More and more expats are discovering Alkmaar as a sought-after destination, with its rich cultural heritage and excellent quality of life. Whether you’ve recently embraced Alkmaar as your new hometown or are contemplating it, join Daniela Stoyanova from Crown Relocations as she navigates the essential elements of what makes Alkmaar great.

Gain inspiration for your new life in Alkmaar. Nestled in the heart of North Holland, Alkmaar offers an alluring haven for expats and tourists alike. Here are six of the things that make Alkmaar stand out from other Dutch towns and cities:

1. The Waag  Taking centre stage is Alkmaar’s iconic Waag, or Weighing House, a historical edifice with origins dating back to the 14th century. It houses the local tourist office and the Dutch Cheese Museum. Symbolising the city’s vibrant market and commerce, the Waag boasts distinctive architecture and has played an integral role in Alkmaar’s rich history. The Waag is a must-see, offering a fascinating glimpse into the unique narrative of this charming city and attracting thousands of visitors, especially during the Alkmaar Cheese Market which takes place from spring until early autumn each year.

2. The Grote Kerk (Great Church)Immerse yourself in Alkmaar’s history by exploring the magnificent Grote Kerk, a soaring church that has stood as a testament since the 15th century. As you ascend its heights, panoramic views unveil the architectural grandeur and cultural significance embedded in every stone. The Grote Kerk is a historic landmark and a living tapestry of Alkmaar’s journey through the ages.  

3. Culinary delights Alkmaar’s culinary scene extends beyond its renowned cheese market. Wander through the centuries-old streets to discover charming cafes and traditional Dutch eateries to get a feel for the local food culture. Each culinary stop tells a unique story, from the artisanal craftsmanship of cheese makers to the time-honoured recipes gracing the tables. Alkmaar’s food scene is a diverse journey through flavours, textures, and a rich tapestry of gastronomic traditions.  

4. AZ Alkmaar FCIn the realm of sports, Alkmaar is proud to call AZ Alkmaar its own, a football club steeped in history and passion. The club plays in the Eredivisie, the highest professional football league in the Netherlands. Attend a match at Alkmaar’s AFAS Stadium where you’re bound to explore the club’s legacy intertwined with the community’s heart. The football fervour that permeates Alkmaar is more than a game – it’s a shared experience uniting football fans from far and wide.  

5. Stedelijk Museum AlkmaarEmbark on a cultural escapade at the Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar, a treasure trove unveiling the city’s artistic and historical heritage. Explore the exhibits as you gain profound insights into Alkmaar’s vibrant tapestry. From masterpieces to artefacts, the museum serves as a living testament to the city’s creative spirit and role in shaping Dutch culture.  

6. Discovering Alkmaar’s charmsTraverse Alkmaar’s historic landmarks, from cobblestone streets to enchanting hidden corners, where tales of the past echo. Embrace cultural offerings, whether an art exhibition or a live performance, as Alkmaar seamlessly blends tradition with modernity. Whether you’re a new resident settling in or a weekend explorer, Alkmaar extends a warm welcome, transcending its physical boundaries.  

Should your journey lead you to consider making Alkmaar your home, Crown Relocations is your ally. Beyond the charming facade of the city, Crown Relocations is here to provide comprehensive support, ensuring your transition is smooth and filled with the anticipation of discovering all that Alkmaar has to offer. Their detailed city guides are crafted to be your companion, unveiling the layers of Alkmaar’s charm and practicalities and making your move a seamless and informed experience. 

Doing your Dutch taxes can be a confusing process, especially if you have just started working in the Netherlands. PSM Consultancy breaks down everything you need to know about Dutch income tax.

Many expats who work in the Netherlands may be subject to Dutch income tax. Whether or not you must pay depends on a few factors. 

First, let’s define Dutch income tax:

What is the Dutch income tax return?The Dutch income tax return (inkomstenbelasting) is a formal process through which individuals in the Netherlands declare their income, deductions, and other relevant financial information to the Dutch tax authorities (Belastingdienst).

If you are a resident or non-resident of the Netherlands and receive income from the country, you are required to meet tax obligations in relation to this income. In order to pay or receive taxes back, you have to file a tax return on an annual basis.

How much income tax do you have to pay?There is no easy answer to that question because it depends on several factors, such as income, assets, deductible costs and outstanding debts (if applicable). How much income tax you will have to pay or you can expect to receive can be checked when completing the income tax return.

