Filing your VAT return online on Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk
A step-by-step walkthrough: logging in with DigiD, finding your VAT return, entering the numbers, and submitting on Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk.
Your VAT return lives online on Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk — the Dutch tax authority's business portal. The interface is not glamorous, but it's straightforward once you know where to click. This guide walks you through the entire process: logging in, finding your return, filling in the numbers, and submitting.
Before you start
You'll need:
- A DigiD account (or eHerkenning if your business uses that). DigiD is free and takes 5 minutes to set up at digid.nl.
- Your BTW number (aansluitnummer). The Belastingdienst sent it when you registered, or you can find it on your KVK registration.
- Your quarterly figures: turnover by VAT rate (21%, 9%, 0%) and voorbelasting (input VAT). These should be totalled from your bookkeeping.
Step 1: Log in to Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk
Go to belastingdienst.nl and look for the "Mijn Belastingdienst" link. Click it, then select "Bedrijven" (Businesses). You'll land on the login page.
Click "Inloggen met DigiD" (Log in with DigiD). You'll be redirected to the DigiD portal, where you enter your username or email, then your password, then a one-time code (sent by SMS or app).
Once logged in, you're back at Mijn Belastingdienst. You should see a dashboard with your name and business information.
Bookmark this page
The login process is a redirect. Bookmark the direct Mijn Belastingdienst page (mijnbelastingdienst.belastingdienst.nl) so you don't hunt for the link each time.
Step 2: Find your VAT return
On the Mijn Belastingdienst dashboard, look for a section called "Aangiften" (Declarations) or "Belastingzaken" (Tax matters). Click it.
You should see a list of filings you owe or have already filed. Find the one labeled "Aangifte omzetbelasting" or "VAT return" for the current quarter.
If you don't see it, the return may not be "open" yet. Quarterly returns typically open on the 5th of the month after the quarter ends. Q1 returns open around 5 April, Q2 around 5 July, etc.
The return must be open to file
If the deadline is 30 April and the return opened on 5 April, you have 25 days to file. You cannot file before the return opens, and the system won't let you even if you try.
Step 3: Open the return and review the form
Click on the VAT return to open it. You'll see a form with multiple sections (called rubrieken, or "boxes").
The form is pre-filled with some data: your name, business address, BTW number, and the quarter/year. Do not change this. These are locked fields.
Below are the revenue and VAT boxes. They're usually organized like this:
| Rubriek (Box) | What goes here |
|---|---|
| 1a–1e | Turnover (revenue) by VAT rate: domestic, intra-EU, reverse charge, etc. |
| 2 | Turnover at 0% (export) |
| 3 | Corrections to prior quarters (if you filed a correction) |
| 4 | VAT you charged (calculated automatically from boxes 1–3) |
| 5b | Voorbelasting (input VAT you paid on business costs) |
| 5c | Net VAT due (calculated: box 4 minus 5b) |
Most of the time, you only touch boxes 1–3 (your revenue) and 5b (your voorbelasting). The rest calculate automatically.
Step 4: Enter your turnover
In boxes 1a–1e, enter the revenue (before VAT) for each rate:
- 1a: Turnover at 21% (domestic standard rate)
- 1b: Turnover at 9% (reduced rate, if applicable)
- 1c: Reverse-charged turnover (0% B2B services to EU; leave blank if not applicable)
- 1d–1e: Other specialized categories (leave blank unless you have intra-EU goods or export)
Important: Enter the amount before VAT, not the total with VAT.
Example: You invoiced €5,000 at 21% VAT. Enter €5,000 in box 1a, not €6,050.
The system will calculate the VAT automatically:
- €5,000 × 21% = €1,050 VAT
- This goes into box 4 (total VAT charged)
- Pull your quarterly turnover figures from your bookkeeping
- Separate by VAT rate (21%, 9%, 0%)
- Enter each amount in the correct box (1a, 1b, 1c, etc.)
- Enter amounts BEFORE VAT, not including VAT
- Check that the system calculates box 4 (total VAT) correctly
Step 5: Enter your voorbelasting (input VAT)
In box 5b, enter the total voorbelasting (input VAT) you paid on business costs during the quarter.
This is the sum of all deductible VAT invoices from your suppliers: software subscriptions, equipment, contractor invoices, office rent, professional services, etc.
Example: Your Q2 business expenses included:
- Laptop: €210 VAT
- Software: €50 VAT
- Contractor invoice: €180 VAT
- Co-working: €105 VAT
- Total voorbelasting: €545
Enter €545 in box 5b.
The system will calculate box 5c (net VAT):
- VAT charged (box 4): €1,050
- Voorbelasting (box 5b): €545
- Net (box 5c): €1,050 − €545 = €505 due
If voorbelasting exceeds charged VAT, the net is negative — you get a refund.
Let ZZP Belasting do the maths
Automatic BTW returns, income-tax forecasts and depreciation — from the invoices you already have.
Try it freeStep 6: Review and submit
Before you click submit:
- Check the numbers. Are the turnover figures correct? Is the voorbelasting total accurate?
- Verify the calculation. Does the net (box 5c) match your expectation?
- Check the deadline. Is today before the deadline?
Once you're confident, click "Indienen" (Submit). The system will ask for confirmation. Click again to confirm.
You'll see a confirmation page with a submission number. Screenshot this or note the number — it's your proof the return was filed.
You can save as draft first
If you're not ready to submit, you can usually click "Opslaan" (Save) to store a draft. Come back later to review and submit before the deadline.
Step 7: Pay the amount due
Submitting the return and paying are separate steps. After you file, the Belastingdienst tells you how much you owe (or if you're getting a refund).
Payment options:
- Automatic debit: If you've set up automatische incasso, the amount is automatically withdrawn from your bank account by the deadline. This is the safest option.
- Manual bank transfer: The system gives you a reference number. Transfer the amount to the Belastingdienst's bank account with that reference. The payment must clear by the deadline.
- iDEAL (online banking): Some browsers allow you to pay directly via iDEAL from within Mijn Belastingdienst. Click the payment link if it appears.
Critical: Payment must clear by the deadline. If the deadline is 30 April and you transfer on 29 April, ensure it clears on the 30th. Bank transfers can take 1–2 days, so plan ahead.
Common mistakes
- Entering revenue with VAT included. The form asks for revenue before VAT. If you enter €6,050 (€5,000 + 21% VAT), the system calculates VAT on €6,050, which is wrong.
- Forgetting voorbelasting. Omitting box 5b means you pay VAT on the full €1,050, not the €505 net. Always include deductible business costs.
- Missing the deadline. The deadline is strictly enforced. File early.
- Forgetting to pay. Filing without paying counts as late. Payment is a separate action — don't skip it.
If you need to change something later
If you file and then realize you made a mistake:
- Small errors: Roll them into your next quarterly return with a note.
- Larger errors: File a formal correction called a suppletie. See how to correct a VAT return mistake for details.
Frequently asked questions
Does the system save my draft automatically?
Can I file on behalf of my spouse or accountant?
What if I make a mistake and can't re-file?
Is there a penalty if I file but don't pay on time?
How do I know if my payment arrived?
Filing your VAT return online is a straightforward process once you've gathered your numbers. The Mijn Belastingdienst system walks you through it, and the math is automatic. The hard part is having clean bookkeeping — once you do, filing takes 15 minutes. ZZP Belasting keeps your bookkeeping accurate and ready, so when the return opens, you're prepared to submit in minutes.