Government revises box 3 again under parliamentary pressure
Under the revised plan, the tax-free return threshold will fall from €1,800 to €1,000.
There is news on this story (Friday, 2 October 2026, 19:03): Cabinet rewrites box 3 after fresh Lower House criticism
The government has revised its plans for box 3 again following criticism from the Lower House (Tweede Kamer). As a result, hundreds of thousands of additional savers and investors would start paying tax from 2028, including people with relatively modest assets.
The main change is the reduction of the tax-free return threshold from €1,800 to €1,000. This threshold concerns the return on which no tax is levied, not the size of someone’s savings or investments. According to NOS, the change will therefore affect more people than the government’s earlier proposal.
From 2028, the government wants to introduce a new system in which the actual return on assets is central. For investments, this means, among other things, that increases in value and proceeds will be treated differently from under the current notional system. The bill has been passed by the Lower House, but still has to be considered by the Senate (Eerste Kamer).
The additional tax revenue is intended to help fund the new system. According to NOS, the government expects the measures adopted together could raise almost €500 million more than necessary. How that surplus will be dealt with has not yet been worked out.
The change came about during talks with opposition parties about the budget. Some parties support parts of the budget package but object to the way small savers and investors are affected. It therefore remains uncertain whether the full tax plan will pass both chambers without further amendments.
The government presents the change as an attempt to create a legally robust and affordable system. Opponents argue that people with low returns should not once again be made to foot the bill. The precise effects vary according to the type of assets, returns and tax situation; individual taxpayers cannot yet derive a definitive 2028 assessment from this.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The government amended the proposal following criticism from the Lower House.
- Under the revised plan, the tax-free return threshold will be reduced from €1,800 to €1,000.
- The new box 3 system is intended for 2028, and the Senate still has to consider the bill.
Left
Arguments Taxing assets may be necessary, but small savers should not be treated as if they have the same financial capacity as people with substantial assets. The bill should fall mainly on those who genuinely derive substantial income from assets.
Values Redistribution, protection of financial security and ability to pay.
Consequences A lower threshold could affect households with modest financial buffers and further undermine confidence in the tax system.
Centre
Arguments A tax on actual returns is institutionally more defensible than a notional system that takes no account of real proceeds. The transition must, however, be workable, legally robust and predictable.
Values Legal certainty, practicality and budgetary discipline.
Consequences A compromise could win broad support, but would probably require additional exceptions or transitional rules.
Right
Arguments Assets should not once again be taxed more heavily without a clear need. Savers have often already paid tax on the income with which they built up their financial buffer.
Values Property, self-reliance and a limited government.
Consequences Higher charges could discourage saving and investment and reduce support for long-term government policy.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The key claims are based on NOS and official information about the bill. The final parliamentary outcome and individual financial effects remain uncertain.
- confirmed Under the revised plan, the tax-free return threshold will be reduced from €1,800 to €1,000. — Reported by NOS. source
- confirmed The government is aiming to introduce a new box 3 system from 2028. — Stated by the Dutch government. source
- confirmed The bill has been passed by the Lower House and still has to go to the Senate. — Stated on the official government webpage. source
- confirmed The government expects to raise almost €500 million more than necessary. — Reported by NOS as the government’s expectation. source
Editor's note
The announced change from €1,800 to €1,000 and the intended new system from 2028 are certain. Parliamentary consideration and the precise details of the final tax plan have not yet been completed.Sources
The story so far
- Thursday, 1 October 2026, 13:02 Government revises box 3 again under parliamentary pressure (this article)
- Thursday, 1 October 2026, 19:03 Cabinet wants to spare small savers after all
- Friday, 2 October 2026, 19:03 Cabinet rewrites box 3 after fresh Lower House criticism
More on this in Dutch media
- De Telegraaf — „box 3”
- AD — „box 3”
- de Volkskrant — „box 3”