How it works
RSIN stands for Rechtspersonen en Samenwerkingsverbanden Informatienummer: the information number for legal entities and partnerships. The KVK issues it at the moment a BV, a foundation or a partnership is registered. It is different from the KVK number: the KVK number identifies the registration in the trade register, the RSIN identifies the legal entity itself.
The tax authority builds the company’s numbers on the RSIN. The VAT identification number of a BV is NL, the RSIN, B and two digits, usually 01. The payroll tax number is the RSIN, L and two digits. The corporate income tax file uses the RSIN as well.
The RSIN stays the same for the life of the company, also after a move, a name change or a change of directors. It appears on the KVK extract and on letters from the tax authority.
A sole trader works with the KVK number and a separate VAT id; the RSIN is for legal entities. That is one of the practical differences between a sole proprietorship and a BV.
Example
A BV receives KVK number 12345678 and RSIN 123456789 on the day of registration. Its VAT id becomes NL123456789B01 and its payroll tax number 123456789L01. Every invoice shows the KVK number and the VAT id; every letter from the tax authority shows the RSIN.
The figures
All 2026 figures: Netherlands tax rates 2026 · the 2027 figures: Netherlands tax rates 2027.
Questions people ask
Is the RSIN the same as the tax number?
The RSIN is the base. The tax authority adds a suffix per tax: B01 for VAT, L01 for payroll tax. For corporate income tax the RSIN itself is used.
Where do I find the RSIN?
On the KVK extract of the company, under the details of the legal entity, and on every letter from the tax authority.
Holdwise, Hoofddorp. Definition and explanation maintained with the Dutch and German glossaries; figures from the central rates source, year 2026. Updated 16 September 2026.
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