Q2 VAT Filing Reminder: What to Check Before You Submit
July 4, 2025
How to Submit Your Dutch VAT Return Without (Too Much) Stress
It’s that time again, the end of Q2 means your VAT return for April, May, and June is due soon. If you're a founder building a business in the Netherlands, this guide is here to help you file your Q2 VAT (BTW) return properly and on time, without the last-minute panic or second-guessing.
The deadline for Q2 2025 is 31 July, and that includes both submission and payment. And yes, even if your business had no sales or expenses this quarter, you’re still required to file a nil return. No activity doesn’t mean no obligation.
Here’s what to check before you submit, what founders often miss, and how to make the whole process a little easier next time.
At Startup Accounting, we work with founders like you every day to take the stress out of VAT returns, bookkeeping, and startup compliance. We are ready to take the whole process off your hands, so you have the time to focus on growing your business!
We file on time, every time. We catch the small stuff that founders often miss. And we help you make sure you’re not overpaying VAT, or underclaiming what you’re owed.
If this quarter’s return is giving you a headache, or if you know you need a better system in place before Q3 rolls around, let’s chat!
What to Double-Check Before You Submit
Let’s walk through the essentials to review before you hit submit
Need a Hand? That’s What We Do.
1. Open a separate business account early
Choose a reputable bank and set it up as soon as you have a KVK registration. Use this account exclusively for business income and expenses.
Even freelancers benefit: it reduces confusion when preparing your VAT aangifte and ensures compliance with the Belastingdienst.
2. Use clear payment references
Use useful and specific descriptions for transfers:
"Salary – April 2025" instead of "Transfer"
"Invoice 302 – ABC Client" instead of "Payment"
"Reimbursement – June Marketing Lunch" for staff expenses
This assists your accountant, streamlines audits, and ensures transparent record-keeping.
3. Record every expense with proof
Every business-related payment should be meticulously matched to:
An invoice
A receipt
A reimbursement claim
Tip: The Belastingdienst requires supporting documentation for each input VAT claim. Store receipts digitally in organised folders or utilise tools like Basecone.
4. Keep your owner transactions clean
If you're paying yourself:
For BVs: Pay via salary (through payroll) or dividend.
For eenmanszaak: Transfer money as an "owner's draw" with a clear label.
Avoid vague, one-off transfers like "€1,000 – Savings." Such transactions muddy your records and complicate tax season.
5. Monitor regularly
Log in weekly to:
Reconcile new transactions
Flag any unclear transactions
Ensure invoices and receipts are properly linked
This habit saves significant time when preparing your VAT return or compiling financial statements.
1. Start with your sales invoices. Make sure every invoice dated between 1 April and 30 June is included, and only those.
A common mistake we see? Including July invoices in Q2, or accidentally pulling in an April invoice last quarter. If you’re on the standard invoice basis (which you probably are), it’s the invoice date, not the payment date, that matters.
Next, go through your expenses and receipts. If you paid VAT on a legitimate business cost during Q2, you can usually reclaim it, but only if you have a proper invoice. No invoice means no claim. Watch out for missing receipts, especially for small purchases like software, office supplies, or subscriptions paid with a personal card. They add up fast.
2. It’s also worth reviewing VAT rates on everything. Most sales and expenses will be at the standard 21%, but some goods and services fall under the 9% or 0% rates. If you’ve got a mix on one invoice, your bookkeeping should reflect that clearly. This isn’t about perfection, it’s about avoiding red flags or missed refunds.
One thing we often remind founders: not all VAT is deductible. Restaurant meals, for example, aren’t reclaimable, even if you were pitching your startup over lunch. Same goes for anything that’s partly or fully personal, if your startup bought a laptop that you also use at home, you can only claim the VAT for the business portion. If you’re unsure, it’s better to leave it out or ask a pro (like us!)
3. Before submitting, take a step back and check that your totals make sense. Does the amount you owe (or are claiming back) feel right given your sales and costs? If you suddenly owe a lot more than last quarter, or are due a big refund, double-check the inputs. Often it might just be down to a simple typo or missing invoice.
