Should a Dutch ZZP use a car privately or through the business?

Compare €0.25 per business kilometre with actual costs and a possible taxable benefit.

Private car: fixed mileage deduction

In 2026, €0.25 per business kilometre may be deducted from profit. For income tax this covers fuel, maintenance, insurance and depreciation.

Business car: actual costs

Actual costs may be deductible, but private use can create a taxable benefit. List price, emissions, age and private mileage matter.

  • compare annual actual costs
  • estimate taxable benefit
  • consider VAT separately
  • keep consistent mileage records

The classification can persist

Asset-classification rules may limit choice where use is mostly private or business. Model both options before buying or transferring the car.

Compare the full ownership period

A one-year result can mislead when there is a large deposit or rapid depreciation. Model purchase, expected resale, finance, servicing and private and business mileage over the same period.

Add possible taxable benefit and administration in the business case. In the private case, deduct €0.25 per business kilometre without adding covered costs again.

  • same period
  • same mileage
  • expected resale value
  • income tax and VAT separately

The 500 private-kilometre threshold

Private use of a business car may create a taxable benefit. Anyone relying on no taxable addition because annual private travel is at most 500 kilometres must prove that with a complete record.

Begin recording on day one and classify combined trips consistently. Reconstructing every route later is difficult and weakens the evidence.

Official sources

Rules were checked in Dutch Tax Administration publications. The official pages are in Dutch.