Getting started: a checklist

1. Money

Hourly rate

• What is a good price for your services? Determine your hourly rate.

Quotations and invoices

• Read how to make a good offer.
• And what your invoice should look like.

Income

• Read how you, as an entrepreneur, can manage your money wisely (in Dutch).
• Check whether you can earn enough money with your business idea. Or take the KVK Verdien Check (a Dutch-language tool).

Financing

• Do you need extra money? See which form of financing suits your needs.
• Also, look into borrowing money from family and friends and a financing mix.
• Questions about financing? Call a KVK adviser.

2. Setting up your administration

• Set up your administration.
• Make sure you keep track of your hours.
• Keeping your private and business expenses separate? A business account can help.

3. Taxes

General Taxes

• As a starter, find out which taxes you will have to deal with.
• Have you incurred any business expenses yet? If so, you may be able to deduct them from your income tax.
• You pay income tax every year. Find out what income tax is and how you can prepare for it.
• Will you meet the hours criterion for self-employed professionals of 1,225 hours?
• Most entrepreneurs submit quarterly VAT returns. Even if you have no turnover yet, you must file a tax return.
• Entrepreneurs often use a VAT ID number. You use this, for example, when contacting customers and suppliers.
• Do you still have questions about taxes? Then talk to the Netherlands Tax Administration, or watch the webinar Taxes for entrepreneurs in the Netherlands.

Small business scheme (KOR)

• Some entrepreneurs are exempt from value-added tax, VAT (BTW). Check whether the small businesses scheme (KOR) is of interest to you.

Tax benefits

• As a starter, you are often entitled to tax benefits. Which deductions can you make use of?

4. Know the laws and regulations

SBI code

• Regularly check whether your SBI code is still correct. An accurate SBI code prevents issues with matters such as permits, loans, pension, or insurance.

False self-employment

• Ensure that you avoid false self-employment (schijnzelfstandigheid).

International

• Are you also going international? Read how to start importing and exporting.

Sustainability

• You need to make your business sustainable.

Laws and regulations for your situation

• Laws and regulations may vary depending on the sector. So, carefully check which laws and regulations you must comply with.

5. Limit business risks

Risks

• Read about the business risks you may encounter and how to protect yourself against them.

Insurance

• Take a look at important insurance policies for starters.
• What options do you have if you become unfit for work? Disability insurance (AOV) helps you avoid problems.
• Do the KVK Insurance Check to find out which insurance policies you need.

Pension

• As an employee you usually build up a pension. As an entrepreneur, you must arrange your own pension.

General terms and conditions

• Avoid uncertainty by drawing up general terms and conditions. This means you and your customers know exactly what to expect.

Fraud

• Entrepreneurs are regularly targeted by scammers. Make sure you limit unwanted approaches

6. Find customers, keep customers

Acquisition

• For a business, you need customers. Work on acquisition and finding new customers. 
• Also check what your market area looks like and what your competitors are doing.

Networking

• Networking helps you get in touch with more people who can help you and your business move forward. A convincing pitch can help you.

Online marketing and social media

• A professional business website contributes to the right image for your company. Make sure your website is easy to find.
• Find customers through social media.

7. More information

Are you looking for more information? Read everything about starting a business and assess your own situation. Or register for the KVK Starters Programme. In this email series, you will receive up to fifteen emails over a period of 100 days on topics such as taxes, finding customers and your administration.