When you start a business, you often have to spend money on stuff or training that you need to start your business. This is a leap of faith because you already spend money before you even sent out your first invoice. But, as the well-known proverb goes, ‘the cost outweighs the benefit’. Business investments pay for themselves in the long run. For example, you may need a good laptop, a new desk, or a machine to manufacture something. These operating costs affect your income tax. You can usually (partially) deduct them from your profits and this can ensure that you have to pay less tax. By planning this well, you can make optimal use of the tax rules and benefits. By the way, visit this page for some information

Ordinary costs and investments

When you spend money on your business as a freelancer, a distinction is made between ‘normal’ operating costs and investments. For example, printing paper, a box of pens, or a conversation with a coach or advisor are not seen as an investment, but a laptop or sewing machine is. Here you can see exactly what the tax authorities consider to be ‘normal’ business expenses. The difference between ordinary costs and investments lies in the value, nature, and lifespan of what you purchase. In this article, we will focus specifically on investments.

What exactly is an investment?

According to the tax authorities, investments are all purchases of goods or products that have a value of €450 (excluding VAT) [i] or more. In addition, there is an investment if your purchase lasts for several years and the purchase must directly contribute to the turnover of your company. We refer to all purchases that meet these criteria as “assets.”

Investing in your business

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Investment Plan for your company

As an entrepreneur, it is smart to make an investment plan. The investment plan provides an overview of what you need to get your business off the ground and what it will cost. In this plan, you can also estimate how long you expect the investments to last. It is not only nice for yourself to have everything in order, but it also offers you insight into which you can make optimal use of all tax schemes.

Investment deductions

Investing is good for the economy and is therefore stimulated by the government. Still, novice entrepreneurs are often reluctant to spend large amounts of money before money has come in. That makes sense because the step to start for yourself is exciting enough in itself. To encourage entrepreneurs to invest, the government has therefore created various incentives. Think of a discount on your income tax or corporate tax.

Small-scale

investment deduction (KIA) If you invest more than €2,300 in business assets as a freelancer, you may be entitled to the KIA (small-scale investment deduction). The amount by which your profit is reduced depends on the size of the investment. Please note, not all purchases you make for your company are eligible for the KIA. Examples of business assets that do qualify for this deduction are a laptop or tablet, a mobile phone, and office furniture.

Environmentally friendly assets

invest in environmentally friendly assets? Then you may qualify for the MIA (environmental investment deduction) or the Vail (arbitrary depreciation of environmental investments). Here too, the investment amount must be at least €2,300, and the investment must be eligible for investment deduction. An additional condition is that the asset must be on the environmental list. In addition, you must register the investment in advance.

Energy Investment Allowance (EIA)

The business asset must then be eligible for the investment deduction and must be on the energy list of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. You can submit an annual proposal for new business assets.

Depreciation of investments

The ‘normal’ costs that you incur for your company can be deducted from your profit in the year of purchase. This is not allowed with investments. You have to deduct the costs over several years. We call this ‘depreciation’. You then reserve a part of the profit every year for the moment that the business asset has to be replaced.

Do investments affect VAT?

Investments do not affect VAT. After all, you can set off and reclaim the VAT if you have provided services that are taxed with VAT. When you make an investment, you do not have to take VAT into account.

Investing is lucrative

Investing in company assets can provide tax benefits. These resources must then meet all kinds of criteria set by the government. It is therefore important that you have a clear investment plan in advance and that you are aware of the options you have. We hope this article has at least helped you a little further. If you have any questions or need help drawing up an investment plan, we can of course help you with this.