From input to decision

Five calculations from start to finish

A calculator gives an amount. Here you can also see the inputs, calculation steps, correct interpretation, limitations and checks to make before a decision.

01

ZZP · stable year

€60,000 revenue and €10,000 expenses

The entrepreneur meets the hours criterion, no longer uses the starter deduction and has no other income. Revenue and expenses exclude VAT.

Revenue
€60,000
Business expenses
− €10,000
Profit
€50,000
Tax + Zvw
− €9,674
Annual take-home
€40,326
Average per month
€3,360

What the result means

Personal take-home is calculated from profit, not revenue. The effective burden in this scenario is about 19,3%. VAT and buffers for holiday, pension and quiet months remain separate.

Not included: tax partner, mortgage interest, pension, other income, Box 2, Box 3 or benefits.

Calculate your own ZZP scenario →
02

ZZP · higher profit

€90,000 revenue and €18,000 expenses

With the same assumptions, profit rises to €72,000. This shows why one fixed reserve percentage does not suit every income level.

Profit before tax
€72,000
Income tax
− €17,483
Zvw
− €2,998
Annual take-home
€51,520
Effective burden
28,4%

What higher profit changes

As taxable income rises, part enters a higher band and tax credits are withdrawn. Update the reserve quarterly using cumulative profit rather than one percentage of revenue.

This is a one-year, one-business simulation and does not decide automatically whether a BV is better.

Compare ZZP and BV →
03

Employee

€48,000 gross per year

We assume an employee below AOW age, one employer and full application of the general and employment tax credits.

Annual gross
€48,000
Tax before credits
€17,325
Tax credits
− €7,475
Annual net
€38,150
Average net per month
€3,179

Why a payslip may differ

Holiday allowance, pension, collective agreement, extras, company car and payroll tax credit affect the actual payment. An annual average is not a promise for one month.

Contract-specific employee contributions and personal arrangements are outside this simplified annual calculation.

Calculate your salary →
04

Private car used for business

12,000 business kilometres

In 2026, €0.25 per business kilometre with private transport may be recorded as an expense when records support the route and purpose.

Business kilometres
12,000 km
Rate
€0.25 / km
Expense deduction
€3,000
Illustrative effect at 37.56%
€1,127

The deduction is not a refund

The €3,000 lowers profit; the Tax Administration does not pay that amount. The actual benefit is the tax effect of lower taxable profit.

The rate covers fuel, insurance, servicing, tolls and parking, among other items; do not deduct them twice.

Calculate mileage deduction →
05

VAT 21%

Extract VAT from €1,210 gross

When gross is known, do not simply subtract 21%. Divide by 1.21 first and then calculate the difference.

Gross
€1,210
Net: 1,210 / 1.21
€1,000
VAT
€210

Why subtracting 21% is wrong

€210 is 21% of €1,000 net but only about 17.36% of €1,210 gross. The same distinction applies at 9%.

This arithmetic does not determine the correct legal rate. Zero rate, exemption and reverse charge are different treatments.

Calculate a VAT amount →

Calculation check

Official sources used in the examples

Rates were checked again on 5 September 2026. The links go directly to the relevant official publications.

Check the assumptions

An important decision needs more than one result

Calculate cautious, realistic and favourable cases. Change hours, costs, revenue or mileage, then compare the result with your records and the official source before filing.