Questions about Dutch annual accounts
Direct answers to the questions asked most often — with the basis from Book 2 DCC attached.
All questions
Do I have to file annual accounts if my BV had no turnover?
Yes. The filing obligation of art. 2:394 DCC attaches to the legal form, not to the activity. A dormant BV without turnover also files…
What happens if I file the annual accounts late?
Filing late is a criminal offence and can result in a fine. In bankruptcy, art. 2:248(2) DCC can give rise to presumptions of mismanagement and…
Can I still correct filed annual accounts?
Yes. The route depends on the error and the status of the annual accounts. In the case of a serious error after adoption, the duty to notify of art. 2:362(6) DCC applies…
Who has to sign the annual accounts?
All directors and, if there are any, all supervisory directors sign the annual accounts. If a signature is missing, the reason must be stated…
What is the difference between annual accounts and an annual report?
The annual accounts contain the balance sheet, profit and loss account and notes. A management report additionally describes the course of business and outlook…
How long must I keep my annual accounts and records?
Seven years under the tax retention obligation (art. 52 AWR). For data on immovable property, ten years apply because of the VAT adjustment period…
Does my holding have to prepare consolidated accounts?
A holding in principle consolidates, unless, for example, the small group exemption (art. 2:407 DCC) or the intermediate holding exemption (art. 2:408 DCC) applies…
What is a trial balance and why do I need one?
A trial balance is the overview of all ledger accounts with their closing balance, in which debit and credit are equal. It is the starting point of every set of annual accounts…
Does a foundation have a publication obligation?
Filing under Title 9 can apply at a net turnover of at least € 7,5 million from an enterprise in two consecutive years. AN…
When is an accountant mandatory for the annual accounts?
Medium-sized and large entities are in principle subject to a statutory audit requirement (art. 2:393 DCC). Micro and small ones…
What is the difference between a compilation report and an auditor's report?
Compiling supports the preparation without providing assurance. An auditor's report follows from an examination and gives reasonable…
Do I have to publish my profit and loss account?
Micro and small entities do not have to publish their profit and loss account with the KVK. Internally they do prepare one; the publi…
What does filing the annual accounts with the KVK cost?
The KVK charges nothing for filing. The preparation, any accountant's work and the SBR software used can…
Can I file with the KVK myself, without an accountant?
Yes, if you are micro or small. There is then no audit requirement and you may prepare, have adopted and file the annual accounts yourself…
What is RGS and do I need it for my annual accounts?
RGS gives ledger accounts standard codes. It is not legally required for the annual accounts and does not take over the substance…
What are SBR and XBRL?
SBR is the Dutch standard for digital reporting and XBRL a data format. At the KVK you can also use the portal…
What is a non-calendar financial year and what does it mean for the deadline?
A financial year that does not coincide with the calendar year. The periods stay the same, but they are counted from your own…
How much dividend may I distribute from my BV?
A BV may distribute dividend within the free space above statutory and articles-based reserves, provided the board approves the distribution…
What are statutory reserves and why may I not distribute them?
Statutory reserves are restricted equity, for example for development costs or revaluation. They reduce…
Do I have to prepare a cash flow statement?
Not if you are micro or small — they are exempt. Medium-sized and large entities do include a cash flow statement…
My balance sheet does not balance — now what?
Compare the trial balance and the annual accounts. Check the appropriation of result, the export period, formulas and mapping; fix the original…
When must I recognise a provision?
A provision concerns a probable or certain obligation whose amount or timing is uncertain. Art. 2:37…
What do I do about events after the balance sheet date?
New information about the position at the balance sheet date can change the figures. Significant events arising later…
May I prepare my annual accounts in Excel?
Yes. Excel may be used as a tool, but the annual accounts must meet the statutory content requirements and be filed via a permitted KVK…
What is the final date for filing the annual accounts?
The annual accounts must be filed at the latest twelve months after the financial year. After earlier adoption the shorter…
What is the difference between tax and commercial annual accounts?
The commercial annual accounts follow Title 9 Book 2 DCC; the taxable profit follows tax rules. Temporary valuation differences…
When am I a small entity?
