The costs beginners forget
Many Bol.com sellers calculate their margin based on purchase price, selling price and commission — and forget the tax authority. That's an expensive oversight. VAT and income tax determine what you actually keep.
This article explains the tax basics in plain language. Note: this is general information, not tax advice. For your specific situation, consult an accountant or the tax authority.
1. VAT: the basics
VAT (Value Added Tax, "BTW" in Dutch) is a tax you charge on your sales and remit to the tax authority. In the Netherlands two main rates apply:
| Rate | When | Examples | |------|------|----------| | 21% (high) | Standard for most products | Electronics, household items, toys | | 9% (low) | Specific categories | Books, certain foods |
Most Bol.com products fall under 21%.
How it works in practice
- You sell a product for €24.95 including VAT
- Of that, €24.95 / 1.21 = €20.62 is your revenue, and €4.33 is VAT
- You remit that €4.33 to the tax authority (after deducting input VAT, see below)
Input VAT: reclaiming VAT
The VAT you pay on purchases (inventory, packaging materials, software) can be reclaimed. So you only remit the difference:
VAT to remit = VAT on sales – VAT on purchases
This is why good bookkeeping isn't a luxury but pure profit: every euro of input VAT you don't reclaim is lost money.
2. The small business scheme (KOR)
If your turnover stays below €20,000 per year, you can opt for the small business scheme (KOR in Dutch).
What does it involve?
- You charge no VAT to your customers
- You remit no VAT
- But you also cannot reclaim input VAT
Is the scheme smart for you?
| Situation | Scheme advisable? | |-----------|-------------------| | Low purchase costs, selling to consumers | Often yes | | High investment/purchasing with lots of input VAT | Often no | | Rapid growth expected toward €20,000+ | No, you'll have to leave it again |
The scheme is attractive if you buy little and sell mainly to consumers. If you purchase a lot with high VAT, you leave money on the table because you can't reclaim that input VAT.
Important: If you exceed the €20,000 threshold, the scheme ends immediately and you become VAT-liable. So keep a close eye on your turnover.
3. Income tax: tax on your profit
Besides VAT, you pay income tax on your profit (revenue minus all costs). This goes through your income tax return.
Entrepreneur or not?
The tax authority assesses whether you have a real business. If you do (hours criterion, multiple clients, profit motive), you can benefit from deductions such as:
- Self-employed deduction
- Starter's deduction (early years)
- SME profit exemption
These items significantly lower your taxable profit. An accountant often pays for themselves here.
Reserve for the assessment
The biggest trap: spending all your revenue and facing a hefty assessment at the annual return. Reserve a standard 25–35% of your profit in a separate account for tax.
4. How Bol.com handles payouts
Bol.com pays out the sale amount including VAT and deducts the commission. The VAT remittance remains your responsibility.
| Item | Amount | |------|--------| | Selling price (incl. 21% VAT) | €24.95 | | Commission (deducted by Bol.com) | –€2.99 | | Paid out to you | €21.96 | | Of which VAT to remit (on sale) | €4.33 |
The €4.33 is in your payout, but it's not yours — it's money you pass on to the tax authority. Never count it as margin.
5. Selling internationally: Belgium and the EU
Do you also sell to Belgian customers via Bol.com? Then the EU VAT scheme comes into play.
- Below a threshold of €10,000 in EU sales (outside NL), you simply charge Dutch VAT
- Above that threshold, you must in principle remit the VAT of the customer's country, via the One Stop Shop (OSS) scheme
The OSS scheme lets you handle all EU VAT through a single Dutch return, so you don't have to register in each country separately. If you sell seriously across the border, discuss this with your accountant.
6. Bookkeeping: your foundation
Good bookkeeping isn't optional. Keep at minimum:
- All purchase and sales invoices
- Your Bol.com settlements (downloadable in the seller account)
- Receipts for business expenses (packaging, software, shipping)
The legal retention period is 7 years.
Accounting software
Not mandatory, but strongly recommended. Many accounting packages link directly to your Bol.com sales data, so revenue and VAT are processed automatically. This prevents errors and saves hours.
Checklist: tax in order
- [ ] Determined whether you're VAT-liable or using the small business scheme
- [ ] Correct VAT rate (21% or 9%) established per product
- [ ] Input VAT on purchases is being reclaimed (if VAT-liable)
- [ ] 25–35% of your profit reserved for income tax
- [ ] Deductions (self-employed/starter's) checked
- [ ] For EU sales: threshold and OSS scheme assessed
- [ ] Bookkeeping and Bol.com settlements retained (7 years)
- [ ] Accountant consulted for your situation
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to remit VAT on my Bol.com sales? Yes, unless you use the small business scheme (KOR) with turnover below €20,000 per year. Otherwise you remit 21% (or 9%) VAT, minus your input VAT.
How much tax do you pay as a Bol.com seller? Besides VAT, you pay income tax on your profit. Reserve a standard 25 to 35% of your profit for the assessment, and use deductions such as the self-employed and starter's deductions.
Is the small business scheme (KOR) advisable? The scheme is attractive with low purchase costs and selling to consumers. If you buy a lot with high VAT, you leave money on the table because you can't reclaim input VAT.
Conclusion
VAT and tax are not a side issue — they determine your real profit. Sellers who calculate their margin without the tax authority will run into trouble sooner or later. Always calculate with your net margin after tax, reserve consistently, and keep your bookkeeping from day one.
With your numbers in order, you want every sale to count. A strong listing increases your revenue — and therefore your profit. Check your Listing Health Score for free →