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register with the Chamber of Commerce

Starting an online store consists of several phases. Roughly you can divide these phases into the preparatory work, building the shop and attracting your first visitors.

In the preparatory work, registering your webshop with the Chamber of Commerce, or CoC for short, can be an important step. In this article, we take a closer look at when to register a business with the Chamber of Commerce.

For example, is it mandatory to register your shop here?
What should you pay attention to when applying for a Chamber of Commerce number?

Is registering your webshop with the Chamber of Commerce mandatory?

Registering your webshop with the Chamber of Commerce is basically not mandatory. Especially when your turnover is limited, you can see your online store as a hobby project. You don't need a CoC number for these projects. Compare it to a personal blog, with which you earn x amount of money each month from advertisements or paid posts. A hobby project is defined as a project started without the intention of making a profit. Selling homemade cards, for example, is not something you do to make a lot of money, but to cover expenses. Registering your webshop with the Chamber of Commerce is not mandatory in such cases.

Chamber of Commerce applications to use payment services

Although registering your webshop with the Chamber of Commerce is not always mandatory, it does bring a number of benefits. For example, you can deduct business expenses from taxes payable and you have the option of using a payment service such as iDEAL. There are several payment providers that require an online store to be registered with the Chamber of Commerce. In addition, you often need to have a business account in order to accept payments through iDEAL. Opening a business account is, as the name suggests, only possible for entrepreneurs. When opening such an account, you need to provide a copy of your CoC extract.

Pros and cons of applying for a Chamber of Commerce number

We already described some of the pros and cons of applying for a CoC number for your webshop. Below we have once again listed the most important points for you.

Benefits

  • Business account request
  • You can offer iDEAL as a payment option
  • A Chamber of Commerce number is mandatory with higher turnover
  • You can join an industry association

Disadvantages

  • File your quarterly sales tax return
  • A CoC number costs money

Choose a single CoC registration for multiple webshops

To make registering a webshop in the Chamber of Commerce's register as easy as possible, it is smart to place several webshops with the same company. In this case, you only apply for a Chamber of Commerce number for the umbrella company. It saves you a lot of administrative work! After all, you don't have to file a sales tax return for each webshop, but do so directly for all parts of your business.

Not sure yet if you want to start multiple online shops in the future? Even in that case, it might be smart to register a generic company name with the Chamber of Commerce in the meantime. Your first webshop will fall under this company.

Different legal forms for your business

Making an appointment at the CoC is preceded by a choice of legal forms. It may be wise to get advice on this if you are unfamiliar with the differences. Setting up a sole proprietorship entails different obligations than, for example, starting a private limited company (BV) or a general partnership (VOF).

For example, did you know that in the case of a limited liability company, it is mandatory to publish financial statements? In the case of a sole proprietorship, it is sufficient to file monthly sales tax returns. The sole proprietorship is also reflected in the income tax return at the beginning of a new year.

Compared to the past, it is no longer mandatory to put a large start-up capital into a limited liability company. However, you are required to have several things put on paper by a notary. Starting a private limited company therefore involves much more than just registering at the Chamber of Commerce.

Difference in liability in legal forms

Not only do the obligations under the different legal forms differ. There is also a difference in liability. With a sole proprietorship, for example, you are personally liable for debts, a claim and other expenses.

In the case of a limited liability company, you are in no way jointly and severally liable. Especially as your company or loose webshop grows, this can offer advantages. In the initial phase of a webshop, a sole proprietorship is almost always chosen. Will you start the shop together with others? In that case, a general partnership may be more interesting.

Make an appointment at the Chamber of Commerce for your registration

Registering your webshop with the Chamber of Commerce starts with an on-site appointment. After you submit an application online, the Chamber of Commerce will invite you to stop by the branch in your area. Here you will receive more information about what it means to register a webshop with the Chamber of Commerce. After your appointment is completed, you walk out of the office with a thick folder of information and your own CoC number. You are now ready to start your webshop!

Cost of registering with the Chamber of Commerce

Starting a webshop and registering with the Chamber of Commerce involves costs. Registering your webshop with the Chamber of Commerce costs a one-time fee of 50 euros. Whereas you used to pay a fixed annual fee for maintaining the CoC number, that no longer applies today.

Please note that in addition to this 50 euros, there is a 15 euros charge for your first extract from the trade register. You need this extract in order to set up a business bank account and sign up with a payment provider.

Tip: Don't wait too long to apply for the bank account and an account with the payment provider. They ask for a recent extract from the trade register! If you wait too long, you will have to apply for an extract again.

Webinar starting an online store

Starting a web shop. How do you tackle this and what do you need to consider? During this webinar by the experts from KVK, Belastingdienst and fellow entrepreneurs, you will get information on all the topics you have to deal with as a starting entrepreneur.