How is my Box 3 income for 2024 calculated?

Your Box 3 income for 2024 is calculated according to the Overbruggingswetgeving (Bridging Legislation). This means we use the actual distribution of the various types of assets you have, including bank savings, investments and other assets and debts. In the calculation, we use notional rates of return that are close to the actual rates of return. Here you can see what these percentages are and how the calculation works.

Rates of return 2024

In the provisional assessment for 2024, we use notional rates of return that are close to the actual rates of return for your Box 3 income. That is why we use 2 different rates for your assets: one for your bank balances, and another for your investments and other assets. We use a 3rd rate for your debts.

These are the rates of return for 2024:

  • Bank balances: 1.44%

    This only includes the following assets:

    • bank and savings balances in the Netherlands
    • bank and savings balances outside the Netherlands
    • cash in excess of the exemption
    • premium deposits
    • the non-exempt part of your green savings
    • your share in the assets of an owners' association (VvE)
    • an amount of money that you have transferred to the trust account of a civil-law notary
  • Investments and other assets: 6.04%

    This includes investments and all other assets that do not fall under bank balances. This concerns, for example:

    • shares, bonds, securities and other investments
    • the non-exempt part of your green investments
    • other receivables (except receivables between tax partners or between parents and minor children)
    • a 2nd home in the Netherlands
    • a 2nd home outside the Netherlands
    • a home that you rent out
    • other immovable property
    • cryptocurrency
    • a ticket on which a prize has fallen
  • Debts: 2.61%

    This includes all debts that you must declare in Box 3. This concerns, for example:

    • debts for, for example, a car or a holiday
    • negative balance on a bank account
    • debt to finance shares, bonds, securities and other investments
    • debts for a 2nd home or other immovable property (mortgage)
    • debts that you are not allowed to deduct in Box 1
    • an amount of lifelong learning credit that you must repay
    • inheritance tax
    • a debt resulting from a donation on paper (except the debt between tax partners or between parents and minor children)

The complete list of assets and debts you must declare in Box 3 can be found at What are your assets and debts? (only available in Dutch)

Supreme Court ruling

On 6 June 2024, the Supreme Court of the Netherlands (Hoge Raad) ruled (only available in Dutch) that the Wet Rechtsherstel Box 3 and the Overbruggingswetgeving violates the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). If the ruling impacts the calculation of your Box 3 income, you will receive a letter from us.

Calculation of your Box 3 income for 2024

We use your income tax return to calculate your Box 3 income for you, meaning you don't have to do anything yourself. Below, we explain how this calculation works step by step.

  1. Calculate the taxable return

    Use the provisional return rates we mention above to calculate the return per asset type. Assume the value of your assets and debts on 1 January 2024.

    Add the return on bank balances to the return on investments and other assets. Reduce the total by the return on deductible debts. This is your taxable return.

  2. Calculate your capital return tax base

    You must also calculate your capital return tax base. This is your assets minus your debts. You may not deduct your debts in full. Remember to reduce your debts by the threshold (only available in Dutch).

  3. Calculate your basis for savings and investments

    Subtract the tax-free allowance from your capital return tax base (outcome step 2). The outcome is the basis for savings and investments. You may divide the basis if you have a tax partner. Any division is allowed, as long as the total is 100%.

  4. Calculate your share in the capital return tax base

    Divide your share in the basis for savings and investments (outcome step 3) by the capital return tax base (outcome step 2) and multiply it by 100. Round off to 2 decimal points. This percentage is your share of the capital return tax base.

  5. Calculate your income from savings and investments

    Multiply your taxable return (outcome step 1) by this percentage (outcome step 4). The result is your Box 3 income.

  6. Calculate how much tax you must pay in Box 3

    Multiply the tax rate for Box 3 in 2024 (36%) by the income from savings and investments (outcome step 5).

Calculation examples
Select your situation:

  • 2024 calculation example with savings, but without a tax partner

    You have €150,000 in savings. You do not have a tax partner.

    Step 1: calculate the taxable return

    Bank balances: €150,000 × 1.44% = €2,160

    The taxable return is €2,160.

    Step 2: calculate your capital return tax base

    Assets: €150,000

    Deductible debts: €0

    Capital return tax base: €150,000 - €0 = €150,000

    Step 3: calculate the basis for savings and investments

    Subtract the tax-free allowance from your capital return tax base (outcome step 2). That is your basis for savings and investments.

    The tax-free allowance in 2024 is €57,000.

