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  1. Home
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  3. Dutch Tax Credits 2025: Complete Guide to Heffingskortingen

Dutch Tax Credits 2025: Complete Guide to Heffingskortingen

You are viewing information for tax year 2025

These rates are no longer applicable for the current tax year.

Master Dutch tax credits in 2025. Learn how to maximize your arbeidskorting, algemene heffingskorting, IACK, and ouderenkorting to reduce your tax burden.

12 min read
2,100 words
Updated: 2025-12-12

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Methodology & trust

Last reviewed for tax year 2025

2025-12-12

Editorial review

Belastbaar editorial team

How this page is built

  • Built from Dutch tax rules and known rates for 2025.
  • Always confirm personal thresholds, exceptions, and eligibility criteria with the official source.
  • Use the linked calculator to apply the general rules to your own situation.

Sources and verification

  • Tax Administration - Tax Credits
Important note: This guide is informational and does not replace personal tax advice for your specific situation.

Table of Contents

  1. 1.Employment Tax Credit (Arbeidskorting)
  2. 2.General Tax Credit (Algemene Heffingskorting)
  3. 3.Income-Dependent Combination Credit (IACK)
  4. 4.Elderly Tax Credits (Ouderenkorting)
  5. 5.How to Claim Your Tax Credits

1.Employment Tax Credit (Arbeidskorting)

Maximum Credit

€5,599

For income €26,288 - €43,071

Phase-out starts

€43,071

The arbeidskorting (employment tax credit) is the most valuable tax credit for working individuals in the Netherlands. In 2025, you can receive up to €5,599 if your income is between €26,288 and €43,071. This credit is automatically applied by your employer through payroll, but you can claim any unused amount in your annual tax return.

The credit starts at €980 for incomes above €12,169 and increases as your income rises. After reaching the maximum, it gradually phases out for higher earners, reaching zero at incomes above €129,078. If you have multiple employers, ensure only one applies the credit to avoid over-crediting.

Labour Tax Credit 2025 Brackets
Income RangeCredit Amount
€0 - €12,1698.05% of income
€12,169 - €26,288€980 + 30.03%
€26,288 - €43,071€5,599 (max)
€43,071+Decreases 6.51%/€

Practical Tips

This usually doesn’t change your final annual tax, but it can prevent big repayments if you have multiple employers or your income changes during the year.

Action Steps

  • 1.On your payslip, verify whether “loonheffingskorting” is applied
  • 2.If you have multiple employers/income sources, apply it at only one place
  • 3.If you often pay back or get large refunds, consider a provisional assessment (voorlopige aanslag)

Related questions

Part-time workers still receive arbeidskorting proportional to their income. The credit builds up from the first euro earned.

Calculate your net salary

In 2026, the maximum arbeidskorting is expected to be €5,750, with slightly adjusted phase-out thresholds.

2.General Tax Credit (Algemene Heffingskorting)

Maximum Credit

€3,068

For income below €28,406

The algemene heffingskorting (general tax credit) applies to all Dutch tax residents. In 2025, the maximum amount is €3,068, which phases out for incomes above €28,406. The phase-out rate is 6.34%, meaning for every €1,000 above the threshold, you lose approximately €63.

Unlike the arbeidskorting, the general tax credit can be transferred to a fiscal partner who has insufficient income to use it. This makes it valuable for households with one higher-earning partner.

Related questions

Yes, unused general tax credit can be transferred to your fiscal partner through "uitbetaling heffingskorting".

Learn about fiscal partner benefits

3.Income-Dependent Combination Credit (IACK)

The inkomensafhankelijke combinatiekorting (IACK) supports working parents with young children. To qualify in 2025, you must have at least one child under 12 living at your address and earn at least €6,145 from employment.

The maximum credit is €2,986, calculated as 11.45% of income above the minimum threshold. If you're a couple, only the lower-earning partner can claim this credit. Single parents automatically qualify if they meet the income requirement.

Practical Tips

As a working parent with children under 12, you may be eligible for up to [[taxCredits.combinationMax]] in combination credit.

