AdministrationIN THIS SECTION Obtaining a SOFI number?You must apply for your SoFI number if you intend to work in the Netherlands or receive any of the family credits available. SoFI stands for "Social Fiscal", which is essentially your tax file number. Application for residency is a prerequisite for applying for the SoFI number. Many routine matters involved in setting up house in the Netherlands will be easier once you have this number - this includes having your phone connected. You must apply in person at the Belastingdienst which, in order to prevent fraud, has been reduced to 16 regional tax offices around the country (Alkmaar, Almelo, Amsterdam, Den Haag, Breda, Doetinchem, Eindhoven, Goes, Groningen, Heerlen, Leiden, Leeuwarden, Nijmegen and Utrecht). The Rotterdam Belastingdienst office is located at Laan op Zuid 45, 3072DB. You will need to make a prior appointment at the Belastingdienst. The Belastingdienst has an information line that has a menu system in Dutch. It bears a striking resemblance to the Amazon jungle! If you do manage to successfully negotiate your way through this menu and select the right option, you will then be able to make an appointment. However if you are unable to locate a person in this maze, you can visit the Belastingdienst in person and make an appointment. As with other registrations you will face, it takes a large chunk of time and there’s no way around it. You may find that even with your appointment, you will queue for a while to receive your 'appointment number'. Note: Expect this process to take a very, very long time and that it may not be completed on this first visit. Remember to take your passport and proof of residency or proof of application for residency, i.e., verblijfsdocument. The forms you must complete are vast, complex and in Dutch, and you may or may not have a person who speaks good enough English to help you to complete the forms. You are not able to take the forms with you; they must be completed at this appointment. The number will be allocated on the day of the application but you will not receive it. It will be sent in a letter to your home address. Opening a Dutch bank accountFor EU citizens you will require: For non-EU citizens you will require: It would be a good idea, once you have selected your bank, to phone and make an appointment with an English speaking person. It will make the paperwork much easier to cope with and cut down waiting times. You will be required also to take out personal liability insurance in case you have any accidents, which you can obtain through your bank. It is best to get a quote for this and shop around. Internet bankingThe major banks offer internet banking but there are still forms involved. The site comes with the added security of a pin-card security logon system. The sites are mostly in Dutch. ABN-AMRO is one of the few Dutch banks to offer internet banking in English and has special services for Expats. Speak to your branch contact for an information pack. It is worthwhile having internet banking set up as bank to bank transfer is a very common method of payment for products for companies that do not accept credit cards. Credit cardsCredit cards are not widely accepted in the Netherlands. Generally, they are only accepted in the larger chain stores in the main centres. Cash and increasingly pin are the main forms of payment accepted. You will need to carry photo id with your credit card as you will often be asked for passport, drivers licence or residency card to identify you as the cardholder. Many banks only issue Mastercard although Visa is more widely accepted. In some situations, such as phone credit card top-up accounts you can only use a Dutch card. Cash, pin, chippen & geldautomaatCash Geldautomaat Chippen Pin or Eftpos point payment Giro bankingThis simply means payment by bank transfer and is the most common form of payment of services. The company concerned will send you their bill in the form of a statement and GIRO slip; you fill in your account number (bankrekening) sign it (handtekening) and send to your bank. The bank will debit the money and transfer the payment. You can set up direct debits for most regular payments such as utilities. You need to request a form from the provider, complete and return to the company. Expect a wait of at least 4 weeks to process. Internet shoppingInternet shopping is not a particularly easy method to use. You will not generally be able to pay with a credit card online, rather GIRO bank transfer or payment in cash in full upon delivery of the item purchased. Payment policy changes from company to company. Family benefits & tax creditsAs a resident or temporary resident in the Netherlands and if you have children you are entitled to income from either the SVB (Sociale Verzerkeringsbank) and the Belastingdienst. SVB "AKW" Kinderbijslag Child Benefit Algemene Heffingskorting (Personal Allowance Tax Credit) This allowance is for the non-working spouse (or limited income to €5.500) of the partner working in the Netherlands. The allowance is paid per annum calendar year, which is the Dutch tax year and amounts to €1.894 per year. You have to be in the Netherlands for a minimum period of six months in the calendar year, before you become eligible. Once you have your SoFI number, you can then make an appointment with your local Belastingdienst office to complete the registration forms. If you don't directly apply, your partner can apply for a "provisional refund" for this in his annual tax return. For future payments/refund you or your partner can ask for it to be paid in monthly installments (or 1/12 payments).
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