The income tax return is typically submitted annually and includes details about your various sources of income, such as employment / self-employment, investments, and other earnings. Deductible expenses, tax credits, and other relevant financial information are also reported in the income tax return.

When should you submit a Dutch tax return if you have received an invitation to do so?If you received an invitation to file a tax return from the Dutch Tax Authorities (Belastingdienst), you need to file by the date mentioned in the invitation, otherwise, you will receive a fine or penalty. The invitation mentions that you must send the tax return before May 1 related to the year to declare.

When should you submit a tax return as an entrepreneur?When you start a business in the Netherlands, it must be registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KVK). Subsequently, the KVK will inform the Belastingdienst of the registration. In this way, they will determine the taxes the entrepreneur will be dealing with.

Here are the tax obligations for entrepreneurs:

Income tax VAT or turnover tax Wage tax (when the entrepreneur employs staff members) National insurance contributions An invitation for a tax return will be sent in separately by Belastingdienst.

Do you need to file the income tax return if you haven’t received an invitation?If you did not receive the invitation to file a tax return, but the amount of tax payable is at least 49 euros in the income tax return (reference for the year 2022), you are obligated to file the income tax declaration. However, a tax return can be filed for up to 5 years.

Until when you can file the income tax return?You can file the income tax return until the following dates:

Tax year 2023: until December 31, 2028 Tax year 2022: until December 31, 2027 Tax year 2021: until December 31, 2026 Tax year 2020: until December 31, 2025 Tax year 2019: until December 31, 2024 Which tax return form applies to you?There are different types of tax return forms:

Tax return P: During the whole course of the tax return year, you had a resident taxpayer status or you were liable to pay social insurance contributions in the Netherlands. Tax return M: If you have only lived in the Netherlands for part of the tax year because you migrated to another country or just arrived in the Netherlands. Tax return C: If you did not live in the Netherlands during the whole year and were liable to tax and / or contributions in the country for the whole year. Tax return F: Tax return for a deceased business owner. How long does it take to get the income tax return assessment?If you file an income tax return for the year of 2023 between March and April 2024, on average you can receive a response before July 1, 2024. However, if you file the income tax return outside of those dates, the assessment may take up to 36 months.

What information is needed before filing a tax return?They are listed below, per category:

A) IndividualsThe following personal details are required for every tax return:

Citizen service number (burgerservicenummer or BSN). If applicable, also those of your partner and children. Bank account details / IBAN (Preferably from a Dutch bank account) Telephone number Home address B) Income (worldwide)You must report your income by providing the following:

Annual payslip (jaaropgaaf) Annual income statements from other countries C) Bank account detailsThis includes both your Dutch and any foreign bank accounts:

Annual statement of current accounts Annual statement of savings accounts, including those of any children under the age of 18. Annual statement from investment accounts D) PropertyDepending on your residency status, you will need to include different details on your tax return.

Non-resident taxpayerIf you are considered a non-resident taxpayer, you will need to report the following:

The home’s WOZ value on January 1 of the previous year Annual mortgage statement The final settlement from a notary (in case of purchase or sale of your house) Qualifying non-resident taxpayerIf you are considered a “qualifying non-resident taxpayer”, or if you have Dutch social insurance, you will also need your foreign property’s details:

E) OtherYou must provide the following details only if you are a “qualifying non-resident taxpayer”. This also applies if you were living in Belgium, Suriname or Aruba, or if you were covered by Dutch social insurance.

The value of your foreign property Annual mortgage statement of your foreign property Dividends Grants or loans for study costs Paid premiums for annuities An overview of paid premiums for occupational disability insurance F) Self-employment (eenmanszaak)Self-employed persons must provide the following:

VAT tax declaration reports (BTW – omzetbelasting) Bank statement of the company (jaaroverzicht) Income tax return for the previous year (inkomstenbelasting) Deductible expenses for individualsThere are different types of income. For income tax purposes, they are divided into three “boxes”, each with their own tax rates:

Box 1: Taxable income from work and property Box 2: Taxable income from substantial interest Box 3: Taxable income from savings and investments Box 1 has the following deductible items:

Transportation expenses (if your employer doesn’t cover them and you live over 10 kilometres away from your workplace) Deductible costs of owner-occupied housing Expenses for income provisions, such as annuity premiums Spousal maintenance Specific healthcare expenses (not covered by own risk) Temporary stay at home for people with severe disabilities Study costs (up to and including tax year 2021) Regular donations over 60 euros or periodic donations have no limits. 30% ruling benefitApart from obtaining a tax-free 30% of your salary, you are considered a non-resident taxpayer for your taxable income from substantial interests (Box 2) and your taxable income from savings and investments (Box 3). This could benefit you by reducing the taxable income in Box 2 and Box 3, resulting in lower tax payments.

