Knowledge Hub
Dutch Business & Tax Knowledge Base 2026
861 English guides on doing business in and from the Netherlands, written for international entrepreneurs and updated to the 2026 and 2027 figures. See how we verify this claim →
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Each guide is about one question that founders from abroad ask. Examples are what a Dutch company costs and how you register it from abroad. Other questions are about what you pay yourself, how dividend is taxed and when a holding is worth it. Start with the four main topics, or use the document check to see which papers your country requires.
BV Incorporation
Complete guide to setting up a Dutch BV: costs, timeline, notary and KVK registration.
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Holding Structures
How the Dutch structure with a holding and an operating company works, and how much tax you can save with it.
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BV vs. Sole Trader
When does a BV become more tax-efficient than a sole trader? Find the exact profit threshold.
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DGA Salary Calculator
Calculate your optimal director salary and dividend split for 2026. Live calculator with official tax rates.
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Entity Comparison
Compare all Dutch legal structures: sole trader, general partnership (VOF), BV and holding. Tax, liability and setup costs.
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FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about Dutch BV formation, corporate tax and doing business in the Netherlands.
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The complete English library has 861 guides on all areas of Dutch business, tax and legal structures, sorted by topic. If you are new, start with Doing Business in the Netherlands.
VAT & Administration
10 guides
Creating an Invoice in the Netherlands: Legal Requirements with Example (2026)
A Dutch invoice (factuur) must contain your KVK number, your VAT number, an invoice number, the date, the VAT rate and the…
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Dutch VAT Rates Explained: 21%, 9% and 0% (BTW)
The Netherlands has three VAT rates. VAT is called "BTW" in Dutch (belasting over de toegevoegde waarde). The rate that applies…
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Your First VAT Return as a Starter in the Netherlands
You file your first VAT return ("BTW-aangifte") online, usually for your first quarter. The deadline is one month after the end…
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The Dutch Small Business Scheme (KOR) Explained: Who, How and When (2026)
With the KOR ("kleineondernemersregeling", or small business scheme), a business with low turnover can opt out of VAT. You then…
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Keeping Your Books as a Starter in the Netherlands
Bookkeeping is a legal duty in the Netherlands. You must record every invoice, every expense and your bank statements, and keep…
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Separating Business and Private Finances in Your Admin
Keep your business money and your private money in separate accounts. Your bookkeeping and your tax return then take less work…
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Keeping Receipts: the 7-Year Dutch Retention Rule Explained
Every Dutch business must keep its administration for seven years. For anything to do with real estate, the term is ten years. A…
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Choosing the Right Bookkeeping Software in the Netherlands (2026)
With good bookkeeping software, you do your administration in much less time. You make invoices and record your costs in it, and…
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Reclaiming VAT as a Starting BV
You can reclaim the VAT on the start-up purchases of your BV as input VAT in your VAT return. A starting BV often makes large…
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Filing Your BV’s Annual Accounts with the KVK: How It Works
Every BV (besloten vennootschap, the Dutch private limited company) must prepare annual accounts each year. The BV files them…
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The Dutch knowledge base at /kennisbank has 495 in-depth articles in Dutch on every aspect of Dutch business and tax law.