As a freelancer in the Netherlands, you can deduct business-related hardware and equipment from your taxes, but how you deduct them depends on their price and business use. Â
Immediate Deduction (Under €450 excl. VAT)Â
âś” Items under €450 (excluding VAT)? → You can fully deduct the cost immediately in the year of purchase. Â
âś” Can you reclaim VAT? → Yes, in the quarter of purchase. Â
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Depreciation (Over €450 excl. VAT)Â
âś” Items over €450 (excluding VAT)? → You cannot deduct the full cost in one go. Â
âś” You must spread the deduction over multiple years (standard: 20% per year). Â
âś” Can you reclaim VAT? → Yes, immediately in the quarter of purchase. Â
Extra Tax Benefit: Small-Scale Investment Deduction (KIA)Â Â
Did you invest more than €2,901 in business assets in one year? Â
Then you might qualify for an additional tax deduction under the Small-Scale Investment Deduction (KIA). This can give you up to 28% extra tax deduction on your investments. Â
This only applies to larger investments, like multiple devices or professional equipment.
How to Justify These Expenses? Â
- An invoice in your business name (including VAT number and address). Â
- Proof that the purchase is business-related (if used privately, you can only deduct the business percentage). Â
- For VAT reclaim: Make sure the VAT amount is separately mentioned on the invoice. Â
đź’ˇ Bought it from an online platform like Temu/ Amazon? Ensure a proper VAT invoice. Â
Summary Â
Purchase Price (excl. VAT) | Income Tax Deduction | VAT Deduction? |
Under €450 | Fully deductible in the year of purchase | ✅ Yes, immediately reclaimable |
Over €450 | Must be depreciated (max. 20% per year) | ✅ Yes, immediately reclaimable |
Over €2,901 (total per year) | Additional deduction via KIA possible | ✅ Yes, immediately reclaimable |
Frequently Asked Questions Â
What if I buy a second-hand laptop? Â
You still need to depreciate it over 5 years (maximum 20% per year). Â
What if I use my laptop for both business and personal use? Â
You can only deduct the business percentage. If you use the laptop 50% for business and 50% for personal use, you can only deduct 50% of the cost. Â
Can I deduct accessories like a mouse or cables? Â
Yes! If they cost less than €450, you can deduct them immediately. Â
Important points to remember
- Under €450? Deduct immediately. Â
- Over €450? Depreciate over 5 years. Â
- VAT Always reclaimable immediately, even for depreciated assets. Â
- Large investments? Check if you qualify for the KIA deduction. Â
- Documentation? Keep records.