Toeslagen meaning: zorgtoeslag, huurtoeslag and more explained

de toeslag noun (plural: toeslagen) = benefit, allowance

A toeslag is money from the government to help with your rent, healthcare or childcare. Here are the four toeslagen, the Dutch words on your letters, real sentences and a short game.

Toeslagen meaning in English

  1. benefit, allowance โ€” money you get from the government to help with the costs of your rent, healthcare and childcare
  2. surcharge, premium, extra charge โ€” in other contexts, e.g. a toeslag on a ticket

Source: Wiktionary: toeslag ยท Belastingdienst: Wat zijn toeslagen?

HuurtoeslagA contribution towards the rent you pay.Source: Belastingdienst
ZorgtoeslagA contribution towards the cost of your health insurance.Source: Belastingdienst
KinderopvangtoeslagA contribution towards the cost of childcare.Source: Belastingdienst
Kindgebonden budgetA contribution for parents towards the costs of children under 18.Source: Belastingdienst
Advance, then finalYou get toeslag as an advance during the year. Later a final calculation shows whether you get more or have to pay some back.Source: Belastingdienst
ObjectingYou can object (bezwaar maken) within 6 weeks of the date of the letter.Source: Belastingdienst โ€“ Bezwaar maken

Toeslag in real Dutch sentences

  • Hoe vraag ik toeslag aan?How do I apply for a benefit?
  • Dan stopt zijn toeslag.Then his benefit stops. (if he doesn't return the form)
  • Ik ben het niet eens met de beslissing over mijn toeslag.I don't agree with the decision about my benefit.
  • Dan kun je bezwaar maken. Dat moet binnen zes weken.Then you can object. That has to be within six weeks.
  • Het belastingstelsel is complex geworden door de vele toeslagen en aftrekposten.The tax system has become complex because of the many benefits and deductions.

How to use these toeslagen words

Toeslagen meaning in practice: four different benefits, each for one kind of cost: rent, health insurance, childcare and the costs of children under 18.

Useful words when you read about toeslagen are in the list on this page: voorschot (advance), wijziging (change), doorgeven (to report), beslissing (decision) and terugbetalen (to pay back).

To ask how to apply, say Hoe vraag ik toeslag aan? If you disagree with a decision, you can object: bezwaar maken, within six weeks of the date of the letter (source: Belastingdienst).

Disagree with a decision?: You can object (bezwaar maken) within 6 weeks of the date of the letter.

Practise it

A short game: listen, choose the meaning, fill the gap and build a sentence.

DutchEnglish
de toeslagbenefit, allowance
de zorgtoeslaghealthcare allowance
de huurtoeslagrent benefit
de kinderopvangtoeslagchildcare benefit
het voorschotadvance payment
terugbetalento repay, to pay back
de wijzigingchange
doorgevento pass on, to report
de beslissingdecision

Frequently asked questions

What are toeslagen?

Money from the Dutch government to help with the costs of your rent, healthcare and childcare (source: Belastingdienst).

Which toeslagen are there?

Huurtoeslag (rent), zorgtoeslag (health insurance), kinderopvangtoeslag (childcare) and kindgebonden budget (children under 18).

Do I have to pay toeslag back?

Possibly. You get an advance during the year; the final calculation later shows whether you get more or have to pay some back (source: Belastingdienst).

How long do I have to object to a toeslag decision?

6 weeks from the date of the letter (source: Belastingdienst).

What is the toeslagen meaning in English?

Toeslagen are benefits or allowances: money from the government towards your rent, health insurance, childcare or the costs of children under 18 (source: Belastingdienst).

Keep learning

Example sentences from The Dutch Daily lessons; word meanings checked against Wiktionary.