The income-tax rates in Box 1 for taxpayers under 67, effective from 2026, are:
| Taxable income | 2025 | Taxable income | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| €0 - €38.441 | 35,82% | €0 - €38.883 | 35,7% |
| €38.441 - €76.817 | 37,48% | €38.883 - €79.137 | 37,56% |
| > €76.817 | 49,5% | > €79.137 | 49,5% |
Box 3 rate remains unchanged at 36%.
The tax-free allowance for Box 3
Assets will be reduced from €57,684 to €51,396 from 1 January 2026. Fiscal partners benefit from a combined exemption of €102,792.
The deemed return on “other assets”
For example, portfolio investments will rise to 7.78% in 2026, implying an effective levy of 2.80% on their value as of 1 January 2026.
Green investments
The exemption will be set at €26,715 in 2026 but drops to €200 in 2027 and is abolished entirely in 2028. Thus this tax benefit effectively is abolished by 2027.
"}},{"componentType":"accordion","accordionList":[{"title":"Rebuttal Provision (‘Wet Tegenbewijsregeling’)","richBody":{"value":"Under the rebuttal provision (‘Wet Tegenbewijsregeling’), you may demonstrate that your actual return on Box 3 assets is lower than the deemed return. However, a widely publicised scheme involving bonds with embedded coupons will be blocked by new legislation.
"}},{"title":"Extension of the inheritance-tax filing deadline","richBody":{"value":"The period for submitting inheritance-tax returns will be extended from eight to twenty months, with interest on any unpaid tax accruing only after twenty months from the date of death.
"}}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Real Estate"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Mortgage interest deduction
From 2026, mortgage interest on owner-occupied home loans in Box 1 may be deducted at 37.56% (2025: 37.48%), matching the second income-tax bracket in Box 1.
Transfer tax on investor-owned residential property reduced to 8%
As announced on Budget Day 2024, the transfer tax for investor-owned homes will fall from 10.4% to 8% from 1 January 2026. This rate only applies only to properties not used as one’s primary residence. Delaying the intended purchase of a residential property that will be rented out until 2026 could be advantageous.
First-time buyer exemption on principal residences
When you buy a home to live in as your main residence, the transfer tax remains 2%. The first-time buyer threshold, for purchasers aged 18–35 years, rises from €525,000 to €555,000. This relief is available once in a lifetime and may also apply if you plan to donate or sell a home to your child, provided that all requirements are met.
"}},{"componentType":"accordion","accordionList":[{"title":"Vacant-value ratio","richBody":{"value":"For rented properties subject to tenant-protection rules, valuation in Box 3 and under the Inheritance Act is based on the WOZ value, adjusted by the vacant-value ratio. If a property’s market value is at least 10% below the adjusted WOZ value, you may use that lower market value.
"}},{"title":"Renting to family at below-market rent","richBody":{"value":"From 2026, you may no longer apply the vacant-value ratio to a home let to a relative at non-market rent, nor rely on the lower market-value alternative described above.
"}},{"title":"VAT on property investment services","richBody":{"value":"From 1 January 2026, entrepreneurs must monitor the VAT deduction on certain real estate-services (such as renovations and major maintenance) exceeding €30,000 over a five-year period. If the building’s use changes within that period, for example from short-stay letting to regular letting, you may need to repay part of the VAT previously reclaimed.
"}}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Entrepreneurs"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Box 2 rates
Will remain unchanged from 2025. The income threshold will be adjusted for inflation, rising from €67,804 to €68,843 in 2026. Do you have a fiscal partner? Then you can both use the low box 2 rate twice.
| Taxable income | 2026 |
|---|---|
| €0 - €68.843 | 24,5% |
| > €68.843 | 31% |
The rates will remain the same as in 2025:
| Taxable income | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| €0 - €200.000 | 19% | 19% |
| > €200.000 | 25,8% | 25,8% |
Based on this calculation, the effective tax burden for box 2/corporate income tax in 2026 will be:
| VPB | 19% | 25,8% | 19% | 25,8% |
| Box 2 | 24,5% | 24,5% | 31% | 31% |
| 38,85% | 43,98% | 44,11% | 48,8% |
As an income-tax entrepreneur, you can still claim a small-business profit exemption of 12.70% in 2026. However, the self-employed deduction will be reduced further, to €1,200 in 2026 (down from €2,470 in 2025).
"}},{"title":"Business succession (‘BOR’)","richBody":{"value":"If you plan to transfer your business to the next generation in a tax-efficient manner, note that the rules for Business Succession Scheme (BOR) change in 2026. These amendments have been announced previously. For more details, read our article on the new succession scheme.
"}}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Other Measures"},{"componentType":"accordion","accordionList":[{"title":"Water supply tax","richBody":{"value":"The current cap of 300 m³ on mains-water tax will be phased out gradually, affecting water bills for both domestic and business users.
"}},{"title":"Air travel tax","richBody":{"value":"From 2027, air travel tax will be charged by flight distance rather than a flat rate. The existing €29.40 per flight will give way to a three-tier structure, with long-haul journeys over 5,500 km incurring €70.86.
"}}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Want to know more?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Would you like more information, or do you want to know how Prinsjesdag (Budget Day) affects you specifically? Then schedule a non-binding appointment with one of our advisors.
"}},{"componentType":"cta","textLink":{"url":"/en/personal/savings-and-investing/afspraak-vermogen-en","text":"Make an appointment"}}]}}}