New tool to help next of kin of deceased business owner
- 2 February 2026
- 1 min
- Press articles
When a business owner dies, their next of kin have to deal with a lot of administrative work to do with the business they leave behind, on top of their grief. A new digital tool can support them in this process. The online tool provides a quick and clear overview of which authorities they can contact and which matters are a priority or can wait. It is available at Business.gov.nl.
The is a collaborative effort of Ondernemersplein/Business.gov.nl, the Netherlands Tax Administration, KVK, and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency RVO. The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) commissioned the development.
Tool provides an overview
The death of an entrepreneur often brings with it not only a great deal of emotion but also complex decisions: should the business continue or be wound up; which administrative obligations need to be dealt with immediately and which can wait? The tool offers bereaved relatives an overview of the most important matters that need to be sorted out, along with information on priorities: what needs to be done straight away and what can wait. It also provides links to the relevant authorities and practical tips.
Support in difficult times
The guidance provides bereaved families with a framework to follow during a period that is often chaotic and emotionally draining. In addition, they can count on support from, amongst others, the Tax Helpline for bereaved families and the KVK bereavement support team. Of course, making decisions and carrying out administrative tasks remains the responsibility of the bereaved families themselves.
An overwhelming amount of administrative work
Klaas Damstra, coordinator on behalf of KVK: “When an entrepreneur dies, the next of kin are often faced with an overwhelming amount of administrative work on top of their grief. With this administrative support, we aim to offer a little peace of mind and clarity, particularly during that difficult period. Not everything has to be done at once. It is our hope that the bereaved will feel supported and know that they are not on their own, particularly in the first few months following the death.”
Collaboration for entrepreneurs
Ondernemersplein and its English counterpart, Business.gov.nl, are the government’s central platforms for entrepreneurs in the Netherlands. Here, organisations such as the Netherlands Tax Administration, KVK and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) work together to inform and advise entrepreneurs on laws and regulations, licences, tax matters, subsidies, and more. With the introduction of this tool, this service is being expanded to include a resource that supports the bereaved families of entrepreneurs during one of the most life-changing periods of their lives.