I have applied for a phd place in the Netherlands. So far I've heard that the stipend would be 2042 euro per month for the first year from which 42% tax and insurance costs will be deducted. However from my brief reading of the Dutch tax code I get the impression that the first portion of my income would be subject to a lower tax braket and that I would get a standard tax credit which would lower my rate of tax. It's all very confusing and I was hoping there was someone about who could offer a little more insight into this.
Thanks!