From financial year 2024, two of three limits apply for small: € 7,5 million assets, € 15 million turnover and fewer than 50 em…
Do I have to include the comparative figures of last year?
State as far as possible the previous amounts per line item of the annual accounts (art. 2:363(5) DCC). Revise them where necessary for comparable…
How long does it take to prepare annual accounts?
The duration depends on the records, complexity and planning. Budget separately for the closing, the preparation, the…
Do I still have to prepare annual accounts if the BV is dissolved?
Complete open financial years before the dissolution. On dissolution with assets, the BV continues to exist for winding up and accounts must be…
Which annual accounts program suits a single BV?
With a simple reporting package you can serve one BV. Choose on your file, the notes required and the route for…
How do I test annual accounts software with my own figures?
With a closed financial year you test whether software takes over your figures correctly. Compare items, corrections and notes…
Can I use annual accounts software once only?
Yes. If the supplier offers one-off use, that can suit a single file. Check export, corrections and…
How do I switch to other annual accounts software?
With a complete handover file and a reconciliation to the last closed year. Also migrate policies, corrections…
Can I process several BVs in one package?
Yes, if the package supports multiple administrations. Keep a separate file per BV; a single software environment does not yet make…
Is my bookkeeping export enough for the annual accounts?
No. A bookkeeping export contains figures, but not always the agreements and estimates needed for complete annual…
Does annual accounts software work without an API link?
Yes. A suitable file export can replace an API link. Check completeness, financial year and reconciliation before…
Can I program an XBRL file myself?
Yes. You must apply the right taxonomy and submission rules. A valid XML file is not yet a substantively correct or accepted…
What do I do with an XBRL validation error?
With the exact error code, first look up the cause. Fix source data or export settings and validate again before…
Can I convert an annual accounts pdf to XBRL?
Yes, with interpretation and checking of the data. Merely changing the file format does not turn a pdf into a usable…
Can software process an extended financial year?
Yes, if the package supports deviating reporting periods. Test the dates, comparisons and export before you process an extended…
Does my accountant need to be able to work in my software?
No, not always. A complete export file may suffice. Agree in advance which access and files the accountant needs for…
Do I choose online or offline annual accounts software?
With both routes you can carry out year-end work. Choose on collaboration, updates, security and the ability to hold your file yourself…
Does correcting an old financial year cost extra software fees?
That depends on your licence. Ask whether reopening, a new export and technical support for old financial years are inclu…
How do I prevent wrong annual accounts versions?
With fixed version names, limited editing rights and a frozen final file. Check which version was signed, f…
Does my DGA BV already have to file in November for 2025?
Often yes. If signing is also adoption, the extra adoption months lapse. With maximum deferral the KVK states…
Does a deferral for CIT also give a deferral at the KVK?
No. A deferral for the corporate income tax return does not extend the annual accounts periods. For preparing and filing…
Can I adopt my annual accounts in writing?
Yes. For a BV this can be done through decision-making outside a meeting, provided all persons entitled to attend agree to that route and…
Is signing at my holding the same as adopting?
Often yes, if all shareholders are also directors and the statutory conditions are met. Check other…
May my first financial year last eighteen months?
Yes, if that fits the articles of association and the incorporation. An extended first financial year must be processed correctly in the records…
Do I have to file annual accounts that have not been adopted?
Yes, if the statutory period for adoption has expired. File the prepared annual accounts then, with the status that they have not been…
What if a shareholder rejects the annual accounts?
First examine the objection and the applicable voting rules. A conflict does not suspend the publication obligation; where necessary the…
Do I get a deferral if my bookkeeper is ill?
Not automatically. Your bookkeeper's illness does not change the periods by itself. Arrange a replacement and assess a valid…
Who arranges the annual accounts after a BV is taken over?
The board monitors the BV's obligations. Agreements with the seller additionally determine who does the preparatory work…
Does a former director have to sign the annual accounts?
Not because of earlier involvement alone. Look at the board when the accounts are prepared and signed and record changes of board…
May I prepare the annual accounts in English?
Yes, if the general meeting decides on another language. For publication the language rules of art. 2:3… also apply
May my annual accounts be in dollars instead of euros?
