Financial Assistance

Your money is your responsibility, but living overseas requires a little extra attention, especially when first making a permanent change of station.

The monetary unit in the Netherlands is the euro. Exchange rates between the dollar and the euro change daily; the current rate is given over the American radio and television broadcasts. Just as the dollar is divided into 100 cents, the euro is divided into 100 cents. Items purchased on the Netherlands economy are subject to a 21% Value Added Tax. In general, if an item exceeds 46 euros after the tax, U.S. forces personnel may, if the merchant agrees, obtain tax relief by providing a VAT removal form.

Banking

Community Bank and Andrews Federal Credit Union are full-service financial institutions in the U.S. Army Garrison tri-border community. They offer checking and saving accounts, foreign currency exchanges, personal loans, certificates of deposit, bill-paying services, and traveler’s checks in dollars and most European currency denominations. Limited transactions can be handled at the Exchange. Each bank has a 24-hour ATM, which operates continually and affords customers ready access to their accounts. Customers who make euro withdrawals buy them at the day's going rate. The ATMs also accept government credit cards or any other credit card for cash advances for travelers. While visiting on temporary duty in the U.S., credit union members have free access to their accounts using the credit union's VIP line.

Army Community Service Financial Readiness Program

Financial problems can be addressed to the Army Community Service Financial Readiness Program. The ACS FRP is available to help, evaluating current financial status and helping determine future financial goals. The staff also advises clients on financial assistance programs available overseas such as the Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, and on financial emergency assistance such as Army Emergency Assistance.

The ACS FRP is a pro-active program intended to help soldiers and civilians avoid the many pitfalls of financial transactions. The FRP manager provides a wide range of financial services, including budget counseling, debt liquidation, consumer affairs, checkbook management, investment planning and more. Call Comm: 011 32 065-75-73-61

DSN: 314.597.7361

Permanent change of station orders entitle you, the military member, and your family certain benefits. Upon arrival, check with the Finance Office about the following entitlements that may be authorized to you:

• Overseas Housing Allowance
• Moving-In Housing Allowance
• Cost-of-Living Allowance
• Advance Pay
• Advance Travel Pay
• Privately Owned Vehicle shipment
• Temporary Lodging Allowance
• Family Separation Allowance I and II
• Advance Overseas Housing Allowance

Recordkeeping

Keep a detailed record of your PCS travel, and include all stops (including leave) en route, including arrival and departure dates and times. It is also important to keep receipts and/or records of all expenses associated with your move. It is a requirement to turn in a copy of any Military Travel Discounts and/or TRs with your travel settlement voucher; therefore, be sure to keep all plane tickets. Finally, pick up your military pay and travel pay records before you leave your present duty station. Without that record, payment must be held pending confirmation of an advance. If you received advance travel pay, ask for a copy of the voucher to file with your PCS settlement claim.

Your payment for travel will be made by electronic funds transfer, which is deposited into your direct deposit account or another account, if you prefer.

In conclusion, families should visit the Financial Readiness Program manager at their current installation, and check into budgeting for their upcoming move. A little fiscal planning before your move can save a lot of headaches later.

There are several things which get families into financial problems in the Netherlands. The one that causes the most trouble is the use of the telephone. Unlike American phone service, there is a charge for local calls. Whenever you call someone, you will pay for the call. The longer you talk, the more it will cost. Calling long distance is even more expensive. There are several alternatives to using the Netherlands phone system for making long distance calls such as calling plans, calling cards as well as five-digit prefixes. Be sure to check out all the options available.

Almost everything sold in the Netherlands and other countries in Europe is subject to VAT. Be sure to ask the merchant before you purchase goods if they participate in the FORAX program.

Online VAT Reimbursement System with FORAX

The refund of Value-Added Tax on purchases of goods in the Netherlands has changed for JFCBS - entitled individuals (including our administratively supported units) as of January 1, 2023. Customs approved to start with the transition to an online system.

VAT refunds will take place online via FORAX. After one year, and if considered a success, the pilot will be formalized. One of the critical success factors of the pilot is the willingness and participation of entitled individuals to use the online VAT refund.

Why you should register in this online VAT reimbursement system with FORAX

• Make purchases in all shops with a NLD VAT number instead of only making purchases through a limited number of licensed selected shops.
• Online shopping is also possible, but only if a shop has a NLD VAT number.
• No need for a Customs Form 602 (Customs Tax Invoice) to be completed for the online system. You do not have to return to the shop to receive the VAT.
• VAT reimbursement process is completely “online" (via the exclusive client website or the FORAX app on your phone or tablet).
• You can upload multiple invoices from different shops at once. The minimum amount of each invoice is €50,00 excl. VAT. Please see below for non-eligible items.

How to participate?

This program is separate from the FORAX fuel card as administered by AAFES. Therefore, you can apply for an own FORAX account for the VAT Refund service. The mandatory details of staff members that will be required to upload/provide to the FORAX system: name, address, first seven digits of your AMIS (NATO ID) card and an IBAN bank account number.

This pilot is now operational. Invoices dated before the validation date cannot be processed through FORAX but need to be submitted via Form 602. If your registration is refused by the FORAX system but you consider yourself as entitled, please contact FORAX through the contact e-mail below and give your data and explanation. FORAX will coordinate with JFCBS Pass and Registration to confirm your eligibility and will, if approved by JFCBS Pass and Registration, enable your registration.

Read more about the VAT reimbursement process with FORAX, alternatives and exceptions in the document attached.

Questions?

Contact FORAX at info@forax.eu or on 070-891-2626.