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Corporate income tax (Vpb) is the tax your BV pays on profits. Returns are filed annually via the Tax and Customs Administration — no later than 5 months after the end of the financial year, with the option of an extension via your accountant. For 2024, the following applies: 19% on the first €200,000 of profit (low rate) and 25.8% on the excess (high rate). Those who are late receive a default penalty; those who fabricate figures receive an offense penalty. Below: how the return works, what is deductible, and how to do it without panicking.
The short answer
- Filing deadline: 5 months after the end of the financial year — usually 1 June for a calendar year.
- Deferral: up to 1 year possible via an accountant or tax specialist (the “tax consultant deferral scheme”).
- 2024 rate: 19% up to €200,000, 25.8% above that.
- What is included: balance sheet, income statement, tax adjustments, provisional assessment settlement.
- Who does it: usually the accountant — doing it yourself is possible, but not recommended.
Financial year and filing deadline
The financial year of a BV runs standardly from 1 January to 31 December. If incorporation takes place halfway through the year, the first financial year may be extended (extended first financial year — up to 24 months), so that one return needs to be filed instead of two.
The return must be filed no later than 5 months after the end of the financial year. For a calendar year: June 1 of the following year. Need an extension? Engage a tax specialist or accountant with an extension permit — they can easily obtain an extension until May of the following year.
Rates 2024 and 2025
Two-disk system since 2022:
- First €200,000 profit: 19% (2024 and 2025).
- Above that: 25.8% (2024 and 2025).
An effective rate of 9% applies to the innovation box — read about the innovation box.
What does the tax return state?
The declaration requests:
- Tax balance sheet and profit and loss account.
- Reconciliation of commercial → fiscal figures.
- Adjustments for non-deductible expenses (mixed expenses 73.5% deduction, limited representation expenses).
- Depreciation, provisions, reinvestment reserves.
- Participation exemption — see participation exemption.
- Loss set-off (carry-back 1 year, carry-forward unlimited).
- Provisional assessment — set-off against final assessment.
Non-deductible and partially deductible expenses
Not everything you pay is deductible from profit:
- Fines and penalties: not deductible.
- Bribes: not deductible (and illegal).
- Representation expenses: 73.5% deductible — dinner with client partially.
- Mixed expenses: 73.5% — car, telephone, etc. that are partly private.
- Donations: partially tax-deductible (50% up to the maximum amount).
Provisional assessment
During the financial year, your BV receives a provisional assessment — an estimate based on the previous year. Too high? Apply for a reduction. Too low? You pay the difference with the final assessment, plus possible tax interest (4% upon inquiry).
Smart: apply for a higher provisional assessment yourself in the event of significantly improved profits, to avoid tax interest.
How much does a corporate tax return cost?
- Accountant (simple BV): € 750 – € 1.500.
- Accountant (average SME): € 1.500 – € 3.500.
- Accountant + tax optimization: € 3.500 – € 10.000.
For Karim — our IT entrepreneur with a holding structure — this means two tax returns (holding + operating company), or one in the case of a fiscal unity. Investment: a few thousand per year; savings through smart planning often many times more.
Honest recommendation
Do not file your corporate income tax return yourself — tax rules change annually and errors cost more than an accountant. Hire someone with a deferral permit (provides more flexibility) who also handles tax planning (not an administrative factory). A good accountant pays for themselves through smart use of the participation exemption, innovation box, fiscal unity, and optimal customary salary.
For other topics: which taxes does a BV pay, innovation box and corporate income tax exemptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
No later than 5 months after the end of the financial year. For a calendar financial year: 1 June of the following year. With an accountant or tax specialist holding a deferral permit, a deferral of up to 1 year can be obtained — common in SMEs.
In 2024 and 2025: 19% on the first €200,000 of profit (low rate) and 25.8% on the excess. Innovative profit under the innovation box: effective rate of 9%.
Fines, bribes, and certain mixed expenses are not deductible or only partially deductible. Representation and mixed expenses are 73.5% deductible. Donations are limited to a percentage of profit.
Losses may be offset against profits for one year backward (carry-back) and indefinitely forward (carry-forward). In the tax return, this is tracked annually until it is used up.
Tax and Customs Administration's estimate during the financial year — based on previous years. In the case of varying profits, you can request a reduction or increase to avoid tax interest (4%) on the final assessment.
Technically, it is possible via Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk. In practice: not recommended unless the administration is very simple. A good accountant costs €750 – €3,500 but saves more through tax planning.
Default penalty of €385 (1st time), €5,514 (2nd time), and possibly an ex officio assessment based on an estimate by the Tax and Customs Administration — often too high. In case of intent or gross negligence: penalty of 25% to 100% of the assessment.
