Late with your VAT return? That gets expensive! A penalty from at least €50 to maximum €5,514 happens quickly. In this article you'll find ALL VAT deadlines for 2025, plus smart tips to never miss a deadline again. Bookmark this page!
🗓️ VAT Deadlines 2025 - For Starters (Quarterly Returns)
| Quarter | Period | Return + Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 2025 | January - March | April 30, 2025 |
| Q2 2025 | April - June | July 31, 2025 |
| Q3 2025 | July - September | October 31, 2025 |
| Q4 2025 | October - December | January 31, 2026 |
Source: Dutch Tax Administration Return and Payment Terms
Planning for 2026? View VAT deadlines for 2026 (including important changes!)
Quarterly or Monthly? This Determines It
As a starter you automatically get quarterly returns. This is the easiest: 4x per year instead of 12x.
✓ Quarterly returns (4x per year)
- • You are a starting entrepreneur
- • Your VAT payment is less than €15,000 per quarter
- • You get this automatically
"As a starter I automatically got quarterly returns. Great, 4x per year is enough hassle!" - Sophie, graphic designer
Monthly returns (12x per year)
- • VAT payment more than €15,000 per quarter
- • You trade in certain goods (phones, computers)
- • You have requested this yourself
"Since my revenue grew, I have to file monthly. More work, but also better cashflow control." - Mark, e-commerce entrepreneur
Not sure how to file your VAT return? Read our complete VAT return step-by-step guide for beginners.
The 3 Most Important Rules (Read This!)
1. "By" really means BY
Return must be submitted AND money must be credited. 23:59 is too late!
2. Transfer ≠ Credit
Banks need 1-2 business days. So pay at least 3 days before the deadline.
3. Weekend = Postponed to Friday
But don't wait for this - systems can crash on busy days.
Late? These Are The Costs
| Late | Penalty |
|---|---|
| 1-7 days | €50 |
| 8-14 days | €125 |
| 15-28 days | €250 |
| > 28 days | 3% of VAT amount (max €5,514) |
Here is what can happen in practice when you forget your filing deadline.
Even if you cannot pay the full amount, there is always a way forward.
How To Set Reminders? (Choose At Least 2!)
📱 VAT Alert App (Free!)
Official app from the Dutch Tax Administration. Download via App Store or Google Play.
"Simple but effective. Now get a notification 1 week in advance. Never late again!" - Jasper
📅 Your Own Calendar
Google Calendar, iPhone calendar, etc. Put all 4 deadlines in with 2 reminders: 1 week and 3 days before.
Tip: "Hey Siri, remind me on April 23 about VAT return"
📧 Email from Tax Administration
Via My Tax Administration you can turn on email notifications. Then you automatically get notified.
💡 Pro Tip: Complete Administration App
Instead of remembering all dates yourself, you can also use a ZZP administration app that automatically alerts you to every VAT deadline.
What Works Well? Tips from Other Freelancers
The 10-20-30 Rule
"Day 10: update administration, Day 20: calculate VAT, Day 30: Deadline (but I'm already done!)" - Jeroen, 10 years freelancer
The Fixed VAT Day
"Every first Monday of the deadline month. Blocked in calendar. Sacred. No appointments." - Fatima, online coach
Triple Check
"VAT Alert app + Google Calendar + Post-it on screen. Overkill? Yes. Late? Never!" - Robin, developer
Stress-Free
"Return on the 15th, payment on the 20th. Always. No stress, no hassle, no penalties." - Oscar, consultant
Special Situations
There are a few situations that require extra attention.
Planning a vacation? Make sure your deadlines are covered.
Mistakes happen, but you can correct them quickly.
📅 Monthly Return Deadlines 2025
For freelancers who must file monthly returns:
| Month | Return + Payment |
|---|---|
| January | February 28 |
| February | March 31 |
| March | April 30 |
| April | May 31 |
| May | June 30 |
| June | July 31 |
| July | August 31 |
| August | September 30 |
| September | October 31 |
| October | November 30 |
| November | December 31 |
| December | January 31, 2026 |
Complete Year Calendar 2025
Below you'll find all VAT deadlines at a glance. For a broader overview including income tax and other obligations, see our full tax calendar 2025.
Q1 2025
- Jan 31: VAT Q4 2024
- Feb 28: VAT January
- Mar 31: VAT February
- Mar 31: Annual return 2024
- Apr 30: VAT Q1 2025
- Apr 30: VAT March
Q2 2025
- May 31: VAT April
- Jun 30: VAT May
- Jul 31: VAT Q2 2025
- Jul 31: VAT June
Q3 2025
- Aug 31: VAT July
- Sep 30: VAT August
- Oct 31: VAT Q3 2025
- Oct 31: VAT September
Q4 2025
- Nov 30: VAT October
- Dec 31: VAT November
- Jan 31, 2026: VAT Q4 2025
- Jan 31, 2026: VAT December
Late? This Is What You Do Now
Your Action Plan for 2025
Do this now:
- 1. Download VAT Alert app (free)
- 2. Put deadlines in your calendar: April 30, July 31, October 31, January 31, 2026
- 3. Set 2 reminders: 1 week and 3 days before each deadline
- 4. Choose a fixed VAT day: e.g. first Monday of deadline month
- 5. Test your system with the next upcoming deadline
And remember: you are not the first freelancer to struggle with deadlines.
📌 Bookmark this page!
Sources: Belastingdienst.nl, KVK.nl, experiences from 50+ entrepreneurs