Calculation examples for actual return

Do you want to report your actual return in Box 3 to us for 1 or more years? But would you like to understand how the calculation works first? On this page, we explain exactly how it works using some calculation examples. In each example, we compare the result of the actual return with the notional return.

The examples below are for the year 2023, but the calculation method applies to every tax year. Would you like to know the percentages we use for the notional return each year? Then take a look at the notional return percentages from 2017 onwards.

Choose a calculation example:

Calculation examples without a tax partner

• Calculation example with only savings (1)

  You have €150,000 in savings. In 2023, you received €3,000 in interest. You do not have a tax partner.

  Step 1: Calculate the actual return on your savings

  Your actual return is the interest you received. You received €3,000 in interest. This means your actual return is €3,000.

  Stap 2: Compare the actual return with the notional return

  Your notional return is €855. You can find this in your 2023 tax return. It is listed there as income from savings and investments (voordeel uit sparen en beleggen).

  The actual return (€3,000) is higher than the notional return (€855). There is no point to filling out the form 'Opgaaf werkelijk rendement' (Submit Actual Return) for you.

• Calculation example with only savings (2)

  You have €150,000 in savings. In 2023, you received €750 in interest on your savings. You do not have a tax partner.

  Step 1: Calculate the actual return on your savings

  The actual return on your savings is the interest you received: €750. This means that your actual return is €750.

  Step 2: Compare the actual return with the notional return

  The notional return is €855. You can find this in your 2023 tax return. It is listed there as income from savings and investments (voordeel uit sparen en beleggen).
  
  The actual return (€750) is lower than the notional return (€855). Filling out the form 'Opgaaf werkelijk rendement' (Submit Actual Return) can be useful for you. You may have to pay less tax or you may even receive a tax refund.

• Calculation example with savings and shares (investments)

  You have the following assets and debts:

  • €100,000 in savings
    In 2023, you received €2,000 in interest on these savings.
  • investments with a value of €150,000 on 1 January 2023
    On 31 December 2023, the investments have a value of €160,000. In 2023, you bought €1,200 worth of shares and sold €3,000 worth of shares. You received €500 in dividend.

  Step 1: Calculate the actual return on your savings

  The actual return on your savings is the interest you received: €2,000. This means that your actual return is €2,000.

  Step 2: Calculate the actual return on your investments

  The actual return on your investments is the dividend you received and the value on 31 December, minus the value on 1 January of that same year. From that amount, subtract the value of the shares you bought in that year. Finally, add the shares you sold in that year.

  So: €500 (dividend received) + €160,000 (value 31 December 2023) − 150,000 (value 1 January 2023) − €1,200 (shares bought) + €3,000 (shares sold) = €12,300.

  This means that the actual return on your investments is €12,300.

  Step 3: Calculate the total actual return

  Now add up the actual return of the different types of assets. That is the interest received on your savings (€2,000) plus the actual return on your investments (€12,300).

  So: €2,000 + €12,300 = €14,300

  Your total actual return is €14,300.

  Step 4: Compare the actual return with the notional return

  Notional return

  The notional return is €7,855. You can find this in your 2023 tax return. It is listed there as income from savings and investments (voordeel uit sparen en beleggen).

  Compare

  Your actual return (€14,300) is higher than the notional return (€7,855). There is no point to filling out the form 'Opgaaf werkelijk rendement' (Submit Actual Return) for you.

Calculation examples with tax partner

• Calculation example with only savings (1)

  You and your tax partner have €350,000 in savings. In 2023, you received €7,000 in interest on your savings.

  Step 1: Calculate the actual return on your savings

  The actual return on your savings is the interest you received. You received €7,000 in interest. This means that your and your partner's actual return is €7,000.

  Step 2: Compare the actual return with the notional return

  Notional return

  The notional return is €1,085 per person. You can find this in your 2023 tax return. It is listed there as income from savings and investments (voordeel uit sparen en beleggen). Your tax partner's income from savings and investments can be found in their tax details.

  Actual return

  The actual return is divided in the same way as you divided the base for savings and investments in your 2023 tax return.

