What is a bezwaarschrift — and how to use it against the Tax Office?

A bezwaarschrift is your written request to the Tax Office to reconsider an assessment. Requirements (Awb 6:5): name, address, date, description of the contested decision, the grounds (why incorrect), signature. Deadline: 6 weeks from the date stamp on the assessment (NOT from receipt — beware of holiday postal delays). During objection: you don't need to pay the assessment if you formally request payment deferral (separate form). Decision within 12 weeks (extendable by 6 weeks). On rejection you can appeal within 6 weeks to the tax court (district court administrative section). Success rate on well-founded objections: 30-50% depending on type.