    Basis for savings and investments: €150,000 - €57,000 = €93,000

    Step 4: calculate your share in the capital return tax base

    Divide your share in the basis for savings and investments (outcome step 3) by your capital return tax base (outcome step 2) and multiply the outcome by 100. Round off to 3 decimal points.

    €93,000 ÷ €150,000 × 100 = 62.000%

    Step 5: calculate your income from savings and investments

    The income from savings and investments is your taxable return (outcome step 1) multiplied by your capital return tax base share percentage (outcome step 4).

    €2,160 × 62.00% = €1,339

    Step 6: calculate how much tax you must pay in Box 3

    Multiply the tax rate for Box 3 (36%) by the income from savings and investments (outcome step 5).

    36% × €1,339 = €482 in tax.

  • 2024 calculation example with savings and tax partner

    You have a tax partner. You and your partner have €150,000 in savings combined:

    Step 1: calculate the taxable return

    Bank balances: €150,000 × 1.44% = €2,160

    The taxable return is €2,160.

    Step 2: calculate your capital return tax base

    Assets: €150,000

    Deductible debts: €0

    Capital return tax base: €150,000 - €0 = €332,400

    Step 3: calculate the basis for savings and investments

    Subtract the tax-free allowance from your capital return tax base (outcome step 2). The outcome is your basis for savings and investments.

    The tax-free allowance in 2024 is €57,000 per person, making €114,000 for you and your tax partner combined.

    Basis for savings and investments: €150,400 - €114,000 = €36,000.

    You may divide the basis for savings and investment between you and your tax partner. Any division is permitted, as long as the total is 100%. In this example, you and your tax partner each declare half of the basis for savings and investment, making €18,000 each.

    Step 4: calculate your share in the capital return tax base

    Divide your basis for savings and investments (outcome step 3) by the capital return tax base (outcome step 2) and multiply the outcome by 100. Round off to 3 decimal points.

    Your share: €18,000 ÷ €150,000 × 100 = 12,000%

    The outcome of this calculation is the same for your tax partner.

    Step 5: calculate your income from savings and investments

    The income from savings and investments is your taxable return (outcome step 1) multiplied by your capital return tax base share percentage (outcome step 4).

    €2,160 × 12,000% = €259

    Step 6: calculate how much tax you must pay in Box 3

    Multiply the tax rate for Box 3 in 2024 (36%) by the income from savings and investments (outcome step 5).

    36% × €259 = €93 in tax.

    The outcome of this calculation is the same for your tax partner.

  • 2024 calculation example with various types of assets, and no tax partner

    You have the following assets and debts:

    • €150,000 in savings
    • investments with a value of €75,000
    • a 2nd home outside the Netherlands with a property value (WOZ-waarde) of €200,000
    • a debt of €100,000 for the second home

    Step 1: calculate the taxable return

    Bank balances: €150,000 × 1.44% = €2,160

    Investments and other assets: €75,000 + €200,000 = €275,000 × 6.04% = €16,610.

    When calculating the debt, first subtract the treshold, which is €3,700 per person.

    The deductible debt is: €100,000 - €3,700 = €96,300

    The return on deductible debts is €96,300 × 2.61% = €2,513

    The taxable return is €2,160 + €16,610 - €2,513 = €16,257

    Step 2: calculate your capital return tax base

    Assets: €150,000 + €75,000 + €200,000 = €425,000

    Deductible debt: €96,300

    Capital return tax base: €425,000 - €96,300 = €328,700

    Step 3: calculate the basis for savings and investments
    Subtract the tax-free allowance from your capital return tax base (outcome step 2). That is your basis for savings and investments.

    The tax-free allowance in 2024 is €57,000 per person.

    Basis for savings and investments: €328,700 - €57,000 = €271,700

    Step 4: calculate your share in the capital return tax base
    Divide your basis for savings and investments (outcome step 3) by the capital return tax base (outcome step 2). Multiply the outcome by 100. Round off to 3 decimal points.

    €271,700 ÷ €328,700 × 100 = 82.658%

    Step 5: calculate your income from savings and investments
    The income from savings and investments is the taxable return (outcome step 1) multiplied by the capital return tax base share percentage (outcome step 4).

    Income from savings and investments: €16,257 × 82.658% = €13,437

    Step 6: calculate how much tax you must pay in Box 3
    Multiply the tax rate for Box 3 in 2024 (36%) by the income from savings and investments (outcome step 5).

