Tax
VAT Deadlines 2026: Q1 Apr 30 | Q2 Jul 31 | Q3 Oct 31 | Q4 Jan 31 2027
| Quarter | Period | Filing deadline | Payment deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Jan – Mar 2026 | April 30, 2026 | April 30, 2026 |
| Q2 | Apr – Jun 2026 | July 31, 2026 | July 31, 2026 |
| Q3 | Jul – Sep 2026 | October 31, 2026(Saturday) | October 31, 2026practical: settle by Fri Oct 30 — banks closed weekend |
| Q4 | Oct – Dec 2026 | January 31, 2027(Sunday) | January 31, 2027practical: settle by Fri Jan 29 — banks closed weekend |
Late filing = €82 penalty per return (max €165 for repeat offences). Late payment = 3% of unpaid amount (min €50, max €6,709). 7-day grace period for both. Source: Belastingdienst.
Late with your VAT return? That gets expensive: €82 fine for late filing, plus 3% of the unpaid amount (min €50, max €6,709) for late payment. In this article you'll find ALL VAT deadlines for 2026 — including the weekend caveats for Q3 and Q4 — plus the key 2026 changes and smart tips to never miss a deadline again. Bookmark this page!
As a starting freelancer, it is especially important to understand the basics of your filing obligations. Not sure how VAT works? Start with our 10 most asked VAT questions.
🗓️ VAT Deadlines 2026 - For Starters (Quarterly Returns)
| Quarter | Period | Return + Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | January - March | April 30, 2026 |
| Q2 2026 | April - June | July 31, 2026 |
| Q3 2026 | July - September | October 31, 2026 |
| Q4 2026 | October - December | January 31, 2027 |
Source: Dutch Tax Administration Return and Payment Terms
Looking for 2025 deadlines? View VAT deadlines for 2025
Important Changes 2026: What You Need to Know
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. Use our BTW Calculator 2026 to calculate exact amounts.
3. Weekend = Postponed to Friday
But don't wait for this - systems can crash on busy days.
Late? These Are The Costs (Updated 2026)
From 2026, the penalty system works as follows:
If you miss the grace period, the consequences become more serious.
| Scenario | Penalty |
|---|---|
| First time late (within 7 days) | Warning (grace period) |
| After grace period | 3% of VAT amount (min €50) |
| Maximum penalty 2026 | €6.709 |
| Repeatedly late | Higher penalties + default assessment |
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.
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 2026
For freelancers who must file monthly returns:
| Month | Return + Payment |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | February 28, 2026 |
| February 2026 | March 31, 2026 |
| March 2026 | April 30, 2026 |
| April 2026 | May 31, 2026 |
| May 2026 | June 30, 2026 |
| June 2026 | July 31, 2026 |
| July 2026 | August 31, 2026 |
| August 2026 | September 30, 2026 |
| September 2026 | October 31, 2026 |
| October 2026 | November 30, 2026 |
| November 2026 | December 31, 2026 |
| December 2026 | January 31, 2027 |
Complete Year Calendar 2026
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 2026.
Q1 2026
- Jan 31: VAT Q4 2025
- Feb 28: VAT January
- Mar 31: VAT February
- Mar 31: Annual return 2025
- Apr 30: VAT Q1 2026
- Apr 30: VAT March
Q2 2026
- May 31: VAT April
- Jun 30: VAT May
- Jul 31: VAT Q2 2026
- Jul 31: VAT June
Q3 2026
- Aug 31: VAT July
- Sep 30: VAT August
- Oct 31: VAT Q3 2026
- Oct 31: VAT September
Q4 2026
- Nov 30: VAT October
- Dec 31: VAT November
- Jan 31, 2027: VAT Q4 2026
- Jan 31, 2027: VAT December
Late? This Is What You Do Now
Your Action Plan for 2026
Do this now:
- 1. Download VAT Alert app (free)
- 2. Put deadlines in your calendar: April 30, July 31, October 31, January 31, 2027
- 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. Check accommodation rates: Update to 21% if applicable
- 6. 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, Dutch Tax Legislation 2026, experiences from 50+ entrepreneurs