Can I increase or decrease my social security contributions?

At the start of your self-employment career, you always pay provisional social security contributions because they are usually calculated based on your income from 3 years earlier.   

After that, the tax office will inform your payroll office of your true income. On this basis, your payroll office will calculate your final contributions. After this recalculation, you will have to pay a higher or lower amount of social contributions, which may be to your advantage or disadvantage. 

Why increase or decrease your social security contributions?

If your true income is higher than the amount used to calculate your contributions, you can increase your provisional contributions. This way, you won't have to pay a surcharge when your final contributions are determined. You will also have to pay lower taxes if you have a higher social security contribution.  

Is your true income lower than the amount used to calculate your contributions? Then you can decrease your provisional contributions by applying for a reduction. You can do this using our online tool My Social Security Manager, by email, or with your accountant. 

3 ways to adjust your social contributions

1.

You pay the suggested amount

If your income is stable year on year, simply pay the suggested amount of your social security contributions. If it turns out afterwards that you earned more or less than expected, you will pay or be refunded the difference without having to pay a (large) surcharge.

2.

You lower the suggested amount

Do you believe you have to pay a lot of social security contributions relative to your current income? Then lower the suggested amount. That way, you will keep more money for other things. 

Be careful not to underestimate your (expected) income. Otherwise, you risk incurring penalties if your true income is higher. 

There are several scenarios in which the proposed amount of your social security contributions may be too high: 

  • A crisis in your industry; 

  • Childbirth, illness, accident, or disability; 

  • Bankruptcy of your business or a client; 

  • Investment in your business; 

  • Accidents or disasters affecting your business activities; 

  • A change in your legal form; 

  • … 

To decrease the proposed amount of your social security contributions, you must apply for a reduction. You can do this in our online tool My Social Security Manager, by email, or with your accountant. 



Please note: if you apply for a reduction, you must be able to explain your 'lower' income. Your social insurance fund will ask you for proof. 

3.

You increase the suggested amount

Are you earning more now than you did during your first 3 years of self-employment? And do you believe you are not paying enough social security contributions relative to your current income? Then increase the suggested amount. You can easily do this yourself with our online tool My Social Security Manager. After increasing your social security contributions, you will receive a new payment notification. 

Calculate your contributions

Not sure how high your social security contributions should be? Use our simulator to quickly and easily calculate your contributions. 

Run a simulation