The current account with your own BV
Written by Ilias Aarrass7 min read · Published on · Last reviewed on 
In short
The current account with your own BV must be at arm's length, with a realistic rate and repayment terms; owe more than € 500,000 on 31 December and the excess is box 2 income.
- Small, temporary traffic both ways is normal; a debt that only grows is the signal inspectors watch for.
- Without real capacity to repay, the tax authorities can treat the withdrawal as disguised dividend.
- Certain home-acquisition debts to your own BV do not count towards the € 500,000 limit.
- If the BV goes bankrupt you must simply repay the current account debt to the administrator.
As director-major shareholder you can borrow money from your own BV, or deposit money into the BV. Those money flows between you and your BV run through the current account. That sounds innocent, but the tax authorities look at it critically. This article explains what to watch for.
What is a current account?
The current account is a running account between you and your BV on which you record mutual debts and claims. If you pay a business cost privately, you're owed money by the BV. If you borrow money from the BV, you have a debt to the BV. So the balance can go either way.
Why do the tax authorities watch this?
The tax authorities want to prevent you from taking untaxed money out of your BV via a loan that's actually dividend or salary. So a loan from your BV must be at arm's length: a realistic interest rate must be charged and clear repayment agreements recorded. If that is missing, the tax authorities can treat the loan as disguised dividend and tax it in box 2. If the BV pays private expenses for you that you do not repay, it is a hidden profit distribution.
What is excessive borrowing?
Since the Excessive Borrowing Act, as director-major shareholder you may not borrow unlimited amounts from your own BV. If you borrow more than 500,000 euros, you pay box 2 tax on the part above that. Home-acquisition debts don't count under conditions. The debt balance on 31 December is the reference moment. The cabinet wants to lower that limit in steps to 100,000 euros from 2027; see Tax Plan 2027.
How do you keep it tidy?
Always record loans between you and your BV in writing with interest and repayment agreements. Keep the current account well-maintained in your records and make sure the balance doesn't rise unnoticed. This prevents discussion with the tax authorities and unexpected tax.
The ground rules and the € 500,000 limit
Small amounts back and forth are normal; that is what the current account is for. It becomes a problem when the debt to your own BV keeps growing without agreements. The tax authorities can then treat the withdrawals as disguised dividend, with box 2 tax and possibly a penalty.
- Record the current account in writing, with an arm's-length interest rate and a repayment arrangement.
- Keep the balance small and repay regularly; a debt that only grows is the signal inspectors watch for.
- Above € 500,000 of debt to your own BV, the excess is taxed by law as box 2 income (home loans excepted).
- Larger structural withdrawals? Choose deliberately: salary, dividend after the distribution test, or a genuine loan with security. See paying dividend.
The limits and what happens
Borrowing from your own company is allowed, but there are hard limits. These are the amounts and what happens if you exceed them.
| Item | Rule | Consequence if breached |
|---|---|---|
| Debt on 31 December | Maximum € 500,000 | The excess is box 2 income in that year |
| Own-home debt | Excluded from the limit | Provided the conditions are met |
| Interest | At arm's length, so market rate | Too low a rate can be treated as a distribution |
| Repayment and security | Recorded in an agreement | Without terms it looks like a disguised dividend |
Frequently asked questions
What is a current account with my BV?
A running settlement of small amounts between you and your BV, such as a business cost paid privately. Meant for small, temporary traffic, not as a structural source of money.
Must interest apply to my current account debt?
Yes, an arm's-length rate, as the law would require between independent parties. For a small balance moving up and down within the year, no interest is often charged in practice, but record that arrangement in writing.
When does a withdrawal become disguised dividend?
When you withdraw without real capacity or intention to repay. The tax authorities then treat it as a profit distribution, with box 2 tax and possibly a penalty on top.
How does the € 500,000 limit work?
All debts to your own BV combined, with your partner, above € 500,000 are taxed at year end as box 2 income. Qualifying home loans from the BV do not count.
Is borrowing from my BV better than dividend?
A genuine loan at an arm's-length rate, with a repayment schedule and security, is possible provided the BV can spare the money and you can demonstrably repay it. For withdrawals without a repayment plan, dividend after the distribution test is the honest, safer route.
How do I clean up a swollen current account?
Three routes, often combined: repay from private funds, settle against a dividend (after the tests and with dividend tax), or convert into a formal loan with a schedule. Do it before year end.
Sources
- Excessive borrowing from your own company in 2026Belastingdienst · belastingdienst.nl
- Box 2 and substantial interestBelastingdienst · belastingdienst.nl
Sources checked on
This article provides general information based on the rules known for 2026 and does not replace personal tax advice. For your specific situation, we're happy to take a look with you.