  In the 2023 tax return, you and your tax partner divided the base for savings and investments in the following way: both entered half.

  The actual return on your savings is €7,000 (step 1). Per person, this is €3,500.

  Compare

  Your actual return (€3,500) is higher than the notional return (€1,085). Your tax partner's actual return (€3,500) is higher than the notional return (€1,085).

  There is no point to filling out the form Opgaaf werkelijk rendement (Submit Actual Return) for you.

• Calculation example with only savings (2)

  You and your tax partner have €350,000 in savings. In 2023, you received €1,800 in interest on your savings.

  Step 1: Calculate the actual return on your savings.

  The actual return on your savings is the interest you received. You received €1,800 in interest. This means that your and your partner's actual return is €1,800.
  
  Step 2: Compare the actual return with the notional return

  Notional return

  The notional return is €1,085 per person. You can find this in your 2023 tax return. It is listed there as income from savings and investments (voordeel uit sparen en beleggen). Your tax partner's income from savings and investments can be found in their tax details.

  Actual return

  The actual return is divided in the same way as you divided the base for savings and investments in your 2023 tax return.

  In the 2023 tax return, you and your tax partner divided the base for savings and investments in the following way: each of you entered half.

  The actual return on your savings is €1,800 (step 1). Per person, this is €900

  Compare

  Your actual return (€900) is lower than the notional return (€1,085). Your tax partner's actual return (€900) is lower than the notional return (€1,085).

  Filling out the form 'Opgaaf werkelijk rendement' (Submit Actual Return) can be useful for you and your tax partner. You may have to pay less tax or you may even receive a tax refund.

• Calculation example with savings and shares (investments)

  You and your tax partner have the following assets and debts:

  • €100,000 in savings
    In 2023, you received €2,000 in interest on your savings.
  • investments with a value of €150,000 on 1 January 2023
    On 31 December 2023, the investments have a value of €151,000. In 2023, you and your tax partner did not buy or sell any investments. You and your tax partner also did not receive dividend.

  Step 1: Calculate the actual return on your savings

  The actual return on your savings is the interest you received. You received €2,000 in interest. This means that your and your partner's actual return is €2,000.

  Step 2: Calculate the actual return on your investments

  The actual return on your investments is the value on 31 December minus the value on 1 January of the same year.

  So: €151,000 (value on 31 December 2023) − €150,000 (value on 1 January 2023) = €1,000.

  This means that the actual return on your investments is €1,000.

  Step 3: Calculate the total actual return

  Add up the actual return of the interest you received on your savings (€2,000) and the increase in value of your investments (€1,000)

  So: €2,000 + €1,000 = €3,000.

  Your and your tax partner's total actual return is €3,000.

  Step 4: Compare the actual return to the notional return

  Notional return

  The notional return is €5,535. You can find this in your 2023 tax return. It is listed there as income from savings and investments (voordeel uit sparen en beleggen). Your tax partner's income from savings and investments can be found in their tax details.

  Actual return

  The actual return is divided in the same way as you divided the base for savings and investments in your 2023 tax return.

  In the 2023 tax return, you and your tax partner divided the base for savings and investments in the following way: you entered the entire amount, your partner €0.

  The total actual return is €3,000 (step 4).

  Compare

  Your actual return (€3,000) is lower than the notional return (€5,535). Filling out the form Opgaaf werkelijk rendement (Submit Actual Return) can be useful for you. You may have to pay less tax or you may even receive a tax refund.

• Calculation example with savings, investments and debt

  You and your tax partner have the following assets and debts :

  • €100,000 in savings
    In 2023, you received €2,000 in interest on your savings.
  • investments with a value of €150,000 on 1 January 2023
    On 31 December 2023, the investments have a value of €160,000. In 2023, you bought €1,200 worth of shares and sold €3,000 worth of shares. You and your tax partner received €700 in dividend.
  • a debt of €50,000
    In 2023, you and your tax partner paid €3,000 in interest on this debt.

  Step 1: Calculate the actual return on your savings

  The actual return on your savings is the interest you received. You received €2,000 in interest. This means that your and your partner's actual return is €2,000.