Yes, if the activities or international group structure justify it. A dollar bank account alone does not make that choice…
May I sign the annual accounts digitally?
Yes, with an appropriate electronic signature. Ensure demonstrable identity, the right document version and reliable…
Do I have to send minutes to the KVK?
No, with an ordinary filing of annual accounts you do not send the full minutes as standard. Keep the adoption resolution…
Does an owners' association (VvE) have to file its annual accounts with the KVK?
No, an ordinary VvE does not file its annual accounts like a BV. The board must, however, give an annual financial account…
Does a micro BV also need a P&L internally?
Yes. The micro exemption limits publication. Internally the micro BV must prepare an abridged profit and loss account…
Where do I put the DGA current account on the balance sheet?
As a receivable when the DGA has to pay the BV, and as a liability in the opposite case. Also assess term, interest…
Is my BV bankrupt with negative equity?
No. Negative equity is an important signal, but not the same as bankruptcy. Investigate affordability…
What do I state if new financing is uncertain?
With a substantiated going-concern assessment and an appropriate note. Do not assume financing that has not yet been committed…
Is a dividend after the balance sheet date already a liability?
Not automatically. Look at when a valid distribution obligation arises. A wish or proposal for dividend is not yet a resolution…
Are balance sheet amounts including or excluding VAT?
That differs per item. Receivables and payables usually include VAT. Deductible VAT is shown separately from costs and invest…
Is my provisional CIT assessment the tax charge?
No. The provisional assessment is an advance payment. Calculate the tax charge and offset advances paid against the remaining…
Where does next year's repayment go?
Under current liabilities or the required maturity information, depending on the model. Split the loan on the basis of…
How do I restore private costs in the BV annual accounts?
With a correction that fits the actual nature of the payment. A private expense is not automatically a business cost…
Can I close if not all invoices have arrived yet?
Yes, with sufficient support for costs and obligations. The receipt date of the invoice does not decide only where…
Is the CIT return included in the price of the annual accounts?
Not automatically. Annual accounts, CIT return and filing are separate activities. Have the quote state what is included…
Do I pay separately for the holding and the operating company?
Often yes: they are separate files. The price depends on the engagement; group work and mutual reconciliations can…
Can an accountant review my own annual accounts?
Yes, with an appropriate engagement. Determine whether you need advice, compilation, review or audit: they provide different…
Can my bookkeeper issue an auditor's report?
Only if that person is an authorised accountant for the engagement. A bookkeeping report is not automatically an auditor's…
Is the KVK balance sheet enough for my bank?
Often not. A bank may need results, notes and current figures in addition to the public balance sheet. Ask about the…
Which annual figures do I need for a mortgage?
The lender or income assessor determines the requirements. Collect final annual figures, tax returns and where necessary…
Can a subsidy still make an accountant mandatory?
Yes. Subsidy conditions can require an accountant's product, even without a statutory audit of the annual accounts. Read decisions…
Do my annual accounts get cheaper if I prepare?
It can, if your preparation is usable and the price agreement matches. Discuss in advance which checks and documents…
What should a fixed price for year-end work include?
A description of activities, assumptions and exceptions. Only compare fixed amounts once it is clear what…
Can I change accountant during the year-end work?
Yes, but arrange termination of the engagement, succession and file transfer carefully. A change does not alter the annual accounts periods…
Must the general meeting approve or adopt the annual accounts?
In a BV and an NV the general meeting adopts the annual accounts; the law does not use the word approve there…
Does a foundation have a general meeting, and who adopts the annual accounts?
No: a foundation has no members and therefore no general meeting. For a foundation under Title 9 the body…
How do you process a management fee between holding and operating company in the annual accounts?
For the operating company the management fee is a cost item, for the holding an income. What is still open at the balance sheet date…
Do I still have to prepare and file annual accounts on a turbo liquidation of my BV?
Yes, in a slimmed-down form. On a turbo liquidation the board files a balance sheet and a… within 14 days of the dissolution
What is share premium and how do I put it on my BV's balance sheet?
