Your phone rings. A friendly voice tells you that you have an outstanding tax debt. If you don't pay within 24 hours, your bank account will be seized. Sounds scary, but it's… fake.
Scammers are getting smarter all the time. They play on stress, time pressure and fear of the Tax Authority (Belastingdienst). As an entrepreneur, with all your VAT returns, tax assessments and benefits (toeslagen), you're an especially attractive target. We've lined up the most common tricks, so that from now on you'll (hopefully) recognise them straight away.
The golden rule: the Tax Authority never just rings you up to make you pay
This is the single most important thing to remember. The Tax Authority does not phone you to demand payment, put pressure on you or ask for personal details. Communication always happens in writing, through the Message Box (Berichtenbox) on MijnOverheid or by post. Never via WhatsApp, text message or an email with a payment request. Still getting a call from someone who claims to be from the Tax Authority? Just hang up – no explanation, no apology.
The most common scams in the spotlight
By phone – "You have an outstanding debt. Pay now or we'll seize your assets"
A caller (sometimes with a fake recording playing in the background) threatens legal action if you don't pay immediately. They often ask for an iDEAL payment, gift cards or cryptocurrency. No government body ever asks to be paid in gift cards.
Email – Phishing emails with an official logo
You receive an email that looks like an official message from the Tax Authority, DigiD or your bank. It contains a link to a fake website where you log in and, in doing so, hand over your details. Always check the sender's address and how it ends. A genuine government email always has a logical sender and ends in .nl, never in .com or some random domain.
Text/WhatsApp – "Your refund is ready. Confirm your account here."
You get a text or WhatsApp message saying you're entitled to a tax refund. All you need to do is 'confirm' your bank account number. The Tax Authority never sends messages via WhatsApp and never asks you to confirm your bank details through a link.
Post – Fake reminders that look like real letters
Some scammers send physical letters bearing the logo of the Tax Authority or a debt collection agency. Watch out: genuine assessments from the Tax Authority always include a payment reference and refer you to MijnBelastingdienst. In doubt? Log in yourself via belastingdienst.nl. Always type this address in by hand, and never scan any QR codes printed in the letter.
Socials – Fake bookkeepers and tax advisers on social media
Ads on Instagram or Facebook promise sky-high tax refunds for a small upfront fee. They ask for your DigiD login details so they can 'file the return for you'. Share your DigiD, and you lose control of your entire digital identity.
How do you spot a scam in 5 seconds?
- You're being put under time pressure
- You're asked to use unusual payment methods
- You're asked to share DigiD details, passwords or PINs
- The message has a strange email address or spelling mistakes
- It involves an 'exclusive offer' for tax advice via social media
What should you do if you're unsure?
Log in yourself at belastingdienst.nl (type it in by hand, never via a link in an email) and check whether there really are any messages or assessments waiting for you. That's where the official picture always is.
How does TaxMate communicate with you?
Scammers could also misuse our name. That's why we're completely open about how we get in touch, so you can always tell whether it was really us who contacted you.
- Our emails always come from @taxmate.nl. Getting an email from an address that doesn't end in this domain? That's not us!
- We never ask for sensitive information by text message or WhatsApp. So don't share documents, passwords or payment details that way.
- All confidential communication and document exchange takes place exclusively through our secure platform MyTaxMate or by email.
Not sure whether a message really came from us? Forward it to contact@taxmate.nl and we'll look into it right away!