Benefits and health insurance
Definitieve berekening
Final benefits calculation
What does Definitieve berekening mean?
A definitieve berekening is the final decision by Dienst Toeslagen on how much allowance you were entitled to for a year. During the year you receive advance payments (voorschotten) based on your estimated income. Once your actual income is known, usually after your tax return is processed, Toeslagen recalculates. The result can be extra money for you, nothing, or a repayment.
Key facts
| Sent by | Dienst Toeslagen |
| Arrives | After your income for the year is known, usually after the tax return |
| Possible outcomes | Extra payment, no change, or repayment |
| Objection deadline | 6 weeks from the date on the letter |
What to do
- Compare the income used in the calculation with your actual income for that year, including your partner's.
- Check the months counted. Arriving or leaving mid-year, or a change of partner, changes which months you were entitled.
- If you must repay, read the terugvordering letter that follows. You can usually pay in instalments.
- If the income or household details are wrong, file a bezwaar within 6 weeks of the date on the letter.
- Update your estimated income for the current year in Mijn toeslagen to avoid the same gap next year.
Worth knowing
Toeslagen counts your income over the whole calendar year. A raise, bonus or new job in the autumn can push you over the limit for the entire year, not just the months after. Update your estimate in Mijn toeslagen the moment your income changes.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my definitieve berekening lower than what I received?
Usually because your actual income was higher than the estimate you gave, or your household changed. Toeslagen calculates on the real annual income, so the advance payments turn out to have been too high.
When do I get the definitieve berekening?
After the Belastingdienst knows your income for the year. If you file a tax return, that usually means after the return is processed. For many people it arrives in the year after the benefit year, sometimes later.
Can I object to a definitieve berekening?
Yes, within 6 weeks of the date on the letter. You can object online through Mijn toeslagen. If the underlying income is wrong, it may also need correcting in your tax assessment.
Read next
Official sources
More Dutch terms: benefits and health insurance
Plain-English explanations of the words on your letters and contracts.