The six million taxpayers who face an extra bill next year will be given four more months to come up with the money, junior tax minister Erik Wiebes has told MPs.

‘It is a real nuisance for a lot of people,’ he said. ‘You are an honest taxpayer, you know how much you are going to get back in 2014 and then you find out you will have to pay extra. It is irritating for some but for others a real financial setback.’

Wiebes had come under pressure from MPs to relax the repayment rules for the surcharge, which mean an average extra payment of around €150. Some people, however, will have to pay up to €700.

The surcharge stems from changes to the tax system which were not processed in time to be included in pay slips this year. It mainly relates to higher taxes on bonuses, end-of-year payments and holiday pay.

The bills will be sent out on March 1, and will have to be paid by mid-August when the four-month delay is included.