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Understanding Value-Added Tax (VAT) in the Netherlands

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Value Added Tax (VAT) in the Netherlands is a consumption tax that is imposed on the value added to goods and services. The standard rate of VAT in the Netherlands is 21%, with reduced rates of 9% and 0% applying to certain goods and services such as food, medicine, and transportation. Businesses in the Netherlands are required to register for VAT if their turnover exceeds a certain threshold, currently set at €20,000 per year. Once registered, businesses must charge VAT on their sales, and they can also claim back VAT on their business expenses. VAT returns must be filed on a quarterly or annual basis, depending on the size of the business. The Netherlands also has specific rules for cross-border transactions and distance selling, which can impact the VAT treatment for businesses involved in international trade. Overall, VAT is an important source of revenue for the Dutch government, contributing to the funding of public services and social welfare programs.

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Are you an entrepreneur for VAT purposes in the Netherlands?

In the Netherlands, you are considered an entrepreneur for VAT purposes if you are engaged in independent activities with the intention of generating a sustainable income. This includes activities such as buying and selling goods, providing services, and conducting professional or artistic activities. If you have a permanent establishment in the Netherlands, which can be a fixed place of business or a construction site that is available to you on a continuous basis, you are also considered an entrepreneur for VAT purposes. It's important to note that even if you are not officially registered as an entrepreneur, if you meet the criteria for having a permanent establishment, you are still required to comply with VAT regulations. As such, it's crucial to determine whether or not you qualify as an entrepreneur for VAT purposes and to ensure that you comply with all related regulations and obligations in the Netherlands.

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VAT on goods and services to another country within the EU

When a Netherlands company sells goods or services to another country within the EU, VAT (value added tax) is usually charged on the transaction. However, in certain cases, the reverse charge method is applied. This means that the responsibility for paying the VAT is shifted from the supplier to the customer. Under the reverse charge method, the customer is required to declare and pay the VAT on the transaction directly to the tax authorities in their own country, rather than have the supplier collect and remit the tax. This method is commonly used for cross-border transactions between EU member states in order to simplify the VAT filing process and avoid the need for the supplier to register for VAT in multiple countries. It also helps to prevent double taxation and reduces the administrative burden for businesses. Overall, the reverse charge method allows for greater flexibility and efficiency in conducting cross-border trade within the EU.

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European VAT vs. American Sales Tax

European Value Added Tax (VAT) and American Sales Tax are both forms of consumption tax, but they differ in key ways. VAT is a broad-based tax on goods and services, applied at each stage of production and distribution. In Europe, the average VAT rate is around 20%, much higher than the typical American sales tax rate, which is usually between 6-9%. This means that consumers in Europe often end up paying a higher tax on goods and services. Additionally, VAT is typically included in the advertised price of a product, while American sales tax is added at the point of sale. This leads to the common frustration among American consumers of having to mentally calculate the added tax at the cash register. Furthermore, in the US, sales tax is applied at the state level, and rates can vary significantly between states, whereas VAT rates are generally consistent across European Union countries. These differences in approach reflect the variations in taxation systems and priorities between the two economic blocs.

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  • What is House of Companies?
    House of Companies is in first instance a new concept in offering flexible office solutions and registered office addresses, covering more than 4.000 locations. Aside from full service office facilities (from dealing with your mail, to answering the phone) , we offer a ‘branch out membership’ which provides you the tools to start a new business, or keep your business running, at the lowest costs possible. House of Companies is located at an amazing mansion, on a 50.000m2 estate in the Netherlands offering room for hundreds of companies. But we also offer +4.000 locations in cooperation with partners.
  • Can anybody use the services of House of Companies?
    Yes, basically anybody can use the services of the House of Companies. Even if you are not an entrepreneur yet! Our services are very low-key which allows companies of any sizes to expand overseas. We do have a strict onboarding process in place, and don’t deal with companies focused on tax avoidance, or who have operations in sanctioned countries, as well as certain sensitive industries.
  • Is using a registered office address legal?
    Yes, 100% legal! Our team has over 10 years experience in providing registered office services, and our locations meet the standards of the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. Our locations provide a full time reception, and our locations are always able to provide you a working space when need be.
  • Do I pay taxes when I use a virtual office in the Netherlands?
    A ‘virtual office’ typically does not pay taxes (yet). This is not due to a special tax status, but simply because a virtual office has no actual operations (or substance) yet (or has not started to make a profit, doing sales, or employing staff). In fact, a ‘virtual office’ is typically considered a ‘representative office’ and is not required to be registered at the Chamber of Commerce. Such requirements might change, once you perform any actual services from the Netherlands, or goods are stored and processed here. In case of doubt, it might be necessary to discuss your situation with a lawyer or accountant, but much information on this topic is available in our Dashboard.
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    In many cases a local company registration requires a local business address. Especially in (Western) European countries this is very common. There are some exceptions, especially in case of a branch registration (or a representative office). A registered office address is required to receive official government letters, and in come cases also to open a local corporate bank account.
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    Yes, a business dealing on the Dutch market can also open a corporate bank account. However, this is becoming more challenging. House of Companies can inform you about European banks that can open bank accounts for any kind of European entity, without a visit to the bank required.
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    A registered office address is convenient for any kind of business, that is planning to expand to a new market, and is taking it step by step. A registered office address (or virtual office) allows you to explore a new market, while limiting your expenses. It’s not about being ‘virtual’, but it’s about avoiding as much bureaucracy and legal expenses as you can, while your business is not yet at its full capacity. Our tools allow you to get an understanding of the legal framework of a country, so you are able to make the decisions for yourself, rather than having to rely on an accountant or lawyer.
  • Can I really submit my corporate tax return myself, without any charges?"
    Yes, anybody can submit their corporate tax return themselves, without any help from an accountant. Our Dashboard provides you the detailed information, step by step, on how to login to your online Tax Portal, and to file your tax return. Obviously, the more complicated your company activities (and transactions) the more complex your tax return will look like. But if you have almost no operations, then you can save thousands of euros in accounting fees, without requiring any accounting skills! Once your company grows, we offer more detailed information, so you can learn along the way. Or you can decide to involve an accountant at that stage.
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