--- name: netherlands-bookkeeping description: "> Use this skill whenever asked about Dutch bookkeeping, chart of accounts, financial statements, RGS mapping, jaarrekening preparation, balance sheet or P&L format in the Netherlands. Trigger on phrases like \"Dutch bookkeeping\", \"boekhouding\", \"grootboekrekening\", \"jaarrekening\", \"RGS\", \"chart of accounts Netherlands\", \"balans\", \"winst- en verliesrekening\", \"micro-entity Netherlands\", \"BW2 Title 9\", \"Dutch GAAP\", \"RJ guidelines\", \"small company accounts NL\", \"annual accounts Netherlands\", or any question about recording transactions, financial reporting, or accounting standards for Dutch entities." license: AGPL-3.0-or-later (code) / OpenAccountants Guide License v1.0 (content) metadata: source: openaccountants jurisdiction: NL category: bookkeeping quality: source-cited draft openaccountants_url: "https://openaccountants.com/skills/netherlands-bookkeeping" obligation: BT --- # Netherlands Bookkeeping Skill v1.0 > **General reference only.** This skill is general tax/accounting reference material for AI-assisted workflows. It has not been reviewed for any specific person's facts, documents, elections, deadlines, residency, filing status, or local procedures. Do not rely on it to file, pay, amend, or take a tax position without review by a qualified professional in the relevant jurisdiction. --- ## Section 1 -- Quick Reference | Field | Value | |---|---| | Country | Netherlands (Koninkrijk der Nederlanden) | | Currency | EUR | | Financial year | Flexible (most common: 1 January -- 31 December) | | Accounting standards | Dutch GAAP (BW2 Title 9); RJ Guidelines (Raad voor de Jaarverslaggeving) | | Standard chart of accounts | RGS (Referentie GrootboekSchema) -- voluntary reference standard | | Governing body | Raad voor de Jaarverslaggeving (RJ); Belastingdienst (tax) | | Key legislation | Burgerlijk Wetboek Boek 2, Titel 9 (BW2 Title 9) | | Filing obligation | KVK (Kamer van Koophandel) -- within 12 months of year-end | | Tax authority | Belastingdienst | | Reporting format | SBR/XBRL for KVK and Belastingdienst filings | --- ## Section 2 -- Standard Chart of Accounts (RGS-Based) The RGS (Referentie GrootboekSchema) is not mandatory but is the de facto Dutch standard used by most accounting software. Below is a practical mapping for small/micro entities. ### Assets (Class 0-1) | Code | Account | Description | |---|---|---| | 0100 | Immateriële vaste activa | Intangible fixed assets | | 0110 | Goodwill | Goodwill | | 0120 | Software | Software licences | | 0200 | Materiële vaste activa | Tangible fixed assets | | 0210 | Gebouwen | Buildings | | 0220 | Machines en installaties | Machinery and installations | | 0230 | Inventaris | Furniture and fittings | | 0240 | Computers | Computer hardware | | 0250 | Vervoermiddelen | Vehicles | | 0900 | Cum. afschrijvingen | Accumulated depreciation | | 1100 | Debiteuren | Trade receivables | | 1200 | Overige vorderingen | Other receivables | | 1300 | Voorraad | Inventory | | 1500 | Vooruitbetaalde kosten | Prepaid expenses | | 1800 | Kruisposten | Inter-account transfers | | 1900 | Bank | Bank accounts | | 1910 | Kas | Cash | ### Liabilities (Class 2) | Code | Account | Description | |---|---|---| | 2000 | Crediteuren | Trade payables | | 2100 | Belastingen en premies | Taxes and social premiums payable | | 2110 | Omzetbelasting (BTW) | VAT payable | | 2120 | Loonheffingen | Payroll taxes payable | | 2200 | Overige schulden | Other payables | | 2300 | Leningen langlopend | Long-term loans | | 2400 | Voorzieningen | Provisions | ### Equity (Class 0/3) | Code | Account | Description | |---|---|---| | 0500 | Eigen vermogen | Equity | | 0510 | Aandelenkapitaal | Share capital (BV) | | 0520 | Agioreserve | Share premium | | 0530 | Overige reserves | Other reserves | | 0590 | Resultaat lopend jaar | Current year result | | 0595 | Privé (eenmanszaak) | Owner's drawings (sole trader) | ### Revenue (Class 8) | Code | Account | Description | |---|---|---| | 8000 | Netto-omzet | Net turnover | | 8010 | Omzet diensten | Revenue from services | | 8020 | Omzet handel | Revenue from goods | | 8100 | Overige bedrijfsopbrengsten | Other operating income | ### Cost of Goods Sold (Class 7) | Code | Account | Description | |---|---|---| | 7000 | Inkoopwaarde omzet | Cost of goods sold | | 7010 | Inkopen | Purchases | | 7020 | Voorraadmutatie | Inventory change | ### Operating Expenses (Class 4-6) | Code | Account | Description | |---|---|---| | 4000 | Personeelskosten | Staff costs | | 4010 | Lonen en salarissen | Wages and salaries | | 4020 | Sociale lasten | Social security contributions | | 4030 | Pensioenlasten | Pension costs | | 4100 | Afschrijvingen | Depreciation | | 4200 | Huisvestingskosten | Premises costs | | 4210 | Huur | Rent | | 4220 | Gas, water, elektra | Utilities | | 4300 | Verkoopkosten | Selling expenses | | 4310 | Reclame en marketing | Advertising and marketing | | 4400 | Autokosten | Vehicle costs | | 4500 | Kantoorkosten | Office costs | | 4510 | Telefoon en internet | Telecoms | | 4520 | Kantoorbenodigdheden | Office supplies | | 4530 | Software abonnementen | Software subscriptions | | 4600 | Algemene kosten | General costs | | 4610 | Accountantskosten | Accountancy fees | | 4620 | Advieskosten | Advisory/legal fees | | 4630 | Bankkosten | Bank charges | | 4640 | Verzekeringen | Insurance | | 4650 | Contributies en abonnementen | Subscriptions | ### Other Income/Expenses (Class 8/9) | Code | Account | Description | |---|---|---| | 8200 | Financiële baten | Financial income (interest received) | | 8300 | Financiële lasten | Financial expenses (interest paid) | | 8400 | Buitengewone baten | Extraordinary income | | 8500 | Buitengewone lasten | Extraordinary expenses | ### Tax (Class 9) | Code | Account | Description | |---|---|---| | 9000 | Vennootschapsbelasting | Corporate income tax | | 9010 | Latente belastingen | Deferred taxes | --- ## Section 3 -- Revenue Recognition ### Cash vs Accrual Basis | Entity Type | Basis | Notes | |---|---|---| | BV / NV (legal entity) | Accrual (verplicht) | BW2 Title 9 requires accrual basis | | Eenmanszaak / VOF (sole trader / partnership) | Accrual or Cash | Tax law allows "kasstelsel" for certain small traders; most use accrual | | ZZP (freelancer) | Accrual | Recommended; required if VAT-registered on standard scheme | ### Key Rules - Revenue recognised when goods/services delivered and collectability is reasonably assured (RJ 270) - Construction contracts: percentage-of-completion method preferred (RJ 221) - Long-term service contracts: revenue allocated over the period of service delivery - For IB (inkomstenbelasting) purposes, "goed koopmansgebruik" (sound business practice) governs timing ### Thresholds - No statutory threshold for switching between cash/accrual for sole traders - VAT: small businesses scheme (KOR -- Kleineondernemersregeling) applies if turnover ≤ EUR 20,000/year; exempts from VAT filing but requires standard bookkeeping --- ## Section 4 -- Expense Classification ### Deductible Operating Expenses | Category | Nominal Code | Deductibility | |---|---|---| | Office rent | 4210 | 100% deductible | | Utilities (business premises) | 4220 | 100% deductible | | Accountancy fees | 4610 | 100% deductible | | Software subscriptions | 4530 | 100% deductible | | Professional insurance | 4640 | 100% deductible | | Marketing/advertising | 4310 | 100% deductible | | Travel (business) | 4400 | 100% deductible if wholly business | | Training/education | 4600 | 100% deductible if business-related | | Bank charges | 4630 | 100% deductible | | Phone/internet (business %) | 4510 | Business portion only | ### Limited/Non-Deductible Expenses (Fiscal) | Category | Limitation | |---|---| | Business meals/entertainment | 80% deductible (20% non-deductible