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Gift and inheritance tax in the Netherlands

Gift and inheritance tax in the Netherlands

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Any person who lives or has lived in the Netherlands can be liable to the Dutch gift and inheritance tax. In this article, Taxsight explains how gift and inheritance tax in the Netherlands are applied.

Gift and inheritance tax in the Netherlands

Gift tax in the Netherlands is applicable on a gift made by any Dutch resident to another person. It does not matter whether the person who receives the gift lives in or outside the Netherlands.

Inheritance tax applies when a Dutch resident passes away. Dutch inheritance tax also applies when the beneficiaries live outside the Netherlands.

The Dutch gift and inheritance taxes can also apply if a person was formerly resident of the Netherlands. Other situations where Dutch gift or inheritance taxes could apply include:

  • A Dutch citizen makes a gift or passes away within 10 years after moving out of the Netherlands
  • A person with any other citizenship makes a gift within one year after leaving the Netherlands

Gift and inheritance tax rates

The general gift and inheritance tax rates are the same. The rates are:

  • Children and partners: 10 percent up to 128.750 euros and 20 percent on the surplus
  • Grandchildren: 18 percent up to 128.750 euros and 36 percent on the surplus
  • Any other person: 30 percent up to 128.751 euros and 40 percent on the surplus

Gift and inheritance tax exemptions

There are several gift and inheritance tax exemptions that can apply. Below we outline the exemptions for the gift tax, as well as for the inheritance tax.

General gift tax exemptions

The general gift tax exemption to any person is 3.244 euros (2021). The general gift tax exemption can be used every year.

The general gift tax exemption between parents and children is 6.604 euros (2021). The exemption is applicable every year. Therefore, a parent can make a gift on an annual basis.

Additional exemptions between parents and children

In addition to the general gift tax exemption, parents can make an extra tax-free gift to children that are aged between 18 and 40.

The following additional exemptions can be claimed only once in a lifetime:

  • A parent can grant an amount of 26.881 euros under the higher gift tax exemption once in a lifetime.
  • The exemption of 26.881 euros can be increased up to 55.996 euros under the condition that the gift will be used for an expensive study.

Gift tax exemption for the purchase of a primary residency

Any person can grant a relative or non-relative between the ages of 18 and 40 an amount of 105.302 euros free of gift tax, under the condition that the gift will be used for:

  • The purchase of a home that will become a primary residence
  • Repayment of a loan on a home which is a primary residence
  • The renovation of a home that is considered a primary residence

Inheritance tax exemptions

The inheritance tax exemptions in the Netherlands are as follows:

  • 21.282 euros on inheritances from parents to children / grandchildren
  • 2.208 euros on inheritances from any other person
  • 671.910 euros between tax partners
  • 50.397 euros on inheritance from children to their parents
  • 63.836 euros from parents to their child who has a disability

Gift and inheritance tax on businesses

In the case of a gift or inheritance of a business, there are special rules and tax exemptions. Some of the conditions for exemption are:

  • It concerns an active business and not a passive business
  • The previous owner should have the company for at least five years in case of a gift and at least one year in case he passes away
  • The person who has taken over the business should remain owner of the business for at least five years.

On top of the gift or inheritance tax exemption, the potential income tax can be passed through to the new owner.

Need any help with gift or inheritance tax or any other tax situation? Contact Taxsight for experienced and reliable tax advice.

Mohamed Kaddour

Author

Mohamed Kaddour

Mohamed Kaddour is a tax advisor at Taxsight. Taxsight provides tax services for professionals in the Netherlands. Taxsight can help if you are planning to move to the Netherlands, just...

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COMMENTS

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TommasoCortese2 12:56 | 10 November 2021

Hi Mohamed, great article! What about expats who live in the Netherlands that receive gifts from their family that live in another country? Will they have to pay taxes? Thank you

MohamedKaddour 11:56 | 11 November 2021

Hi Tommaso, If you live in the Netherlands and receive a gift from outside the Netherlands, in general the gift tax of that other country applies.

IvanMashey2 07:26 | 7 February 2022

I have a question to a previous comment. What if you became a Dutch citizen but you parents are not. What is the max help/gift can you get from your family abroad without or with tax?

MohamedKaddour 10:10 | 7 February 2022

Dear Ivan, Thank you for your comment. This depends on whether person who makes the gift has lived previously in the Netherlands. If that is not the case it should not be a problem. For case specific questions I recommend to contact us via https://taxsight.nl/contact/

RoxaneHentz2 07:17 | 13 February 2022

Hi Mohamed, I'm French but reside in the Netherlands. I will receive a monetary gift from one of my parent +30K EUR In France, this is exonerated from taxes. Do I need to declare this gift to the Belastingdienst? This will be transferred by international wire to my Dutch bank account. Do I need to provide any explanation to my bank? Thanks.

Diana Stefan 13:28 | 31 December 2022

Hello. I have a friend who is Dutch and has recently recived the tax gift from her (dutch) parents meant for buying a house. As she is soon considering moving to Brussels, we would like to know, if you could help us with an answer: 1. Can she instead of buying a house in the Netherlands, buy a house in Belgium, while also benefiting from the tax exemption on the first 100k (the gift tax)? 2. How long does she need to live in the aparment bought trough this specific tax exemption and have it as a permanent residency, to respect the legislation? Thank you!