Making use of the Small Businesses Scheme (KOR)

Turnover-dependent

The KOR is a turnover-related VAT exemption. You are eligible for this exemption if your turnover (excluding VAT) is no higher than €20,000 per calendar year.

All deliveries and services that are normally taxed with VAT, count towards this amount. You also need to include your VAT-exempt turnover from:

• the supply and rental of immovable property,
• financial services, and
• insurance services.

Turnover from other VAT-exempt services does not count towards the turnover limit. This includes, for instance, medical services, sports services, and services provided by writers and journalists.

Please note: the KOR only applies to turnover tax. You must continue to file a tax return for other taxes, such as income tax, and pay on time.

Changes to the KOR

From 1 January 2025, there will be changes to the KOR. The mandatory minimum period of 3 years' participation will no longer apply. You will also no longer have to wait 3 years after stopping the KOR before you can use the scheme again. This waiting period will soon take effect from the quarter in which the scheme stops up to and including the following calendar year.

In the exemption for small entrepreneurs, the application threshold of €1,800 will go up to €2,200 in 2025. If your turnover is under the threshold and you are not registered with KVK you automatically take part in the KOR.

From 2025, you can also use the EU KOR, the small businesses schemes that apply in other EU countries. Entrepreneurs from other EU countries can then also use the Dutch KOR. Your total annual turnover in the EU must remain below €100,000.

Voluntary scheme

Any entrepreneur can choose to apply this exemption scheme, regardless of the legal structure. This includes associations and foundations. If you choose to use the Small Businesses Scheme, you do so for a minimum of 3 years, or until you exceed a turnover of €20,000. Under the scheme, you do not charge VAT on your goods and services. Nor may you reclaim any VAT on expenses (input tax). You can keep your accounts simple and you do not have to file a VAT return.

You also do not have to send an invoice, but you are allowed to do so. No VAT percentage or VAT amount can be stated. Instead, the invoice should include the sentence 'factuur vrijgesteld van OB o.g.v. artikel 25 Wet OB' (invoice exempt from VAT under Article 25 of the Turnover Tax Act). If you make use of the KOR you do not need to meet the standard invoice requirements. 

Stop using the KOR

There are two moments when you can stop using the KOR: if you exceed the turnover limit for the KOR. Or if you have participated in the KOR for at least three years.

Exceeding the €20,000 limit

Have you made more than €20,000 turnover in a calendar year? Then you must end the KOR (in Dutch) and calculate VAT from the first delivery with which you exceed the €20,000 limit. From that moment, you must again keep the normal VAT records and file VAT returns. The turnover before exceeding the limit remains free of VAT. However, in the 3 years that follow, you can no longer make use of the KOR scheme.

Requesting to stop using the KOR yourself

Do you want to quit the KOR yourself? From 2025 onwards, there is no minimum period of participation. Submit your request to the Tax Administration no later than one month before the end of the quarter via the online form on Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk.

Is the KOR Small Businesses Scheme beneficial for you?

Do you meet the conditions for this scheme? Then it could give you some advantages. You do not have to keep VAT records or file VAT returns. The list below will help you decide whether the Small Businesses Scheme might be interesting for you:

• Are your customers mainly private individuals and organisations that cannot offset VAT? If your selling price remains the same as it was before you made use of the Small Businesses Scheme, your margin will be higher. In this case, the scheme will be interesting for you.
• Do you have many business customers? If you make use of the tax credit under this scheme, you cannot reclaim the VAT on purchases and business expenses. Your 'purchase price' will therefore be higher. To maintain the same margin, you then need to increase your selling price without VAT. This may make your product less interesting to business customers.
• Planning to make a big investment? If you use the KOR, you cannot reclaim the VAT paid. Your investment amount will increase as a result.
• Have you deducted VAT on investments as withholding tax over the past 5 years? If so, you will be faced with a VAT adjustment if the deducted VAT divided by 5 years is more than €500. You must then refund that amount of VAT. For investments in property, the calculation period is 10 years.
• Do you rent out your property subject to VAT? If so, you are not eligible for the Small Businesses Scheme.
• Do you have foreign customers or transactions for which you reverse-charge VAT? Then you must still file a VAT return. Read more about this on the website of the Netherlands Tax Administration (Dutch).

Follow the KOR checklist

View the Small Businesses Scheme checklist video. This guides you through the KOR in 7 simple steps.

Using the Small Businesses Scheme (KOR)

Are you already running a business and would you like to use the Small Businesses Scheme?

Then you need to apply to the Belastingdienst. You can participate in the scheme from the start of each new tax period (usually a quarter). Make sure the Tax Administration receives your application (in Dutch) no later than 4 weeks before the starting date.

Please note: you cannot use the KOR unless you have applied for it, and your application has been accepted by the Belastingdienst. A turnover of less than €20,000 does not automatically mean you are a KOR user.

Are you starting a business soon and would you like to make use of the KOR?

You can only apply for the scheme if you are an entrepreneur and have received a VAT identification number from the Tax Administration. The first possibility to participate in the Small Businesses Scheme is at the start of next quarter. Apply to the Tax Administration no later than 4 weeks before your desired starting date. You must submit your VAT return for the quarters in which you do not yet participate in the Small Businesses Scheme.

You can apply the Small Businesses Scheme after you get a written confirmation of participation from the Tax Administration. You must continue to file a VAT return for the quarters during which you were not yet participating in the scheme.

Turnover less than €1,800 and no KVK registration

Do you have an annual turnover of no more than €1,800 and are you unable to register with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce KVK? You can still use the KOR (in Dutch). In this case, you do not register as an entrepreneur for VAT and you do not have to report to the Tax Administration. You then make use of the voluntary registration threshold. You are not bound by the KOR’s minimum application period of 3 years.

You can always decide later to register as an entrepreneur for VAT with the Tax Administration. In any event, you must do so if your annual turnover exceeds €1,800. Check if you must register with KVK.

Sole proprietorship, solar panels and the KOR

Do you have a sole proprietorship and are considering buying solar panels for your home? From 2023, VAT for the supply and installation of solar panels on your home or an outbuilding will be 0%. When installing solar panels on a property with both a residential and business function, the 0% rate also applies. The choice to use the KOR for business purposes thus no longer has any private consequences. For the supply and installation of solar panels on a property other than a home, the VAT rate remains at 21%.

Be careful if you start a sole proprietorship now and have bought solar panels for your home before 2023. You probably reclaimed the VAT paid on the solar panels and then opted for the KOR. Participation in the KOR applies for a minimum of 3 years. Even now that you are starting a business. You cannot terminate participation mid-term. During those 3 years, you cannot reclaim the VAT paid on expenses and investments for your sole proprietorship either. After 3 years, you can opt out of the KOR. If your turnover in the 3 years exceeds €20,000 per year, you have to opt out.