A business fatbike offers you several tax advantages as an entrepreneur in the Netherlands. You can deduct expenses, reclaim VAT and benefit from a low additional tax rate of 7%. These benefits make a fatbike a smart investment for companies that want to combine sustainable mobility with financial benefits. In this guide, you will read exactly how to take maximum advantage of all tax benefits fatbike.
What are the fatbike tax benefits for business owners?
As an entrepreneur, you benefit from several tax advantages fatbike. You can deduct the purchase cost as business expenses. You can claim back the VAT on business use of at least 10%. And you pay only 7% additional tax on the recommended retail price. This makes a business fatbike financially attractive.
The biggest advantage is in the combination of all the arrangements. You write off the fatbike over a maximum of 5 years. You deduct all costs such as maintenance, insurance and repairs. And if you invest enough, you qualify for the small-scale investment deduction. So you reduce your taxable profit in several ways.
Fatbike tax benefits apply to all types of business owners. Whether you have a sole proprietorship, are self-employed or run a limited liability company. There are also favorable arrangements for employers who purchase fatbikes for employees. The addition to income for 7% is much lower than for a company car. The additional tax rate ranges from 16% to 22%.
The same benefits apply to electric fatbikes as to regular fatbikes. The electric bike tax advantage is reflected mainly in the low additional tax. You pay only €7 per month extra tax on a €3,000 fatbike. That's a pittance compared to the benefits you get back through deductions and VAT refunds.
How does VAT deduction work with a business fatbike?
With business use of at least 10%, you can reclaim VAT on a fatbike. However, you must be VAT liable. You reclaim the VAT fatbike business via your regular VAT return. Just include the purchase invoice with your purchases. Then you will automatically get the VAT back.
For a STOER UrbanX of €3,499 you pay €610.66 in VAT. You get that back in full if you use the fatbike for at least 10% business use. At a CargoX of €6,495 involves a whopping €1,133.68 VAT refund. That immediately makes a big difference.
For mixed use, specific rules apply. Do you use the fatbike for more than 50% business use? Then you reclaim the full VAT. For less than 50% business use, you cannot reclaim VAT. Therefore, it is important to keep a logbook. In it, record your business and private mileage so you can prove the percentage.
You get the VAT refund immediately upon purchase. You don't have to wait until the end of the year. Be careful when selling within five years. Then you may have to pay VAT on the selling price. That depends on your VAT status at that time. So keep your fatbike for at least 5 years if you want to avoid this VAT complication.
Special VAT rules for employers
Different VAT rules apply to employers for fatbikes for employees. You can deduct a maximum of €130 in VAT per bike. That corresponds to a bike of €749 including VAT. Does the fatbike cost more? Then you only deduct the VAT on the first €749. So for a fatbike of €3,000, you do not deduct the full €524 VAT, but only €130.
Conditions do apply. You may not have purchased or leased another bicycle for the same employee in the current year and the previous two years. You may also not give a tax-free commuting allowance if the employee has a company bicycle. These rules prevent double tax benefits.
What are the addition rules for a business fatbike?
For fatbikes, an additional charge of 7% applies to the consumer recommended retail price including VAT. This applies to all types of bikes. Also for electric fatbikes that cost thousands of euros. This fatbike addition applies per year. You do not pay this amount all at once, but spread over 12 months via your tax return.
A mathematical example makes it clear. A STOER CityX of €3,299 has an additional tax liability of 7% × €3,299 = €231 per year. That's €19.25 per month. You pay tax on this amount according to your personal rate. At a tax rate of 37%, you pay €7.12 per month in additional tax. For unlimited use of your business fatbike.
For a €6,495 CargoX, the additional tax is €455 per year, or €38 per month. At a tax rate of 37%, you pay €14 per month in taxes on that. Still a bargain when you consider that you have a modern electric cargo bike at your disposal. For both business and private use.
This favorable addition rule makes fatbikes especially attractive as an employer benefit. Employers can purchase fatbikes for employees without heavy payroll taxes. The employee pays only a few euros extra tax per month. While the employer can deduct all costs and reclaim the VAT.
Avoiding additional taxes through the work expense scheme
As an employer, you can also take care of the additional expenses. You do this through the free space in the work expense scheme. In 2025 you have 1.92% of free space over the first €400,000 in wages. And 1.18% over the excess. You can use this free space to cover the fatbike addition.
Thus, the employee pays no tax at all on the fatbike. That makes it even more attractive as a fringe benefit. Note, however, that your free allowance is limited. If you use it up for fatbikes, you can no longer provide other fringe benefits tax-free. So make a good trade-off.
How do you deduct a business fatbike as a business asset?
