Is my provisional assessment still correct?

Your provisional assessment (voorlopige aanslag) is still correct if your profit (winst) this year stays close to the estimate it is based on; if your profit differs, adjust the assessment via Mijn Belastingdienst. That way you avoid a top-up bill or unnecessarily high instalments. You can find more topics for entrepreneurs on our entrepreneurs hub.

What is a provisional assessment?

A provisional assessment (voorlopige aanslag) is an estimate of your income and tax for the current year, where you pay or receive in monthly instalments. The Belastingdienst bases that estimate on earlier data, so on your expected profit. This way you pay the tax spread across the year, instead of one large amount after the tax year has ended.

When is your provisional assessment no longer correct?

Your provisional assessment is no longer correct once your profit (winst) clearly differs from the estimate it is based on. If you have a better year than expected, you pay too little with the current instalments. If your profit disappoints instead, you pay too much and effectively lend money to the Belastingdienst that you only get back later.

How do you adjust a provisional assessment?

You adjust a provisional assessment via Mijn Belastingdienst, where you update your expected profit and income. The instalments are then automatically recalculated on your new estimate. Do this as soon as you notice your expectation changing, so your monthly amounts match reality again. That way you land closer to the real figure at the end of the year.

What does it cost if you pay too little?

If you pay too little through your provisional assessment, tax interest (belastingrente) can add up on the amount you still have to pay afterwards. Adjusting on time saves that interest, because then you already pay the right amount during the year. Also useful to plan ahead: see when you must file your income tax return.

Can you change the assessment all year round?

Yes, you can change the provisional assessment all year round, so you are not stuck with the estimate from early January. Every time you get a clearer picture of your profit, you can have the assessment adjusted again. If you run into a big change during the year, adjusting is almost always wiser than waiting for the final assessment.

Source: Belastingdienst, belastingdienst.nl. Amounts and conditions are date-sensitive; check the current rules before you decide.

Author: Mariusz Mojka.