And if you found a small mistake in Q1 (like a missed invoice or incorrect amount), you can usually correct it now in Q2, as long as the VAT difference is under €1,000. Bigger corrections need to go through a separate process (a suppletie form), but minor fixes can be handled now with a short note in your records.
First: Know What the Tax Office (Belastingdienst) Actually Expects
If you’re filing quarterly (which most startups do), the Belastingdienst expects your Q2 VAT return and payment to be received by 31 July. That means the money has to hit their account, not just leave yours. If you're cutting it close, you might want to use iDEAL or transfer a few days early just to be safe.
And even if your startup had zero revenue and zero costs, you still need to file. It’s called a nil return (nihilaangifte), and skipping it triggers the same penalty as filing late. Luckily, filing a nil return only takes a couple of minutes, so don’t let that small task turn into a fine.
You can set up reminders through the Belastingdienst portal or download the Btw-Alert app. It’s worth doing, missing a deadline because you simply forgot is an annoying (and expensive) mistake that’s easy to prevent.
Making VAT Less of a Headache
Let’s be honest: VAT filing isn’t the most exciting part of running a startup. But getting it right protects your cash flow, keeps you out of trouble with the tax office, and saves you from scrambling every quarter.
One of the best things you can do for future-you is stay on top of your bookkeeping. Update things monthly, not just at quarter-end. That way, when it’s time to file, your numbers are already in order and it’s more of a quick review than a full excavation.
If you’re not already using accounting software or an accountant, it might be time.
If you’re reaching the point where it’s just too much to manage alone, that’s exactly why we exist.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Q2 VAT Filing Reminder: What to Check Before You Submit
How to Submit Your Dutch VAT Return Without (Too Much) Stress
It’s that time again, the end of Q2 means your VAT return for April, May, and June is due soon. If you're a founder building a business in the Netherlands, this guide is here to help you file your Q2 VAT (BTW) return properly and on time, without the last-minute panic or second-guessing.
The deadline for Q2 2025 is 31 July, and that includes both submission and payment. And yes, even if your business had no sales or expenses this quarter, you’re still required to file a nil return. No activity doesn’t mean no obligation.
Here’s what to check before you submit, what founders often miss, and how to make the whole process a little easier next time.
First: Know What the Tax Office (Belastingdienst) Actually Expects
If you’re filing quarterly (which most startups do), the Belastingdienst expects your Q2 VAT return and payment to be received by 31 July. That means the money has to hit their account, not just leave yours. If you're cutting it close, you might want to use iDEAL or transfer a few days early just to be safe.
And even if your startup had zero revenue and zero costs, you still need to file. It’s called a nil return (nihilaangifte), and skipping it triggers the same penalty as filing late. Luckily, filing a nil return only takes a couple of minutes, so don’t let that small task turn into a fine.
You can set up reminders through the Belastingdienst portal or download the Btw-Alert app. It’s worth doing, missing a deadline because you simply forgot is an annoying (and expensive) mistake that’s easy to prevent.
Making VAT Less of a Headache
Let’s be honest: VAT filing isn’t the most exciting part of running a startup. But getting it right protects your cash flow, keeps you out of trouble with the tax office, and saves you from scrambling every quarter.
One of the best things you can do for future-you is stay on top of your bookkeeping. Update things monthly, not just at quarter-end. That way, when it’s time to file, your numbers are already in order and it’s more of a quick review than a full excavation.
If you’re not already using accounting software or an accountant, it might be time.
If you’re reaching the point where it’s just too much to manage alone, that’s exactly why we exist.
Q2 VAT Filing Reminder: What to Check Before You Submit
How to Submit Your Dutch VAT Return Without (Too Much) Stress
It’s that time again, the end of Q2 means your VAT return for April, May, and June is due soon. If you're a founder building a business in the Netherlands, this guide is here to help you file your Q2 VAT (BTW) return properly and on time, without the last-minute panic or second-guessing.
The deadline for Q2 2025 is 31 July, and that includes both submission and payment. And yes, even if your business had no sales or expenses this quarter, you’re still required to file a nil return. No activity doesn’t mean no obligation.
Here’s what to check before you submit, what founders often miss, and how to make the whole process a little easier next time.
