Quick Tip: If they enjoyed it or needed it, there was a tax on it

Throughout the history of the Netherlands, various levels of government have taxed items that the residents needed or enjoyed. The taxes vary over time and place.

Examples of taxes that have been levied in the Netherlands at different times and places:

  • Hearth tax
  • Salt tax
  • Spice tax
  • Horse tax
  • Mill tax
  • Income tax
  • Real estate tax
  • Asset tax
  • Estate tax (death duties)

You can find tax records in the government records of the different levels of government. My favorites are the local taxes, which can be unusual if they are not levied elsewhere. You can often find those in the records of the municipality or village, kept at the local or regional archives. Search for the term Belasting.

1575 property tax record from Tilburg

About Yvette Hoitink

Yvette Hoitink, CG®, QG™ is a professional genealogist in the Netherlands. She holds the Certified Genealogist credential from the Board for Certification of Genealogists and has a post-graduate diploma in Family and Local History from the University of Dundee. She has been doing genealogy for over 30 years and helps people from across the world find their ancestors in the Netherlands. Read about Yvette's professional genealogy services.

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