I can't pay my Dutch tax bill: what to do?
What happens if you cannot pay your tax bill on time? You might end up paying more than you were originally due, or worse. To avoid this, you should notify the Tax and Customs Administration. You might get a delay of payment, a tax payment plan or a (partial) remission. These arrangements are subject to conditions.
Request a delay of payment
You can use the Tax Information Line to request a payment delay for a maximum of 4 months. You have to meet certain requirements:- the total amount due does not exceed 20,000 euros
- you have not received a final demand and notice regarding your tax debt
- you have always filed your returns on time
- you have not been granted a delay for this or any other assessments on account of payment problems or an expected tax refund.
Request a tax payment plan
If you are not eligible for the abovementioned delayed payment, you might still apply for a delay for entrepreneurs. You will have to prove that you will be able to pay the entire tax amount due, for instance by providing:- a loan guarantee from a bank
- a personal liability statement
- a mortgage.
Offset VAT refund with payroll tax
If you have to pay payroll tax, and are due to receive a VAT refund during the same period, you can ask the Tax and Customs Administration to offset your payroll tax with the VAT refund. You can use the form Verzoek Loonheffingen Verrekening met teruggaaf btw (in Dutch) for this. If you are eligible for the offset, you will receive an automatic delay of payment for the payroll tax.Delayed payment due to special circumstances
If you are temporarily unable to pay due to special circumstances, you may obtain a delay of payment for over 12 months, without having to guarantee your ability to pay the full amount. You have to meet these requirements:- An independent expert testifies on your behalf that your company is financially viable. This expert (f.i. an accountant, consultant or branch organisation) further declares that:
- your business is experiencing payment problems
- these payment problems are of a temporary nature
- the payment problems will be resolved before a certain date.
- bankruptcy of 1 of your major clients
- you are seriously ill
- your business has been afflicted by an animal disease that requires preventive culling on a large scale.