  Step 2: Calculate the actual return on your investments

  The actual return on your investments is the interest you received and the value of the investments on 31 December minus the value on 1 Januari of that same year. Subtract the value of the shares you bought and add the value of the shares you sold in that same year.

  So: €700 (dividend received) + €160,000 (value on 31 December 2023) − €150,000 (value on 1 January 2023) − €1,200 (shares bought) + €3,000 (shares sold) = €12,500.

  This means that the actual return on your investments is €12,500.

  Step 3: Calculate the actual return on your debts

  You and your tax partner paid €3,000 in interest on your debts. You do not have to take into account the threshold for your debts. The actual return on your debts is - €3,000.

  Step 4: Calculate the total actual return

  Add up the actual return of the different types of assets:

  The interest you received on your savings (€2,000) plus the value of your investments (€12,500). Subtract the interest your paid on your debts (€3,000).

  So: €2,000 + €12,500 − €3,000 = €11,500

  Your and your tax partner's total actual return is €11,500.

  Step 5: Compare the actual return with the notional return

  Notional return

  The notional return is €4,088. You can find this in your 2023 tax return. It is listed there as income from savings and investments (voordeel uit sparen en beleggen). Your tax partner's income from savings and investments can be found in their tax details.

  Actual return

  The actual return is divided in the same way as you divided the base for savings and investments in your 2023 tax return.

  In the 2023 tax return, you and your tax partner divided the base for savings and investments in the following way: you entered the entire amount, your partner € 0.

  The total actual return is €11,500 (step 4).

  Compare

  Your actual return (€11,500) is higher than the notional return (€4,088). There is no point to filling out the form 'Opgaaf werkelijk rendement' (Submit Actual Form) for you.

• Calculation example with savings, investments and a rental property

  You and your tax partner have the following assets:

  • €150,000 in savings
    In 2023, you received €2,000 in interest on these savings.
  • investments with a value of €75,000 on 1 January 2023
    On 31 December 2023, the investments have a value of €77,000. In 2023, you and your tax partner did not buy or sell any investments. You and your tax partner also did not receive dividend.
  • a 2nd home in the Netherlands you are renting out for the entire year
    You are renting out the home for €1,500 per month. This includes a €200 contribution for service costs. The value of the home on 1 January 2023 was €200,000. On 31 December 2023, it was €205,000. For the value on 1 January 2023, use the WOZ-value ('WOZ-waarde') with reference date 1 January 2022. This is listed on the WOZ decision ('WOZ beschikking') you received from the municipality in 2023. For the value on 31 December 2023, use the WOZ-value with reference date 1 January 2023. This is listed on the WOZ decision you received from the municipality in 2024.

  Step 1: Calculate the actual return on your savings

  The actual return on your savings is the interest you received. You received €2,000 in interest. This means that your and your partner's actual return is €2,000.

  Stap 2: Calculate the actual return on your investments

  The actual return on your investments is the value on 31 December minus the value on 1 January of the same year.

  So: €77,000 (value on 31 December 2023) − €75,000 (value on 1 January 2023) = €2,000

  This means that the actual return on your investments is €2,000.

  Step 3: Calculate the actual return on your 2nd home

  The actual return on your second home is the base rent you received. Add the WOZ-value of 31 December to that, minus the WOZ-value on 1 January.

  We start with the base rent. The rent includes a monthly contribution to the service costs. This amount must be subtracted from the rent to find the base rent. The base rent per month is €1,500 − €200 = €1,300. Multiply it by 12.

  The total base rent is: €1,300 × 12 = €15,600

  Add to this the difference between the WOZ-value on 31 December minus the value on 1 January.

  So: €205,000 (value on 31 december 2023) − €200,000 (value on 1 January 2023) = €5,000.

  This means that the actual return on your second home is €15,600 + €5,000 = €20,600.

  Step 4: Calculate the total actual return

  Add up the total return of the different types of assets.

  The interest you received on your savings (€2,000) plus the increase in value of your investments (€2,000) and the return on your 2nd home (€20,600).