You register your fatbike as an asset by properly posting the purchase invoice to an asset account. Then you set up a depreciation schedule. You deduct the business fatbike via annual depreciation. Or you use the free depreciation scheme for small business assets under €450. Then you write off everything at once.
For fatbikes over €450 excluding VAT, you write off in up to 5 years. The tax authorities usually use a depreciation rate of 20% per year. So for an UrbanX of €3,499 excluding VAT (€2,892), you write off €578 per year. You deduct that amount from your profit. You then pay no tax on that €578.
At a tax rate of 37%, this saves you €214 per year in taxes. So over 5 years, you save €1,070 in tax via depreciation. Add to that the VAT refund of €611. And the low additional tax liability of only €86 per year. Then you see that the tax advantages fatbike add up considerably.
The small-scale investment deduction (KIA)
Do you invest enough in business assets? Then you qualify for the small-scale investment deduction. This entrepreneurial fatbike deduction is in addition to your normal depreciation. You must invest a minimum of €2,701 in one year. And each asset must cost at least €450 excluding VAT.
The percentage of KIA varies. For an investment between €2,701 and €62,333, you get a 28% deduction. For a €6,495 CargoX (€5,367 excluding VAT), that's an additional €1,503 deduction. At a tax rate of 37%, that saves you €556 in the first year. That's a big discount on your investment.
The KIA applies to all investments combined. Do you buy several fatbikes in one year? Then add up all the amounts together. This will get you over €2,701 more quickly. For example, do you buy two UrbanX models of €2,892 each excluding VAT? Then you invest €5,784. That gives you 28% × €5,784 = €1,619 additional deduction. At 37% tax, you save €599.
How do you keep an accurate mileage log?
Mileage registration is important to prove business use. Especially with mixed use, this helps to correctly apply the VAT rules. For each trip, record the date, destination, mileage and purpose of the business trip. This way you build up watertight proof.
You can use a simple Excel file. Or an app on your phone that automatically records your routes. The important thing is to be consistent. Forget to keep track for a few months? Then it becomes difficult to prove the business percentage during an audit by the Inland Revenue.
Commuting counts as business use. That's a legal fiction. Do you drive 10 kilometers to your work location every day? Then that's automatically 20 business kilometers per day. At 220 working days per year, that amounts to 4,400 business kilometers. Do you drive a total of 6,000 kilometers per year? Then your business percentage is 73%. More than enough to claim all the fatbike tax benefits.
What should you keep for records?
For your records, you will need: the original purchase invoice, any financing agreements and documentation of business use. Also keep photos of your fatbike and note the serial number. In case of an audit by the tax authorities, you must be able to prove that the fatbike is actually used for business purposes.
Keep all maintenance and repair bills. These are fully deductible as business expenses. You can also deduct insurance, accessories such as a helmet or lock, and storage costs. With a STOER fatbike with Gates CDX belt drive, maintenance costs are low. The belt lasts up to 30,000 kilometers without maintenance. That saves you a lot of administration and costs.
What are the benefits of an electric fatbike for business?
Using an electric fatbike for business offers additional benefits. The electric support makes longer distances effortless. You arrive fresh at your appointment. And you are often faster than by car in the city. All tax advantages fatbike just apply to electric models.
A fatbike's thick tires give you extra comfort and stability. You ride smoothly over bumpy roads, cobblestones and even streetcar rails. That makes a fatbike ideal for business use in the city. No hassle with tire sticking or sinking in sand. A STOER fatbike gets everywhere.
The batteries of STOER fatbikes are powerful. The UrbanX and CityX have a 720Wh battery that allows you to ride 80-100 kilometers. The CargoX even has a 960Wh battery for 60-100 kilometers with full load. That's enough for a full work day. And you charge the battery at home or the office for a few cents worth of electricity.
Comparison with a company car
The tax benefits fatbike are much more favorable than with a company car. A car has an additional tax rate of 16% to 22% on the list value. So for a €40,000 car, you pay €6,400 to €8,800 additional tax liability per year. That's €533 to €733 per month. At a tax rate of 37%, you pay €197 to €271 per month in taxes on that.
A €3,500 fatbike has an additional tax liability of only €245 per year. That's €20 per month. At 37% tax, you pay €7.40 a month on that. The difference is huge. For many business trips in the city, a fatbike is a smart alternative. You save on fuel, parking costs and insurance. And you benefit from much better tax advantages.
What costs can you deduct in addition to the purchase price?
You can deduct all operational costs of your business fatbike. Think of maintenance, repairs, insurance, accessories and storage costs. Even costs for any lease construction are fully deductible as business expenses. This is how you maximize your tax advantages fatbike.
Maintenance costs are limited on a STOER fatbike. The Gates CDX belt drive requires hardly any maintenance. No lubricating or replacing like a chain. The Tektro hydraulic brakes are reliable and last a long time. Count on €200-300 a year for standard maintenance. That's a lot cheaper than a car.