Hopefully, you are more informed after reading this article about filing a Dutch tax return after reading this article.

Are you struggling with filing taxes or organising administrative matters in the Netherlands? PSM Consultancy has more than 10 years of experience offering a number of financial services.

Building resilience is one way to protect your mental and emotional health. Olivia Brouillette from Therapy with Olivia explains how you can bounce back from difficult situations.

Resilience is about how quickly you adapt, bounce back from and cope in the face of adversity, trauma, stress, and whatever else life will throw your way. We all need resilience to survive and function. However, some people are more resilient than others, but, fortunately, it is something we can all learn and build.

Understanding resilienceFor many, becoming resilient happens over time, something which was built up from the experience of stressful or traumatic events. It’s not something you’re born with or not born with, but rather a skill that you can harness and grow over time. Some may find adversity easier to deal with than others due to factors such as a strong connection with family and friends, relationships that encourage love and growth, and a supportive community.

However, even if you feel as though you do not have the social support or external factors that help facilitate the building of resilience, you can still build the characteristics that make a person resilient. A person who has a positive attitude in the face of adversity, a person who can regulate their emotions and solve any problems that come their way.

How can you build more resilience?The most common characteristics of a resilient person are things that many of us hope we already have or can have at some point in our lives.

These characteristics include:

A positive outlook and sense of purpose Adaptability and emotional regulation Problem-solving skills Self-confidence and self-compassion Strong social connection Perseverance A sense of humour The ability to learn from experiences Realistic optimism It’s not necessary to naturally have all of these characteristics to be resilient, they can all be built and created over time.

Cultivate a positive mindsetSomething that helps people recover from stressful life events is fostering a hopeful outlook and believing in your ability to overcome challenges. By cultivating a positive mindset, you actively challenge your negative thoughts and replace them with more positive (and realistic!) perspectives. This mindset is something that you can build up through practising gratitude regularly.

Developing strong social connectionsAnother contributor to resilience is strong social connections with friends, family and community. Building these connections and creating closer relationships with others makes it easier to seek social support during difficult times. Sharing and expressing your feelings can help you overcome the event – remember, talking with someone you trust helps! 

Enhance emotional regulationEmotional regulation is the ability to identify and acknowledge your emotions without judgement. Seeing your emotions through a non-judgemental eye allows you to develop healthier coping mechanisms to manage stress and negative emotions.

Set realistic goalsThis one is beneficial for building resilience when it comes to stress. Break down large goals into smaller, more manageable tasks and celebrate those small achievements! Doing this can help fight against stress as you’re looking at smaller steps, not the bigger picture.

Build problem-solving skillsDuring high-stress events or difficult situations, seeing the problem in small, specific components can help you find practical solutions and get yourself out of the situation.

Take care of physical healthIt is advised for you to find some sort of body movement that feels best for you. With body movement, enough sleep, a balanced diet and good hydration, your body becomes physically prepared for stress.

Foster a sense of purposeYou can find a sense of purpose through identifying your values and setting meaningful goals with those values. A sense of purpose provides a solid foundation to help you navigate and overcome life’s challenges.

Cultivate self-compassionAn important aspect of being resilient is self-compassion or treating yourself with kindness and understanding. This is especially important to do when experiencing challenging events. Avoiding self-criticism and practising compassion helps you heal and bounce back from these difficult events.

Learn from past experiencesChallenges are an opportunity to learn and grow. Reflect on past experiences and extract lessons that can contribute to personal development. The more we learn, the easier it is to recover from similar experiences.

Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniquesPractising mindfulness and other relaxation techniques is a great way to cope with stress, manage your negative emotions and overcome life’s struggles. Experimenting with various techniques is essential to helping you find the one (or several) that works best for you. Try integrating them into your routine to ensure you remember to fall back on them during difficult times.

Seek professional support to build resilienceBuilding resilience can be tricky and you may need help knowing where to start. Seeking help from a mental health professional can help you address issues such as low self-esteem, loneliness and isolation, lack of social support, and other issues preventing you from becoming more resilient.

Do you want to build resilience or get help for other psychological issues? Therapy with Olivia is a private clinical psychology practice created by and for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Although this community may be their specialty, they also cater to non-LGBTQ+ expats.