Can I pay myself a salary from my eenmanszaak?
- 22 September 2026
- Edited 13 October 2026
- 2 min
- Finance
- Starting
- Vick ten Wolde
No, you cannot pay yourself a salary from your eenmanszaak. This is because you are not an employee of your own business. Instead, you withdraw money from your business via a private withdrawal. How much money you transfer to yourself depends on your business’s financial situation. Read the article for an explanation of how this works.
What do you need to arrange when starting a business?
Answer the questions on Business.gov.nl and see the steps that are important in your situation.
How does a private withdrawal work?
Do you run an eenmanszaak (sole proprietorship)? If so, you can withdraw money from your business for personal use. This is known as a private withdrawal (privéonttrekking). To do this, you transfer money from your business account to your personal account. You can only make a private withdrawal using money that is available within your business.
You decide for yourself when to make a private withdrawal. Some business owners transfer a fixed amount every month. Others only withdraw money when necessary.
Record private withdrawals in your accounts
It is important that you record private withdrawals accurately in your administration. This helps you keep track of things. It also means you can provide better supporting evidence for your tax return.
How much money can you withdraw from your eenmanszaak?
There is no maximum amount for a private withdrawal. As the owner of an eenmanszaak, you decide how much money to transfer to yourself. It is good to look at the financial health of your business when doing so. Think about the following points:
- Expected profit: How much turnover do you expect to generate this year? Subtract your business expenses from this. What remains is your profit. Your profit is important for determining how much money you can withdraw from your business.
- Taxes: You pay income tax on the profit from your eenmanszaak. Set aside money for income tax. Are you registered for (in Dutch)? If so, make sure you also set aside enough money for your VAT return.
- Business expenses:Your business also needs money, for example for investments, stock, software, and insurance. It is also sensible to have a financial buffer for unexpected expenses.
- Personal expenses: Keep track of your monthly personal expenses so that you know how much money you need for your personal life. Think of your rent or mortgage and other fixed costs, such as insurance, groceries, pension contributions, and taxes.
Do you pay tax on a private withdrawal?
No, you do not pay tax on the withdrawal itself, but you cannot deduct the amount from your profit. This is because a private withdrawal does not count as a business . You pay income tax on your profit, even if you make a private withdrawal. So you should set aside enough money to cover your tax bill.
Example: you make a profit of €50,000 in a year. Whether you make a private withdrawal of €10,000 or €35,000, you will still pay income tax on the €50,000 profit.
Draw up a personal and a business budget
Drawing up personal and business budgets will help you to determine how much money you can take out of your eenmanszaak.
- Personal budget: this is where you list all your personal income and expenditure. This shows you how much money you need each month for your fixed costs and other expenses.
- Business budget: this lists all your business’s income and costs. It shows how much money remains available to keep your business running, to invest, and for future plans.
Compare the 2 budgets. They should provide a realistic picture of the situation and fit together well. This will help you determine how much money you can transfer to yourself each month.
Tips for a good balance between personal and business finances
These tips will help you maintain a healthy balance between personal withdrawals and your business’s financial needs:
- Do not put all your profits into your personal account. This will help you avoid financial problems if unexpected costs arise or if you must pay tax later.
- Build up a financial buffer. This means you will have enough money available if your income temporarily drops or if you have unexpected expenses.
- Check your income and expenditure regularly and change the amount you withdraw if necessary.
- Set aside money for tax in good time.
- Think carefully about future investments and growth plans.
Are you unsure about your financial situation? If so, discuss this with an accountant or bookkeeper.
Do you have a BV or a VOF?
Do you have a private limited company (BV) and are you a director and major shareholder (DGA)? If so, you must pay yourself a salary. Do you have a general partnership (VOF)? In that case, you do not receive a salary, but you do receive a share of the VOF’s profits.