Share premium is what shareholders have paid in above the nominal amount of the shares, and also a payment without new sha…
What is a jaarrekening in English? The key terms at a glance
Jaarrekening in English is "annual accounts" or "financial statements"; the KVK uses both on its English pages…
Depreciating: how long and from what amount do I capitalise?
There is no statutory amount at which you must capitalise: an expenditure that has benefit for longer than a year and can be reliably measured…
Prepaid costs on the balance sheet: prepayments and accrued income
Prepaid costs for a following period appear as a prepayment under current assets, usually combined…
What counts as major maintenance?
Major maintenance is periodic work after a longer period of use that keeps the condition of an asset up to standard,…
Deposits: financial fixed assets or receivables?
A deposit paid is a receivable from the counterparty. If you only get it back after more than twelve months, it is shown…
Extended profit and loss account: what does it contain?
The extended profit and loss account shows all items of art. 2:377 DCC, by nature (costs by type) or by function…
Calculating equity: two ways, one result
Equity is assets minus provisions and liabilities (including accruals). It is also the sum of issued…
Who has to file the annual accounts with the KVK?
The BV, the NV and the cooperative must file annual accounts every financial year, even without turnover. A foundation or associ…
Annual accounts of a BV with a foreign Ltd as shareholder
The Dutch BV follows Title 9 Book 2 DCC like any BV: prepare within five months, adoption by the general…
VAT voluntary disclosure for a prior financial year: what does it mean for the annual accounts?
If you discover the VAT error before the annual accounts are adopted, you process it in those annual accounts as far as necessary…
The DGA salary (customary wage) in the BV's annual accounts
The DGA's salary is a personnel cost: wages, social security charges and pension charges in the profit and loss account, also…
Example annual accounts for a BV: micro, worked out line by line
A micro BV prepares a balance sheet and a profit and loss account, with no or few notes (art. 2:395a DCC; RJk M1…
Do I need a PKIoverheid certificate to file the annual accounts?
Micro and small file themselves via the KVK portal Zelf Deponeren, with eHerkenning (at least level 2) or e-mail and password…
Catching up on overdue annual accounts: filing several years at once
File each missing financial year separately, starting with the oldest. The final deadline is twelve months after the end of the…
Eight days after adoption and at the latest twelve months: what about thirteen?
File within eight days after adoption (art. 2:394(1) DCC) and at the latest twelve months after the end of the financial year…
SBI 2025 code when filing the annual accounts: what must be stated?
The Business Register has used SBI 2025 since the weekend of 6 and 7 September 2025. AFAS writes that with an annual accounts…
Annual accounts uploaded but not filed: confirmation of receipt and check
Via SBR you receive by e-mail a confirmation of receipt via Digipoort if there are no particulars; otherwise you get…
iXBRL, XBRL and SBR Report Package in plain language
XBRL is a form with fixed boxes following the taxonomy; iXBRL is a readable XHTML document in which amounts are tagged…
What do eHerkenning, PKIoverheid and SBR software cost for filing?
The KVK charges nothing for filing. According to KPN (April 2025), eHerkenning costs from € 20 per year for level 2+ and from…
What do the annual accounts of a foundation look like? An example with figures
A foundation without a large enterprise prepares within six months after the financial year a balance sheet and a statement of income and expenses…
What do the annual accounts of an association look like? An example with figures
The annual accounts of an association consist of a balance sheet and a statement of income and expenses with notes, within six m…
What does the audit committee do with an association's annual accounts?
The audit committee (kascommissie) consists of at least two members who are not part of the board, is appointed annually by the members…
Annual accounts step-by-step plan for an association's treasurer
A treasurer closes the records, prepares the balance sheet and the statement of income and expenses and submits them within six m…
Does an association or foundation have to file annual accounts? The € 7,5 million threshold
An association or foundation falls under Title 9 and must file if its registered enterprises in two consecutive…
Dormant BV: do I have to prepare and file annual accounts?
Yes. A dormant BV is simply a BV in the eyes of the law: the board keeps records, prepares annual accounts every year…
My BV made a loss: what do I do with the annual accounts?
A loss is no statutory obstacle to preparing, adopting or filing. It reduces equity and forces…
How do you process an own-management pension in the BV's annual accounts?
