Step Six: The application of the relevant tax numbers

The final step of starting a business in the Netherlands is the application of the relevant tax numbers. Bolder Launch can guide you through this process and assist you with applying for the necessary tax numbers for your company in the Netherlands.

The newly-incorporated business needs to be registered for its Corporate Income Taxes (CIT), as well as the Value Added Tax (VAT). 

On average, it takes approximately 2-3 weeks to obtain a resident VAT number, sometimes it just takes 1 week (in combination with the CIT number). 

The issuance of the resident VAT number can also depend on the corporate structure; in practice, there is more difficulty for companies managed by non-resident directors to obtain the resident VAT Number (unless the company is visibly performing tax liable transactions in the Netherlands, such as importing goods).

The tax authorities might ask questions about the type of activities and how/where they are performed. Bolder Launch can assist with the questionnaire and make sure you receive the resident VAT number on time.

Although you don’t need a local director to obtain a VAT number or even a bank account, the local tax office in the Netherlands might request your company to prove its economic relationship with the Netherlands. For example, relation to any locally-appointed staff members, a local warehouse, or an overview of local suppliers/buyers that your business deals with.  

This guide is part of Company Formation in our Launch Guide.