🐷 Category 1

Bank Savings & Cash

This is generally the "safe" money. Because the returns on savings are typically low, the government applies a much lower deemed return rate compared to investments.

What falls under this category?

  • Savings Accounts: Regular savings accounts at banks.
  • Checking Accounts: The balance on your payment accounts.
  • Cash: Physical cash above the small exemption threshold (approx €600).
  • Foreign Accounts: Savings in non-Dutch banks.

How is it calculated?

The tax office determines a deemed return rate (fictief rendement) that is meant to reflect the average interest rate on savings for that year.

Recent Rates:

  • 2023: 0.92%
  • 2024: 1.03% (Provisional)
  • 2025: 1.44% (Provisional)

Note: These provisional rates are often updated retroactively to match the actual average interest rates of the year.

Official Links

Belastingdienst: Bank balances and savings