  So: €2,000 + €2,000 + €20,600 = €24,600

  Your and your partner's total actual return is €24,600.

  Step 5: Compare the actual return with the notional return

  Notional return

  The notional return is €6,713 per person. You can find this in your 2023 tax return. It is listed there as income from savings and investments (voordeel uit sparen en beleggen). Your tax partner's income from savings and investments can be found in their tax details.

  Actual return

  The actual return is divided in the same way as you divided the base for savings and investments in your 2023 tax return.

  In the 2023 tax return, you and your tax partner divided the base for savings and investments in the following way: both entered half.

  The total actual return is €24,600 (step 5). Per person, this is €12,300.

  Compare

  Your actual return (€12,300) is higher than the notional return (€6,713). Your tax partner's actual return (€12,300) is higher than the notional return (€6,713).

  There is no point to filling out the form 'Opgaaf werkelijk rendement' (Submit Actual Return) for you.

• Calculation example with savings, investments, a 2nd home for personal use and debt

  You and your tax partner have the following assets and debts:

  • €150,000 in savings
    In 2023, you received €2,000 in interest on your savings.
  • investments with a value of €75,000 on 1 January 2023
    On 31 December 2023, the investments have a value of €77,000. In 2023, you and your tax partner did not buy or sell any investments. You and your tax partner also did not receive dividend.
  • a 2nd home in the Netherlands for personal use
    The value on 31 January 2023 was €200,000. The value on 31 December 2023 was €205,000. For the value on 1 January 2023, use the WOZ-value ('WOZ-waarde') with reference date 1 January 2022. This can be found in the WOZ decision ('WOZ-beschikking') you received from the municipality in 2023. For the value on 31 December 2023, use the WOZ value with reference date 1 January 2023. This can be found in the WOZ decision you received from the municipality in 2024.
  • a debt of €100,000 for the 2nd home
    In 2023, you paid €5,000 interest on this debt.

  Step 1: Calculate the actual return on your savings

  The actual return on your savings is the interest you received. You received €2,000 in interest. This means that your and your partner's actual return is €2,000.

  Step 2: Calculate the actual return on your investments

  The actual return on your investments is the value on 31 December minus the value on 1 January of the same year.

  So: €77,000 (value on 31 December 2023) − €75,000 (value on 1 January 2023) = €2,000

  This means that the actual return on your investments is €2,000.

  Step 3: Calculate the return on your 2nd home

  The actual return on your 2nd home is the value on 31 December 2023 minus the value on 1 January 2023.

  So: €205,000 (value on 31 December 2023) − €200,000 (value on 1 januari 2023) = €5,000.

  This means that the actual return on your 2nd home is €5,000.

  Step 4: Calculate the actual return on your debts

  You paid €5,000 in interest on your debts. This means that the actual return on your debts is − €5,000.

  Step 5: Calculate the total actual return

  Add up the actual return of the different types of assets:

  The interest you received on your savings (€2,000) plus the increase in value of your investments (€2,000) and the increase in value of your 2nd home (€5,000). Subtract the interest you paid on your debts (€5,000).

  So: €2,000 + €2,000 + €5,000 − €5,000 = €4,000

  This means that your and your tax partner's total actual return is €4,000.

  Step 6: Compare the actual return to the notional return

  Notional return

  The notional return is €5,268 per person. You can find this in your 2023 tax return. It is listed there as income from savings and investments (voordeel uit sparen en beleggen). Your tax partner's income from savings and investments can be found in their tax details.

  Actual return

  The actual return is divided in the same way as you divided the base for savings and investments in your 2023 tax return.

  In the 2023 tax return, you and your tax partner divided the base for savings and investments in the following way: both entered half.

  The total actual return is €4,000 (step 5). Per person, this is €2,000

  Compare

  Your actual return (€2,000) is lower than the notional return (€5,268). Your tax partner's actual return (€2,000) is lower than the notional return (€5,268).

  Filling in the form 'Opgaaf werkelijk rendement' (Submit Actual Return) may be useful for you and your tax partner. You may have to pay less tax or you may even receive a tax refund.

What is the actual return?

Find out how the actual return works.