Put your business on hold? This is what you need to arrange

Are you a ZZP'er planning to undertake a course of study? Have you been offered a permanent contract with a business? Or do you run a BV and are you ill, or planning to go on a round-the-world trip, meaning you are unable to conduct business? If such a situation lasts for more than 6 months, you should deregister your business or organisation with KVK.

Avoid costs and liability

By deregistering your business or organisation from the Business Register, you provide clarity. To customers and suppliers, but also to organisations such as KVK and the Netherlands Tax Administration.

If you remain registered whilst inactive for a long period, and you forget to file a VAT return, for example, you will be fined by the Netherlands Tax Administration. As a business, you are obliged to file returns on time, even if your turnover is €0.

You must also keep business records. BVs, for example, must publish financial statements. You will also have costs for your business bank account, insurance, and other matters. Finally, customers may hold you, the managing directors or your business liable for past actions. So deregister if you wish to avoid these risks, costs, and obligations.

Reregister your business

Are you starting up again after deregistering? If so, you will need to register a new business or organisation.

You will be issued with a new KVK number and VAT number. It is not possible to reuse your old KVK number and VAT number.

No turnover, but still active

Does your business have no turnover at the moment, but you are busy working on it? For example, on customer acquisition, product development, or preparations to get started? Then this is a good reason to remain registered.

But be aware that after a year of zero returns, the Tax Administration may withdraw your VAT number. Before they do this, you will receive a letter from the Tax Administration. If you disagree with the withdrawal of your VAT number, you must prove that no ‘cessation’ (staking) took place and that you have been active in your business all this time. Can you not prove this? Then KVK will be notified by the Tax Administration and we will deregister your business from the Business Register.

Stop for less than 6 months

Do you expect your business or organisation to be inactive for less than 6 months? In that case, you do not need to deregister your business or organisation with KVK.

Do let your contacts and network know that you are temporarily stopping your activities. Your business or organisation will then have no turnover. Continue to submit VAT returns as normal, even if you enter a turnover of €0. And do not forget your bookkeeping.