How to Set Up Digital Post from the Dutch Tax Authority
Paper letters from the Dutch Tax Authority (Belastingdienst) get lost, pile up, or arrive after deadlines have already passed. That costs time and sometimes money. As a business owner, you can set up digital post yourself and receive all messages in one place. Here's how.
Not legal advice. Consult a tax adviser for your specific situation.
Two channels for digital correspondence
The Belastingdienst uses two separate channels for business communication:
| Channel | For whom | Login method | Notifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk | Businesses (sole trader, BV, VOF) | eHerkenning or DigiD | Configurable via email |
| Berichtenbox MijnOverheid | Individuals and sole traders | DigiD | Via MijnOverheid settings |
For most business owners, Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk is the right portal. VAT-related letters are the first category to become available digitally here. The MijnOverheid Berichtenbox is also relevant for sole traders who receive private government correspondence.
Want to see how digital post connects to your broader financial admin? Read how automatic invoicing based on hours worked keeps everything in one place.
Step-by-step: activating digital post
Imagine you run a small IT firm. Every month a VAT assessment arrives by post, sometimes three days after the payment deadline has already started. These steps fix that.
Step 1: Log in to Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk Visit belastingdienst.nl and choose business login with eHerkenning (level 2+) or DigiD (sole traders).
Step 2: Activate digital post Under 'Settings', select the option to receive as many letters as possible digitally. From 1 September 2026, this option will be available to all business owners.
Step 3: Set up email notifications Without a notification you'll miss new messages. Go to MijnOverheid, open 'Settings', then 'Organisations Berichtenbox' and enter a current email address.
Step 4: Prefer paper? Opt out easily Digital post is voluntary. Simply uncheck 'Belastingdienst' in your Berichtenbox settings to switch back to paper correspondence.
Step 5: Build it into your workflow Ticking the box is just step one. Make sure you or a colleague checks the portal weekly. According to the Belastingdienst, an unread digital message carries the same legal weight as a paper letter.
You can update your preferences at any time via the official digital post preference page.
What you will and won't receive digitally
Not all document types are available digitally yet. The Belastingdienst begins with VAT-related letters; other categories follow later. Continue checking your physical letterbox until the full rollout is complete.
Available digitally:
- VAT assessments and decisions
- Confirmations of submitted returns
- VAT reminders and payment demands
Not yet confirmed or outside digital scope:
- Certain correspondence for specific legal forms
- Objection and appeal decisions
- Payroll tax correspondence (check your own portal)
If payroll taxes affect your team, the knowledge base article on Payroll Tax 2027 is a useful companion read.
Connecting digital post to your daily workflow
Digital post only adds value if you can act on it immediately. When a VAT assessment arrives, you want to know straight away whether your debtors have paid. Good debtor management prevents a cash-flow squeeze. Read more about debtor management and cash flow for freelancers and SMEs.
The Belastingdienst also states that the seven-year record-keeping obligation applies to digital fiscal documents. Download messages and store them in a system you control, separate from the Tax Authority portal. See also the guidance on belastingdienst.nl.
Conclusion
Setting up digital post from the Belastingdienst takes less than ten minutes. Log in to Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk, activate the digital option, and configure an email notification via MijnOverheid. From 1 September 2026 this is available to all business owners. It's entirely voluntary: one unticked box returns you to paper. Pair this with a structured admin workflow and you'll be ready the moment the next assessment arrives.
Not legal advice. Consult a tax adviser for your specific situation.
Frequently asked questions
Is digital post from the Belastingdienst compulsory for business owners? No. It's a voluntary choice. You decide whether to receive letters digitally or by post and can change your preference at any time in Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk or the Berichtenbox settings.
Which login method do I need for Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk? Sole traders log in with DigiD. If you have a BV, VOF, or another legal form, you need eHerkenning at level 2+. Without the correct login method you cannot access the business portal.
What happens if I don't read a digital message? According to the Belastingdienst, an unread message has the same legal validity as a paper letter. The Tax Authority considers it received the moment it appears in your digital environment. Always enable email notifications so nothing slips through.
Can I save digital post for my own records? Yes, and it is strongly recommended. Download messages and store them in your own system. The Belastingdienst states that the seven-year retention obligation applies to digital fiscal documents. Keep copies somewhere you control, independent of the portal.
Will I receive all types of post digitally from September 2026? Not immediately. The rollout starts with VAT-related letters; other document types follow later. Keep checking your physical letterbox in the meantime.
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