    36% × €13,437 = €4,837 in tax.

  • 2024 calculation example with various types of assets and tax partner

    You have a tax partner. Combined, you have the following assets and debts:

    • €150,000 in savings
    • investments with a value of €75,000
    • a 2nd home outside the Netherlands with a property value (WOZ-waarde) of €200,000
    • a debt of €100,000 for the second home

    Step 1: calculate the taxable return

    Bank balances: €150,000 × 1.44% = €2,160

    Investments and other assets: €75,000 + €200,000 = €275,000 × 6.04% = €16,610.

    When calculating the debt, first subtract the treshold, which is €3,700 per person. For the both of you combined, that makes €7,400.

    The deductible debt is: €100,000 - €7,400 = €92,600

    The return on deductible debts is €92,600 × 2.61% = €2,417

    The taxable return is €2,160 + €16,610 - €2,417 = €16,353

    Step 2: calculate your capital return tax base

    Assets: €150,000 + €75,000 + €200,000 = €425,000

    Deductible debt: €92,600

    Capital return tax base: €425,000 - €92,600 = €332,400

    Step 3: calculate the basis for savings and investments
    Subtract the tax-free allowance from your capital return tax base (outcome step 2). That is your basis for savings and investments.

    The tax-free allowance in 2024 is €57,000 per person. For the both of you combined, that makes €114,000.

    Basis for savings and investments: €332,400 - €114,000 = €218,400

    You may divide the basis for savings and investment between you and your tax partner. Any division is permitted, as long as the total is 100%. In this example, you and your tax partner each declare half of the basis for savings and investment, making €109,200 each.

    Step 4: calculate your share in the capital return tax base
    Divide your basis for savings and investments (outcome step 3) by the capital return tax base (outcome step 2). Multiply the outcome by 100. Round off to 3 decimal points.

    Your share: €109,200 ÷ €332,400 × 100 = 32.851%

    The outcome of this calculation is the same for your tax partner.

    Step 5: calculate your income from savings and investments
    The income from savings and investments is the taxable return (outcome step 1) multiplied by the capital return tax base share percentage (outcome step 4).

    Income from savings and investments: €16,353 × 32.851% = €5,372

    Step 6: calculate how much tax you must pay in Box 3
    Multiply the tax rate for Box 3 in 2024 (36%) by the income from savings and investments (outcome step 5).

    36% × €5,372 = €1,993 in tax.

  • 2024 calculation example with various types of assets and tax partner

    You have a tax partner. Combined, you have the following assets:

    • €5,000 in savings
    • green investments with a value of €150,000
    • a 2nd home outside the Netherlands with a market value of €200,000

    Step 1: calculate the taxable return

    Bank balances: €5,000 × 1.44% = €72

    Green investments are exempt up to €71,251 per person, making €142,502 for you and your tax partner combined. The value of the green investments is €150,000. This means that the part above €142,502 must be declared as an asset. In this case that is €150,000 - €142,502 = €7,498.

    Investments and other assets: €7,498 + €250,000 = €257,498 × 6.04% = €15,552.

    The taxable return is: €72 + €15,552 = €15,624.

    Step 2: calculate your capital return tax base

    Capital return tax base: €5,000 + €7,498 + €250,000 = €262,498

    Step 3: calculate the basis for savings and investments
    Subtract the tax-free allowance from your capital return tax base (outcome step 2). That is your basis for savings and investments. The tax-free allowance in 2024 is €57,000 per person. For the both of you combined, that makes €114,000.

    Basis for savings and investments: €262,498 - €114,000 = €148,498

    You may divide the basis for savings and investment between you and your tax partner. Any division is permitted, as long as the total is 100%. In this example, you declare all of the basis for savings and investment yourself, totalling €148,498.

    Step 4: calculate your share in the capital return tax base
    Divide your basis for savings and investments (outcome step 3) by the capital return tax base (outcome step 2). Multiply the outcome by 100. Round off to 3 decimal points.

    €148,498 ÷ €262,498 × 100 = 56.571%

    Step 5: calculate your income from savings and investments
    The income from savings and investments is the taxable return (outcome step 1) multiplied by the capital return tax base share percentage (outcome step 4).

    Income from savings and investments: €15,624 × 56.571% = €8,838

    Step 6: calculate how much tax you must pay in Box 3
    Multiply the tax rate for Box 3 in 2024 (36%) by the income from savings and investments (outcome step 5).

    36% × €8,838 = €3,181 in tax.