Hey you there, moving plans? Awesome! But wait a minute… have you thought about your council taxes yet? No? Don't worry, we at Moving.nl are happy to help you on your way. Let's take a look at what changes will happen to your taxes when you pack the boxes and move to a new place.

What are municipal taxes?

You know them, those bills that land on your doorstep every year. Municipal taxes are the way your municipality raises money to keep everything running. Think of:

Real estate tax (OZB) – yes, that's a tongue twister!
Waste levy - so that your garbage bag is neatly collected
Sewerage tax – because no one wants to sit in the poop
Dog tax – in some municipalities you pay for your four-legged friend

Every municipality cooks its own tax soup. Some municipalities throw in a little more spice than others, if you know what we mean.

Moving and municipal taxes: What will change?

Imagine: you have just received the keys to your new palace. Exciting! But what happens to your taxes now? Let's take a look:

Real estate tax (OZB)

The property tax is like a chameleon – it changes with your environment. Are you moving to another municipality? Then your property tax can suddenly look very different. Why? Well:

Each municipality has its own property tax rates. It's like a menu, but less tasty.
Your new home may be worth more or less than your old one. Ka-ching or… ouch?

Please note: the property tax is a bit stubborn. He looks at January 1 of the tax year. So if you move in July, you may still pay property tax in your old municipality. Crazy, huh?

Waste tax and sewerage tax

These two are like a couple: they differ from municipality to municipality. Some municipalities look at the size of your family, others at the value of your house. It's like a lottery, but with taxes.

“Tip from Aunt Emma: arrange your waste tax and sewer tax immediately in your new municipality. Otherwise you will soon be left with a mountain of unopened bills!” – Emma, our tax expert

Dog tax

Do you have a four-legged friend? Then pay attention! Not every municipality levies dog tax. You may suddenly have to pay for your barking friend in your new place of residence. Or not anymore! Life is full of surprises.

Reduction of municipal taxes when moving

Good news! Sometimes you can pay less tax if you move. Sounds good, right? This is especially true if:

You temporarily have two houses (lucky you!)
You move in the middle of the year

How do you request that? Easy:

Call your municipality's tax department (yes, really calling, old-fashioned eh?)
Explain what's going on
Have your paperwork ready (rental contracts, deeds of sale, that sort of thing)

Arranging municipal tax refunds

Suppose you have paid your taxes for the entire year, but you move halfway through the year. Do you get money back? Often! Here's what you can do:

Collect all your paperwork (tax assessments, moving certificate)
Call your old municipality (call again, we know)
Ask how you can get your money back
Submit a request
Wait (patience is a virtue)

Most municipalities arrange this automatically, but it doesn't hurt to keep an eye on it yourself. Because hey, it's your money!

Can I reclaim municipal taxes?

Of course! In many cases you can ask for your money back. For example:

If you have paid in advance but are moving early
If you accidentally paid twice (oops!)
If an error has been made in your tax calculation

But be careful: you have five years to arrange this. So don't rush, but don't wait too long either!

I am moving to another municipality, what now?

So, you're going to take the big step and move to another municipality? Exciting! Here's what you need to do:

Deregister with your old municipality (don't worry, this usually happens automatically)
Register with your new municipality (do this within five days, otherwise you are a criminal)
Ask about the tax rates in your new municipality (are you prepared for surprises)
Arrange a refund with your old municipality (if necessary)
Sign up for new taxes (yes, you have to)

Did you know that tax rates can vary enormously between municipalities? Just look at this example:

Local authority	Property tax (%)	Waste levy (€)	Sewerage tax (€)
Frugal city	0,1	250	180
Middendorp	0,12	220	200
Luxembourg	0,09	280	160

Please note: these are made up numbers. Always check the real rates with your municipality!

I'm moving to another water board, what now?

Oh yes, we almost forgot the water board taxes! If you move to another water board, these will also change. The most important are:

Water system levy (for dikes and ditches)
Purification levy (so you can swim safely)

What should you do?

Report your move to both water boards
Request a refund from your old water board (if possible)
Prepare for new rates (surprises, you know)

Timeline: What should you arrange and when?

We get it, moving is chaos. That's why we've created a handy timeline for you:

2-4 weeks before moving
- Check the tax rates in your new municipality
- Start collecting paperwork (yes, boring, but necessary)
1 week before moving
- Report your move to your current municipality
- Ask how you can get your money back (if possible)
Moving day
- Record your meter readings (water, gas, electricity)
Within 5 days after moving
- Register with your new municipality (otherwise you will receive angry letters)
Within 2 weeks after moving
- Check whether you are registered for the correct taxes
- Request a refund from your old municipality (if necessary)
1-3 months after moving
- Check that you are getting the correct bills
- See if you got your money back (if you had to)

Special situations and their influence on municipal taxes when moving

Life is full of surprises, and that includes taxes. Here are a few special situations:

Moving to a rental property

Good news: you usually don't pay property tax in a rental property! But you cannot avoid:

Waste tax (because you still make mess)
Sewerage tax (in some municipalities)

Moving to an owner-occupied home

Welcome to the world of homeowners! You now pay all municipal taxes, including property tax. NB:

The notary usually settles the property tax between buyer and seller
Check whether this went well (to err is human)

Temporarily two homes

Are you between two houses? This may have consequences for your taxes:

You can be liable for tax in two municipalities (double celebration!)
There are sometimes options for reduction or exemption (ask about it!)

“If you have two houses, talk to both municipalities. There are often schemes that can save your wallet!” – Petra, our moving expert

Frequently asked questions about municipal taxes when moving

Ask: Do I have to pay taxes for the entire month in which I move? Answer: This varies per municipality. Some charge per day, others per month. It's like a lottery, but with taxes.
Ask: Can I object to my tax assessment after moving? Answer: Of course! If you think something is wrong, you have 6 weeks to object. Be quick!
Ask: What if I forget to report my move? Answer: Oops! You will then continue to pay tax at your old address and you may receive a fine. So don't do that!

Tips to save money on municipal taxes when moving

Compare tax rates: If you can choose between municipalities, check the rates. It could save you hundreds of euros!
Request for remission: Are you not that broad? Some municipalities can waive your taxes.
Please note deadlines: Report your move on time. Otherwise you will pay double, and you don't want that.
Check your assessments: Mistakes happen. Check whether everything is correct on your tax bill.
Pay in installments: Many municipalities let you pay in pieces. Good for your wallet!

Are you moving soon? Municipal tax checklist

Use this checklist and you will be the tax king of your new neighborhood:

Report your move (to old and new municipalities)
Check the tax rates in your new place of residence
Request a refund from your old municipality (if possible)
Register for taxes in your new municipality
Keep all papers (tax assessments, proof of move, etc.)
Record your meter readings on moving day
Check your first tax bill in your new municipality
Ask for a reduction or waiver (if you need it)

Stay alert and ask

See? Municipal taxes when moving are not as scary as they seem. Yes, there is a lot involved, but with our tips you are ready for it. Remember: every municipality does it slightly differently. So stay alert and ask if you don't understand something.

Moving is exciting enough. Don't let those taxes cause a headache. With a little preparation and the right information, you will become the master of your own move (and taxes)!

Useful resources and contact information

Would you like to know more? Check these sources:

Do you have any more questions? Just call or email your municipality. They are there to help you!

And don't forget: we at Moving.nl are always there for you. Together we will make your move a success, taxes and all!