Action Steps

  • 1.Verify you meet the minimum income requirement ([[taxCredits.combinationMinIncome]])
  • 2.Confirm you are the lower-earning partner if married
  • 3.Claim the credit in your annual tax return
  • 4.Consider adjusting your provisional assessment for monthly benefit

4.Elderly Tax Credits (Ouderenkorting)

The ouderenkorting (elderly tax credit) provides additional support for taxpayers who have reached the AOW retirement age. In 2025, the maximum credit is €2,035, available for those with income below €45,308.

Additionally, single elderly taxpayers can receive an extra €531 through the alleenstaande ouderenkorting. These credits recognize the often-fixed income situation of retirees and help reduce their tax burden.

Practical Tips

At 67 you become eligible for elderly tax credits (ouderenkorting). Plan your income transition carefully.

Action Steps

  • 1.Ouderenkorting: up to [[taxCredits.elderlyMax]] for income below [[taxCredits.elderlyPhaseOutStart]]
  • 2.AOW payments are taxed at lower rate (no social premiums)
  • 3.Consider timing of pension withdrawals
  • 4.Check if early retirement affects your credits
  • 5.Alleenstaande ouderenkorting: additional [[taxCredits.singleElderly]] if living alone

As you're 67 or older, you qualify for elderly tax credits up to [[taxCredits.elderlyMax]].

Action Steps

  • 1.Ouderenkorting is automatically applied via pension/AOW
  • 2.Maximum [[taxCredits.elderlyMax]] for income below [[taxCredits.elderlyPhaseOutStart]]
  • 3.Phases out at higher incomes
  • 4.If living alone: additional [[taxCredits.singleElderly]] (alleenstaande ouderenkorting)
  • 5.Check your voorlopige aanslag for correct application

5.How to Claim Your Tax Credits

Most tax credits are automatically applied by your employer or pension provider through the payroll tax system. However, you should always file an annual tax return to ensure you receive your full entitlement.

To claim credits: 1. Verify your employer is applying credits correctly on your payslip 2. File your annual tax return by May 1st 3. Check if your fiscal partner can use any unused credits 4. Consider adjusting your provisional assessment if you expect significant credits

Use our gross-to-net calculator to see exactly how much you'll receive in credits based on your income.

More questions about this topic

Tax credits are automatically calculated when filing your annual tax return. Use our tax filing guide for step-by-step instructions.

Tax Filing Guide 2025

Tax credits reduce your tax liability but do not directly affect toetsingsinkomen (assessment income) used for toeslagen calculations.

Toeslagen Benefits Guide

Calculate It Yourself

Use our free calculators to calculate your personal situation:

Gross To NetToetsingsinkomen

Related Guides

ZZP Tax Deductions Guide
Fiscal Partner Optimization Guide
Dutch Benefits (Toeslagen) Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

The maximum arbeidskorting (employment tax credit) in 2025 is €5,599. You receive this maximum if your income is between €26,288 and €43,071.

The algemene heffingskorting (general tax credit) is maximum €3,068 in 2025 for incomes below €28,406. Above this amount, the credit phases out at 6.34% until it reaches zero at €76,818.

If you have no income but your fiscal partner does, you may be able to transfer unused tax credits (uitbetaling heffingskorting). This applies to the general tax credit and requires filing a joint tax return.

The maximum arbeidskorting increased from €5,532 in 2024 to €5,599 in 2025. The income thresholds were also adjusted upward. Use the year selector above to compare exact amounts.

In 2026, tax credits are expected to be slightly lower due to less-than-full indexation. The exact amounts depend on the Belastingplan 2026. Use our year selector to see preliminary 2026 figures.

Official Sources

Information verified with government websites

  • Tax Administration - Tax Credits

    Official overview of all Dutch tax credits

    www.belastingdienst.nl

Disclaimer

This guide is intended for general informational purposes and does not constitute personal tax advice. Please consult a tax advisor for advice on your specific situation.

View all guides