The Dutch property tax system
In short
In the Dutch property tax system, municipalities are responsible for the yearly assessment of all real estate in The Netherlands. The assessed values are used by various governmental bodies to levy taxes. The Netherlands Council for Real Estate Assessment (Waarderingskamer) provides oversight and sets quality standards for the assessed values.
In the following pages, we would like to give you some insights into how the Dutch property tax system works, explain the legislation behind the system, and dive deeper into presentations and publications created by the Council.
Legislation: The Act for Real Estate Assessment
In 1995, The Act for Real Estate Assessment (Wet WOZ) came into force. This legislation serves as the formal base for the Dutch property tax system as it exists today. The law stipulates that residential and non-residential properties undergo valuation for tax assessment purposes. Municipalities bear the responsibility for this valuation process, while the Netherlands Council for Real Estate Assessment (Waarderingskamer) oversees its correctness. Municipalities are responsible for a correct valuation within their jurisdiction.
The Act for Real Estate Assessment
There is an non-official translation of the Act for Real Estate Assessment available.
The Netherlands Council for Real Estate Assessment
The Netherlands Council for Real Estate Assessment is an independent organization tasked with supervising and monitoring property valuation. If municipalities fail to meet the minimum quality standards set by the organization, the municipal council is initially held accountable. In extreme cases where necessary improvements are not implemented, the Minister of Finance may decide to assign the execution of this Act to another party instead of the municipality. The council serves as both an oversight agency and a center of knowledge and expertise in the field of real estate valuation and property taxation.
Publications and presentations
To share knowledge and learn from other countries, the Netherlands Council for Real Estate Assessment conducts research and participates in various international events on the topic of property valuation.