Wealth Tax (Deemed Return Tax)
The wealth tax (vermogensrendementsheffing) is the tax you pay on your assets in box 3. The tax authorities don't use your actual return, but calculate a deemed return based on the composition of your wealth: savings, investments, and debts each get their own deemed return percentage. You pay a flat rate of 36% (2025) on the calculated deemed return. After a Supreme Court ruling in 2021, the system was adjusted: the deemed return on savings was lowered, and from 2027 a new system based on actual returns will be introduced. Until then, the current transitional rules apply.
Example
You have €200,000 in investments and €50,000 in debts. After subtracting the tax-free allowance (€57,000), €143,000 in net assets is taxed. The deemed return on investments is approximately 6.04% (2025). That gives a deemed return of €8,637. You pay 36% on this = €3,109 in tax.
Why does this matter?
Do you have assets above the exemption? Then it's important to understand how the wealth tax works. The split between savings and investments makes a big difference – the deemed return on savings is much lower than on investments. Also consider whether filing an objection makes sense if your actual return was lower.