Study finds many Dutch start-ups, new entrepreneurs struggle with taxes and bookkeeping

Start-up entrepreneurs in the Netherlands often run into immediate problems with administration and tax filing, according to a Chamber of Commerce (KVK) survey of nearly 800 business owners. The difficulties in understanding bookkeeping rules and tax obligations are frequently more complex than expected, leading to uncertainty, financial stress, and, in some cases, serious personal concern.

The KVK study highlights that a lack of basic financial knowledge at the start of a business can quickly create instability. Entrepreneurs reported confusion over tax assessments, mistakes in bookkeeping, unclear pricing structures, and uncertainty about whether revenue would be sufficient.

Some respondents described severe stress linked to financial insecurity. One entrepreneur expressed, "I often found myself struggling to stay afloat." Another respondent reflected on financial missteps, saying, “I left a lot of money on the table due to too little emphasis on figures and accounts receivable management.”

The survey also shows how many entrepreneurs learn through experience rather than preparation. Nearly half (44 percent) said they received key start-up information from other entrepreneurs, family, or friends. Four in 10 relied on information from KVK, including online explanations and start-up guidance. An equally large group said they figured things out while already running their business.

This trial-and-error approach was especially common among small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), with nearly half saying they simply started and gradually discovered what needed to be arranged. One entrepreneur described the process as, “It was a matter of learning through trial and error. I did not always feel I had things fully under control.”

Different types of entrepreneurs also reported different information needs at the start. Self-employed workers (zzp’ers) more often said they needed practical guidance on taxes (67 versus 60 percent for SMEs), insurance (47 versus 39 percent), and acquiring and retaining customers (47 versus 39 percent).

SMEs, meanwhile, more frequently wanted clarity on regulatory requirements and government support schemes. They more often said they needed earlier information on laws and regulations (20 versus 14 percent) and subsidies and programs (17 versus 10 percent). One SME respondent said, “I did not always properly understand what was legally allowed and what was not.”

KVK entrepreneurs’ adviser Christiaan Hazelaar said, “We see that many entrepreneurs start with strong ideas but stumble over the basics. If you are already struggling with administration and taxes at the start, it quickly creates unrest and financial stress. Some entrepreneurs are already facing difficult choices within a few months, simply because they did not know what was expected of them." He added, “Start-ups often learn by doing. But without basic knowledge, that quickly leads to uncertainty and preventable mistakes.”