Good insurance costs about €15-25 per month for a €3,000-€4,000 fatbike. For a €6,495 CargoX, you'll pay €25-35 per month. These costs are fully deductible. You can also fully deduct accessories such as a helmet (mandatory for speed pedelecs), a sturdy lock, rain gear or a bicycle bag.
Parking and charging fees
Do you rent a storage space for your business fatbike? That cost is also deductible. In big cities, this can cost €50-100 per month. But it protects your investment from theft and vandalism. Especially for an expensive electric fatbike, it's worth it.
Charging costs are minimal. Charging a full battery costs about €0.15-0.25 in electricity. At 3 recharges per week, you come to €30-40 per year. These costs are also deductible. Although the amount is so small that it is hardly worth accounting for separately. Just include it in your general energy costs.
Can you also deduct a used fatbike for business purposes?
Yes, all tax advantages fatbike also apply to used models. You can deduct the full purchase price and reclaim the VAT for business use. However, the seller must be liable for VAT. Are you buying a used fatbike from a private person? Then there is no VAT on it and you cannot reclaim anything.
Do note the remaining lifespan for your depreciation schedule. You won't write off a used fatbike that is 2 years old in 5 years. Realistically estimate how many more years the fatbike will last. Usually that's 3-4 years for a used model. Then depreciate faster at a higher percentage per year.
You calculate the additional charge based on the original new price. Not the price you paid yourself. Are you buying a used UrbanX that cost €3,499 new? Then the additional tax is 7% × €3,499 = €245 per year. Even if you yourself paid only €2,000 for the used model. That's an important difference to remember.
How does it work for ZZP'ers without a VAT number?
Even without a VAT number, you benefit from tax advantages fatbike. You can fully deduct the purchase cost as a business expense through your income tax. You simply write off the fatbike over 5 years. And the addition of 7% also applies to ZZP'ers without VAT. You just can't reclaim VAT.
There is an alternative arrangement for self-employed workers. You can opt for a kilometer allowance of €0.23 per business kilometer. Instead of putting the fatbike on business. This is useful if you have a cheap fatbike or make few business kilometers. You then don't have to write off the depreciation and have no additional taxable income.
A calculation example. You cycle 5,000 kilometers per year on business. With the mileage allowance, you deduct 5,000 × €0.23 = €1,150. At a tax rate of 37%, you save €426 per year. Buy a €2,500 fatbike and write it off in 5 years? Then you deduct €500 per year and save €185. Plus the KIA and VAT if you can claim them.
Which arrangement is most advantageous depends on your situation. Do the math with your own figures. Or ask your accountant for advice. He or she can tell you exactly which arrangement offers you the most fiscal benefit.
What if you sell the fatbike after a few years?
If you sell within 5 years of purchase, you may have to pay VAT on the sale price. This only applies if you are liable for VAT. You calculate the VAT on the current selling price. Not on the original purchase price. Do you sell a fatbike worth €3,000 after 3 years for €1,500? Then you pay 21% × €1,500 = €315 VAT.
You also have to write off the remaining book value. Did you write off a €3,000 fatbike excluding VAT for €1,800 in 3 years? Then the book value is still €1,200. Do you sell it for €1,500 excluding VAT? Then you have €300 book profit. You pay taxes on that. Do you sell it for €900? Then you have €300 loss and can deduct that.
It is wise to have your accountant provide tax guidance for the sale. That way you avoid unexpected tax claims. And you won't make mistakes in your administration. A few hours of advice costs little and can save you a lot of trouble.
Which STOER fatbike suits your business use?
STOER Bikes offers three models that are perfect for business use. Each model has its own strengths. We will help you choose which one best suits your work and take full advantage of all tax advantages fatbike.
UrbanX: for long business trips
The STOER UrbanX costs €3,499 and is perfect for daily business trips. With a 720Wh battery you will ride 80-100 kilometers. The Bafang H720 motor with 55Nm of torque effortlessly pulls you through the city. The Gates CDX belt drive requires no maintenance and lasts for 30,000 kilometers.
The tax advantages fatbike with an UrbanX: VAT refund of €611, annual depreciation of €578, additional taxable benefit of only €245 per year. When using the KIA you get an additional €808 deduction in the first year. That makes the net investment a lot lower than the list price.
CityX: the accessible business fatbike
For €3,299 you can buy the STOER CityX. The latest model with low entry for easy mounting and dismounting. Perfect for business use where you make frequent stops. The same strong specifications as the UrbanX. The buddy seat offers convenient storage for your lock and business items.
The tax advantages fatbike are similar to the UrbanX. The lower purchase price does mean slightly less depreciation. But the additional tax liability is also €14 per year lower. For companies purchasing multiple fatbikes, the CityX is often the favorite. Because of its low entry level, anyone can ride it.