A BV that has an own-management pension for the DGA recognises on the balance sheet a provision for the accrued up to the balance sheet date…
Preparing annual accounts without bookkeeping: is that possible?
Not with bank statements alone: annual accounts count the income and expenses of the financial year, even if they are not yet…
What is the cheapest way to prepare annual accounts?
The cheapest route is to prepare them yourself with software, and for a micro or small entity that is allowed: no accountant…
How do I read annual accounts?
Read annual accounts in five steps: (1) which size class and which period, (2) the balance sheet: what does the company own and…
Can I do the CIT return myself?
Yes. A BV must always file a corporate income tax return and may do so itself, via Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk or with…
Exporting the XAF audit file: where do I find it in my bookkeeping package?
You create an XAF audit file in your bookkeeping package under export or administration: Exact Online via Import/Export, Twinfield via…
Annual accounts under IFRS in the Netherlands: is that allowed?
Yes. Art. 2:362(8) DCC allows every Dutch legal entity to prepare the annual accounts under the EU-adopted…
What do annual accounts consist of?
Annual accounts consist of a balance sheet, a profit and loss account and notes (art. 2:361(1) DCC). The manage…
What must annual accounts comply with?
Annual accounts must, according to accepted standards, enable readers to form a sound judgement on the capital and…
Are annual accounts mandatory for an owners' association (VvE)?
Yes, but not as Title 9 annual accounts: an ordinary VvE prepares annually within six months after the financial year a balance sheet and…
Does a vof have to file annual accounts with the KVK?
No, as a rule not. A vof or cv only falls under Title 9 and the filing obligation (art. 2:394 DCC) if all partners…
Requesting, viewing or looking up annual accounts at the KVK
Look up the company by name or KVK number under Jaarrekeningen on kvk.nl and download the document: € 3,90 per document according to the…
Where do I find my annual accounts?
Start with your own archive and your bookkeeper: that is where the complete, signed annual accounts are. At the KVK up to seven…
Checking a supplier's or customer's financial position with their annual accounts
Retrieve the filed annual accounts from the KVK and calculate three things: solvency, current ratio and working capital, for…
KVK extract or annual accounts: what is the difference and who asks for which document?
A KVK extract shows who a company is and who may sign: legal form, establishments, officers. The annual accounts…
How do you request the annual accounts of a German, Belgian or other European company?
Every country has its own register. In Belgium the annual accounts are held by the Balanscentrale of the National Bank (accor…
Assessment year or financial year: which year counts for tax?
For corporate income tax the financial year counts; only without regular bookkeeping does the calendar year count (art. 7 par…
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to file annual accounts if my BV had no turnover?
Yes. The filing obligation of art. 2:394 DCC attaches to the legal form, not to the activity. A dormant BV without turnover also files annual accounts.
What happens if I file the annual accounts late?
Filing late is a criminal offence and can result in a fine. In bankruptcy, art. 2:248(2) DCC can give rise to presumptions of mismanagement and its cause.
Can I still correct filed annual accounts?
Yes. The route depends on the error and the status of the annual accounts. In the case of a serious error after adoption, the duty to notify of art. 2:362(6) DCC applies.
Who has to sign the annual accounts?
All directors and, if there are any, all supervisory directors sign the annual accounts. If a signature is missing, the reason for it must be stated.
What is the difference between annual accounts and an annual report?
The annual accounts contain the balance sheet, profit and loss account and notes. A management report additionally describes the course of business and outlook.
How long must I keep my annual accounts and records?
Seven years under the tax retention obligation (art. 52 AWR). For data on immovable property, ten years apply because of the VAT adjustment period.
Does my holding have to prepare consolidated accounts?
A holding in principle consolidates, unless, for example, the small group exemption (art. 2:407 DCC) or the intermediate holding exemption (art. 2:408 DCC) applies.
What is a trial balance and why do I need one?
A trial balance is the overview of all ledger accounts with their closing balance, in which debit and credit are equal. It is the starting point of every set of annual accounts.
Preparing Dutch annual accounts?
Your first set of annual accounts is free, for every size class. Create an account and prepare the annual accounts of your Dutch company under Title 9 of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code.
Get started