The tax return period is back, and 1^st of May deadline is prominently highlighted in the news. But is all the attention on this dreaded date actually justified? And what about the other date we hear about, the 1^st of April?

Do You Need to File a Tax Return for 2024?

If you are required to file a tax return for 2024, you’ve likely already received a letter from the Dutch Tax Authorities (Belastingdienst) inviting you to file your return. The letter specifies the final submission date for your tax return, which depends on the type of tax form you need to complete. Additionally, you may have heard that you can avoid paying interest on your tax assessment by filing your return before the 1^st of April. This interest is often referred to as a penalty or tax increase, raising alarms for many taxpayers.

Filing a Tax Return After the Deadline Is Possible

For all our clients, we request an extension until the 1^st of May 2026. The tax authorities grant extensions to spread the workload throughout the year. As long as your return is submitted by this extended deadline, you will not be fined. We request extensions due to the high volume of returns and processing times, ensuring each tax return gets the attention it deserves.

The shift from the the 1st of April deadline to the 1st of May coincides with the VAT return filing period, creating a challenging workload peak for us as tax filing office, especially since the VAT return deadline is strict and non-negotiable.

No Need to Panic

If you are not yet a client of ours and your tax return has not been submitted by the 1^st of May, you will receive a reminder from the Tax Office. Even after receiving this reminder, there’s no need to worry. No fine will be issued immediately. If you still haven’t filed after the reminder, you’ll receive a formal warning (aanmaning), providing you with additional time to submit. Only after this will a fine be imposed. If you have received a reminder, we can still request an extension for you—but not after receiving a formal warning.

What is important?

The key is to avoid tax interest (belastingrente). This interest is charged if the tax assessment is issued after the 1^st of July and is set at 6,5% for income tax. It begins accruing from the 1^st of July. To prevent this, file your tax return before the 1^st of May.

To avoid rushing your tax return, it’s often wise to estimate your situation and request a provisional tax assessment, which can later be adjusted with the final tax assessment. This is particularly relevant if you expect to owe a substantial amount. For refunds, this interest does not apply (unfortunately, no interest is paid on refunds), and for small payable amounts, the financial impact is negligible.

Tax Return Deadline for M Forms: July 1

The 1^st of May deadline only applies to the standard P form. If you were a resident of the Netherlands for all of 2024, you will need to file a P form. However, if you emigrated from or returned to the Netherlands during 2024, you’ll need to complete an M form, which has a deadline of the 1^st of July.

In some cases, no tax form is issued at all. It is your responsibility to determine whether you owe taxes and request a form if needed. In years of immigration or emigration, refunds are not uncommon, making it worth your time to check this carefully. The M form is a critical filing that changes your tax obligations, so seeking professional advice is highly recommended.

Other Reasons to File Promptly

There are situations where it’s beneficial to file your return promptly, such as when you expect a significant tax payment or refund, or if you need to apply for a mortgage. In these cases, it’s wise to contact us early. We can prioritise your return or request a provisional tax assessment to avoid interest charges.

Conclusion

You will not incur a fine or penalty for filing your return after the deadline, provided extension has been granted. If extension is requested it is important to make a reasonable estimate of your due tax and if necessary, request a provisional assessment. Extension is always possible and easy to arrange unless a formal warning has been issued. A reminder will always precede a warning, so there’s no reason to panic as long as you respond to communications from the tax authorities.

With our expertise, you can rest assured that your tax return will be filed accurately and on time. If you’re not yet a client and want to ensure your (international) tax situation is optimised, we’re here to help.