add-back) | | Gifts to clients | 80% deductible if > EUR 15/gift | | Fines and penalties | 0% -- never deductible | | Personal expenses | 0% -- never deductible | | Income tax / VPB | 0% -- never deductible | | Private use of business assets | Add-back required (bijtelling for cars) | ### Car (Auto) Special Rules - Company car private-use addition (bijtelling): 22% of catalogue value (standard); 16% for zero-emission vehicles - Kilometre allowance for business use of private car: EUR 0.23/km (2025) --- ## Section 5 -- Asset vs Expense Thresholds ### Capitalization Rules | Rule | Threshold | Notes | |---|---|---| | Tax depreciation maximum rate | 20% per year on cost | Minimum 5-year useful life | | Goodwill maximum rate | 10% per year | Minimum 10-year amortization | | Low-value asset expensing | No statutory threshold | Practice: items < EUR 450 often expensed directly | | Real estate floor (bodemwaarde) | WOZ-value | Cannot depreciate below WOZ-value for tax | | Buildings (beleggingspand) | Max 100% WOZ-value | Investment property: cannot depreciate below 100% WOZ | | Buildings (own use) | Max 50% WOZ-value | Own-use property: floor is 50% of WOZ-value | ### Depreciation Methods and Rates | Asset Type | Method | Common Tax Rate | |---|---|---| | Buildings (own use) | Straight-line | 2-3% (floor: 50% WOZ) | | Buildings (investment) | Straight-line | 2-3% (floor: 100% WOZ) | | Machinery and equipment | Straight-line | 10-20% | | Office furniture/fittings | Straight-line | 20% | | Computer hardware | Straight-line | 20% (max allowed) | | Software | Straight-line | 20% | | Vehicles | Straight-line | 20% | | Goodwill | Straight-line | 10% | ### Small-Scale Investment Deduction (KIA) For investments between EUR 2,801 and EUR 393,252 (2025), an additional percentage deduction (up to 28%) of the investment amount is available on top of regular depreciation. --- ## Section 6 -- P&L Format (Winst- en Verliesrekening) Dutch law prescribes the income statement classified by nature of expense (categoriale model) or by function (functionele model). Small entities typically use nature-of-expense. ### Format (Categoriale Model -- by Nature) ``` Netto-omzet (Net turnover) xxx Wijziging voorraad (Change in inventory) xxx Overige bedrijfsopbrengsten (Other operating income) xxx ------- Totale bedrijfsopbrengsten xxx Grondstof-/hulpmateriaalkosten (Raw materials) (xxx) Personeelskosten (Staff costs) (xxx) Afschrijvingen (Depreciation/amortisation) (xxx) Overige bedrijfskosten (Other operating expenses) (xxx) ------- Totale bedrijfslasten (xxx) Bedrijfsresultaat (Operating profit) xxx Financiële baten (Financial income) xxx Financiële lasten (Financial expenses) (xxx) ------- Resultaat voor belastingen (Profit before tax) xxx Belastingen (Tax) (xxx) ------- Resultaat na belastingen (Net profit) xxx ``` --- ## Section 7 -- Balance Sheet Format (Balans) Dutch law prescribes a vertical (staffelvorm) balance sheet format. Small entities file an abbreviated version. ### Format ``` ACTIVA (Assets) Vaste activa (Fixed assets) Immateriële vaste activa xxx Materiële vaste activa xxx Financiële vaste activa xxx ------- Totaal vaste activa xxx Vlottende activa (Current assets) Voorraden xxx Vorderingen xxx Liquide middelen xxx ------- Totaal vlottende activa xxx TOTAAL ACTIVA xxx ======= PASSIVA (Equity and Liabilities) Eigen vermogen (Equity) Aandelenkapitaal xxx Reserves xxx Onverdeeld resultaat xxx ------- Totaal eigen vermogen xxx Voorzieningen (Provisions) xxx Langlopende schulden (Long-term liabilities) xxx Kortlopende schulden (Current liabilities) xxx ------- TOTAAL PASSIVA xxx ======= ``` --- ## Section 8 -- Bank Reconciliation Patterns ### Dutch Bank Statement Formats | Bank | Format | Key Fields | |---|---|---| | ING | CSV, MT940 | Date, Name/Description, Account, Counter-account, Amount, Balance | | ABN AMRO | CSV, MT940 | Transaction date, Amount, Description, Counter-party