First: Know What the Tax Office (Belastingdienst) Actually Expects
If you’re filing quarterly (which most startups do), the Belastingdienst expects your Q2 VAT return and payment to be received by 31 July. That means the money has to hit their account, not just leave yours. If you're cutting it close, you might want to use iDEAL or transfer a few days early just to be safe.
And even if your startup had zero revenue and zero costs, you still need to file. It’s called a nil return (nihilaangifte), and skipping it triggers the same penalty as filing late. Luckily, filing a nil return only takes a couple of minutes, so don’t let that small task turn into a fine.
You can set up reminders through the Belastingdienst portal or download the Btw-Alert app. It’s worth doing, missing a deadline because you simply forgot is an annoying (and expensive) mistake that’s easy to prevent.
1. Start with your sales invoices. Make sure every invoice dated between 1 April and 30 June is included, and only those.
A common mistake we see? Including July invoices in Q2, or accidentally pulling in an April invoice last quarter. If you’re on the standard invoice basis (which you probably are), it’s the invoice date, not the payment date, that matters.
Next, go through your expenses and receipts. If you paid VAT on a legitimate business cost during Q2, you can usually reclaim it, but only if you have a proper invoice. No invoice means no claim. Watch out for missing receipts, especially for small purchases like software, office supplies, or subscriptions paid with a personal card. They add up fast.
2. It’s also worth reviewing VAT rates on everything. Most sales and expenses will be at the standard 21%, but some goods and services fall under the 9% or 0% rates. If you’ve got a mix on one invoice, your bookkeeping should reflect that clearly. This isn’t about perfection, it’s about avoiding red flags or missed refunds.
One thing we often remind founders: not all VAT is deductible. Restaurant meals, for example, aren’t reclaimable, even if you were pitching your startup over lunch. Same goes for anything that’s partly or fully personal, if your startup bought a laptop that you also use at home, you can only claim the VAT for the business portion. If you’re unsure, it’s better to leave it out or ask a pro (like us!)
At Startup Accounting, we work with founders like you every day to take the stress out of VAT returns, bookkeeping, and startup compliance. We are ready to take the whole process off your hands, so you have the time to focus on growing your business!
We file on time, every time. We catch the small stuff that founders often miss. And we help you make sure you’re not overpaying VAT, or underclaiming what you’re owed.
If this quarter’s return is giving you a headache, or if you know you need a better system in place before Q3 rolls around, let’s chat!
What to Double-Check Before You Submit
Let’s walk through the essentials to review before you hit submit
1. Start with your sales invoices. Make sure every invoice dated between 1 April and 30 June is included, and only those.
A common mistake we see? Including July invoices in Q2, or accidentally pulling in an April invoice last quarter. If you’re on the standard invoice basis (which you probably are), it’s the invoice date, not the payment date, that matters.
Next, go through your expenses and receipts. If you paid VAT on a legitimate business cost during Q2, you can usually reclaim it, but only if you have a proper invoice. No invoice means no claim. Watch out for missing receipts, especially for small purchases like software, office supplies, or subscriptions paid with a personal card. They add up fast.
3. Before submitting, take a step back and check that your totals make sense. Does the amount you owe (or are claiming back) feel right given your sales and costs? If you suddenly owe a lot more than last quarter, or are due a big refund, double-check the inputs. Often it might just be down to a simple typo or missing invoice.
And if you found a small mistake in Q1 (like a missed invoice or incorrect amount), you can usually correct it now in Q2, as long as the VAT difference is under €1,000. Bigger corrections need to go through a separate process (a suppletie form), but minor fixes can be handled now with a short note in your records.
Need a Hand? That’s What We Do.
Making VAT Less of a Headache
Let’s be honest: VAT filing isn’t the most exciting part of running a startup. But getting it right protects your cash flow, keeps you out of trouble with the tax office, and saves you from scrambling every quarter.
One of the best things you can do for future-you is stay on top of your bookkeeping. Update things monthly, not just at quarter-end. That way, when it’s time to file, your numbers are already in order and it’s more of a quick review than a full excavation.
If you’re not already using accounting software or an accountant, it might be time.
If you’re reaching the point where it’s just too much to manage alone, that’s exactly why we exist.