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Know when to file your Dutch Tax Return

When to file your Dutch tax returns

When you start your company in the Netherlands, it’s important to know when you need to file your tax returns and pay your tax assessments. 

In this article we will describe the most common tax returns in the Netherlands:

• Corporate income tax

• VAT

• Payroll tax

Corporate income tax

Corporations are required to file a corporate tax return annually. The due date is five months after the end of the fiscal year of the company. Also for corporate tax further extension is possible upon request.

Generally, the fiscal year is equal to the calendar year. However, corporate taxpayers may deviate from this. 

Payment

At first, you will receive a preliminary assessment from the Dutch tax authorities, which is based on the filed tax return. This preliminary assessment has not been checked by the Dutch tax authorities yet. After they have checked the return, a final assessment will follow. In both of these assessments, the payment details are stated.

VAT

Most companies in the Netherlands file their VAT returns on a quarterly basis. However, it is also possible to file VAT returns monthly or even annually. Monthly VAT returns are due two months after the ending of the concerning month. For example, the VAT return of October 2019 needs to be filed before the 31st of December 2019.

Quarterly VAT returns are due two months after the ending of the concerning month. For example, the VAT return of the first quarter of 2019 needs to be filed before the 31st of May 2019.

Annual VAT returns are due three months after the ending of the fiscal year. For example, the VAT return of 2019 needs to be filed before the 31st of March 2020.

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Payment

The payment of the due VAT must be done within two months after the end of the relevant period. It does not matter whether you file your VAT returns monthly, quarterly or annually.

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Payroll tax

The return period for payroll tax is usually a period of one month or four weeks. This depends on the fact whether your personnel is paid every four weeks or monthly.

Payment

When you are obliged to file payroll tax returns you will receive a Payroll tax return letter. This letter contains the date on which the payment is due.

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Are tax returns mandatory?

Signing and filing the Dutch tax returns is obligated for everyone who meets the requirements. Every tax return needs to be filed timely, complete and accurate.

The filing of an incomplete or inaccurate tax return can result in administrative penalties but also can constitute a criminal offence. 

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Timetable Corporate tax filing requirements in The Netherlands

The timetable below shows the timeframes and possible extensions relating to the process of the financial statements, as well as the requirement to file a corporate tax return. Please note that this does not apply to listed companies. For those companies, the financial statements must be prepared and made generally available within four months after year-end. They must be adopted within six months after year-end.

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YOUR BUSINESS TOOLKIT

FREE ACCESS TO ALL THE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Our experts have combined their knowledge and strengths to create a tool we call the Business Toolkit. 

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The Business Toolkit will help you and entrepreneurs from around the globe to truly understand the Dutch market, regulations and laws. And will enable you to take a deep-dive into the topics displayed below. 

This way you will easily get up to speed with our Company formation process, Dutch Tax & Accounting and our corporate services. 

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Make sure to check out our handy checklists, explainer video's and extensively written Whitepapers too!