Equipment over €450

Why it's different

Most costs lower your profit in the year you pay them. Something that lasts for years, such as a laptop, a camera or a desk, is different: if it costs €450 or more without VAT, the Belastingdienst wants you to spread the cost over the years you use it. This is called depreciation (afschrijven). Each year, part of the price counts as a cost.

The VAT you get back as usual, all at once, on the VAT return of the quarter you bought it.

Add it

When you enter a receipt of €450 or more, Netto shows a note with Book as asset. Press it, or go to Assets and press Add asset. Then fill in:

• Name, for example "MacBook Pro",
• Purchase date,
• Cost (incl. VAT): Netto works out the price without VAT and the VAT you get back,
• Useful life (years): how many years you expect to use it. At least 5 years.
• Residual value (optional): what it will still be worth at the end. You can leave it at zero.

Netto spreads the cost evenly over those years, by month. The month you bought it counts in full.

Investment deduction (KIA)

If you buy more than €2,900 worth of business things in a year, you can get an extra income tax deduction: the small-scale investment deduction (kleinschaligheidsinvesteringsaftrek, KIA). Netto works it out in your Income tax estimate. Tick Not eligible for KIA for things that don't count, such as a passenger car.

Once a year: book the depreciation

At the end of the year, go to Assets and press Book depreciation. Netto books that year's part of every asset as a cost, dated 31 December. The page reminds you when there is depreciation still to book.

Sold it, or it broke?

Open the asset and press Dispose. What it was still worth in your books is written off as a cost.

Netto doesn't yet book the money you get when you sell an asset. Ask your accountant how to handle a sale.