CargoX: the business cargo bike with maximum tax benefits
The STOER CargoX from €6,495 is the choice for transportation. With 960Wh battery you will ride 60-100 km with full load. The Bafang motor delivers 92Nm of torque for heavy loads. The 100×70 cm bin offers space for 150 kg. Perfect for last-mile delivery or hauling stuff to customers.
The tax advantages fatbike are greatest with a CargoX. VAT refund of €1,134, annual depreciation of €1,073, and because of the high investment, you qualify for 28% KIA. That's an additional €1,503 deduction in the first year. At a tax rate of 37%, this will save you €556. The CargoX won the German Design Award 2025 and is a paragon of Dutch design.
Summary: take maximum advantage of fatbike tax benefits
The tax advantages of a business fatbike are substantial and make this sustainable transportation option very attractive financially. Through the combination of depreciation, VAT refund, KIA and low additional tax liability, you as an entrepreneur create a win-win situation. You invest in sustainable mobility and reduce your tax burden at the same time.
The main tax advantages fatbike at a glance: VAT refund of 21% on the purchase price, depreciation of 20% per year over 5 years, additional taxable income of only 7% per year, KIA deduction of 28% if there is sufficient investment, and all operating costs fully deductible. Add it all up and your investment is more than half tax-deferred.
Keep a good mileage log to prove your business use. Keep all invoices and documents neatly. And consult with your accountant about the best way to take advantage of fatbike tax benefits. This way you get the most out of your investment in a STOER fatbike.
At STOER Bikes, we understand these benefits. Our fatbikes with Gates CDX belt drive are specially designed for intensive business use. With minimal maintenance and maximum reliability. Schedule a test ride at a dealer near you. Or view our complete range at stoerbikes.com.
FAQ
What happens if I want to sell my business fatbike after two years?
When selling within 5 years of purchase, you may have to pay VAT on the sale price if you are liable for VAT. You calculate the VAT on the current sales value, not the original purchase price. You must also write off the remaining book value in your records. Do you sell for more than the book value? Then you have book profit and pay tax on it. It's smart to have your accountant provide tax guidance for the sale to avoid unexpected tax claims.
Can I purchase several fatbikes at once and take advantage of all the tax benefits?
Yes, you can purchase multiple fatbikes and take full fatbike tax benefits for each bike. However, make sure you can prove business use for each fatbike with mileage records. The purchase should also be proportional to your business size. Do you have 2 employees? Then 5 fatbikes are difficult to explain to the tax authorities. An additional advantage of multiple fatbikes: you will get over the €2,701 for the KIA deduction sooner.
How do I prove to the IRS that my fatbike is used predominantly for business?
Keep a detailed log with the date, destination, mileage and business purpose for each trip. Also keep your calendar of appointments, customer invoices and other documents that support business use. Commuting automatically counts as business. A rule of thumb is that at least 10% of the mileage must be business for the fatbike to count as business. For full VAT deduction, you need at least 50% of business use.
What other expenses can I deduct besides the purchase price?
You can deduct all operational costs such as maintenance, repairs, insurance, accessories (helmet, lock, rain suit) and storage costs. Costs for any lease structure are also fully deductible as operating expenses. With a STOER fatbike with Gates CDX belt drive, maintenance costs are low because the belt lasts up to 30,000 kilometers without maintenance. Charging costs are also deductible, although at €30-40 per year they are negligible.
What if I use my fatbike for both business and personal use, but have not kept a logbook?
Without mileage records, it becomes difficult to prove business use during an audit. Start immediately with a logbook and try to reconstruct as many business trips as possible afterwards using your diary and invoices. When in doubt, the tax authorities often use a 50/50 split between business and private. Then you can deduct half the expenses and reclaim half the VAT. But a thorough logbook gives you much more certainty.
Do the same tax benefits apply to a used business fatbike?
Yes, all tax advantages fatbike also apply to used models. You can deduct the full purchase price and, for business use, reclaim the VAT (if the seller is liable for VAT). Do pay attention to the remaining lifespan for your depreciation schedule. You write off a used fatbike over its estimated remaining useful life, usually 3-4 years. You calculate the additional depreciation on the original new price, not on what you paid yourself.
As a self-employed person without a VAT number, can I still benefit from a fatbike purchase?
Yes, even without a VAT number you benefit from tax advantages fatbike. You can fully deduct the purchase cost as a business expense through your income tax. You can only not reclaim VAT. The fatbike remains additionally tax-free with 7% and you can make use of depreciation and possibly the KIA. Alternatively, you can opt for the mileage allowance of €0.23 per business kilometer instead of putting the fatbike on the company's account.