IBAN | | Rabobank | CSV, MT940, CAMT.053 | Date, Counter-party name, IBAN, Amount, Description | | SNS/RegioBank | CSV | Date, Description, Debit, Credit, Balance | | Bunq | CSV | Date, Amount, Account, Counterparty, Description | | Knab | CSV | Date, Amount, Name, Description, IBAN | ### Common Transaction Descriptions | Pattern | Classification | |---|---| | SEPA Overboeking, Betaling aan | Outgoing payment (expense or transfer) | | SEPA Incasso, Automatische incasso | Direct debit (recurring expense) | | iDEAL betaling | Incoming payment from customer | | Tikkie | Small payment (check direction) | | BELASTINGDIENST, BTW, LH | Tax payment (exclude from P&L) | | KVK, Kamer van Koophandel | Business registration fee | | PENSIOENFONDS | Pension contribution | | Pinbetaling, Geldautomaat | Card/ATM (check nature) | --- ## Section 9 -- Micro-Entity / Small Business Simplifications ### Size Categories (from 1 January 2024) | Category | Balance Sheet Total | Net Turnover | Employees | |---|---|---|---| | Micro | ≤ EUR 450,000 | ≤ EUR 900,000 | < 10 | | Small (Klein) | ≤ EUR 7,500,000 | ≤ EUR 15,000,000 | < 50 | | Medium (Middelgroot) | ≤ EUR 25,000,000 | ≤ EUR 50,000,000 | < 250 | Must meet at least 2 of 3 criteria on two consecutive balance sheet dates. ### Simplifications by Category | Simplification | Micro | Small | |---|---|---| | P&L required in filing | No | No | | Management report (bestuursverslag) | Not required | Not required | | Statutory audit | Not required | Not required | | Consolidated accounts | Not required | Not required | | Notes (toelichting) | Very limited | Limited | | Use tax accounting principles | Allowed (Art. 2:396 lid 6) | Allowed | | File abbreviated balance sheet only | Yes | Yes (with limited notes) | | Cash flow statement | Not required | Not required | ### Sole Trader (Eenmanszaak) / ZZP - No formal annual accounts obligation under BW2 Title 9 - Must maintain adequate records for tax (bewaarplicht: 7 years) - Annual income tax return (aangifte IB) with balance sheet and P&L - VAT return quarterly (or monthly for larger traders) - Small Businesses Scheme (KOR): turnover ≤ EUR 20,000 -- full VAT exemption --- ## Section 10 -- Interaction with Tax Skills ### Income Tax (IB/VPB) - The jaarrekening (annual accounts) forms the basis for the tax return - Fiscal adjustments are made outside the accounts (e.g., entertainment 20% add-back, KIA deduction, MKB profit exemption) - Micro/small entities may use fiscal accounting principles for their jaarrekening, eliminating most differences - For sole traders: zelfstandigenaftrek (EUR 3,750 in 2025), startersaftrek (EUR 2,123), MKB-winstvrijstelling (13.31% of profit) ### VAT (BTW) - VAT is recorded in account 2110 (payable) and cleared via the BTW-aangifte - Input VAT (voorbelasting) is tracked separately and offset against output VAT - Private-use correction (privégebruik correctie) due in final period - Use the netherlands-vat-return skill for BTW filing details ### Payroll Tax (Loonheffingen) - Loonheffingen includes wage tax + social insurance premiums - Recorded in account 2120 until remitted to Belastingdienst - Use the nl-payroll-tax skill for detailed calculation --- ## Disclaimer This skill and its outputs are provided for informational and computational purposes only and do not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Open Accountants and its contributors accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes arising from the use of this skill. All outputs must be reviewed and signed off by a qualified professional before filing or acting upon. --- _Source: [OpenAccountants](https://openaccountants.com/skills/netherlands-bookkeeping) — open tax Guides for AI, reviewed by named CPAs/CAs/EAs. Quality: **source-cited draft**. For always-current figures and named-accountant backing, connect the OpenAccountants MCP server (`openaccountants-mcp`)._