Does the Netherlands tax citizen's wealth?

Question

This question implies that the Netherlands government taxes citizens' wealth year after year; even well beyond it originally being earned by the citizen. Is that true?

Answer 1

The Netherlands has what is known as the "Box 3" tax that is somewhat like a tax on net wealth. Net assets are treated as if they yield 4% and are then taxed at 30%. This results in a effective tax rate of 1.2% on net assets.

This page from KPMG delves further into Box 3 taxation:

Box 3 deals with capital income, that is, income from savings and investments. Taxable income is determined on the basis of a deemed return on capital. This deemed return is a percentage of the total value of assets and liabilities on 1 January of the tax year. The deemed percentage is applied after deduction of an exempt amount (EUR 30.000 per taxpayer). It is emphasized that the taxable income is computed without regard to the actual income received. Thus, if actual income exceeds the deemed percentage, no tax is due on the excess. Conversely, there is no reduction in tax if actual income is less than the deemed percentage. The deemed income is taxed at 30 percent. For these purposes, assets include not only money, shares, bonds, and tangible assets (such as a second house) but also any intangible assets, which have an economic value. The latter could include, for example, permits, licenses, and patents. Non-qualifying annuities are taxed in Box 3. Depending on the circumstances, rights arising under trusts may be covered by Box 3.

Answer 2

I think you will find that the Netherlands doesn’t tax citizens but residents. I think the USA is the only country that taxes its citizens even when they haven’t been in the USA for many years.