Giroo is a Dutch online accounting programme aimed at freelancers and small businesses. It promises everything in one environment: invoicing, VAT returns, bank integration, and mileage tracking. But what exactly do you pay, what do you get in return, and where does the software stop and the work of a proper tax adviser begin?
What is Giroo and who is it for
Giroo is a cloud-based accounting package developed specifically for business owners without extensive accounting knowledge. You work entirely online, via a browser or app, and your records are accessible anywhere at any time. The package is aimed at sole traders, but small businesses can also make good use of it.
Giroo’s strength lies in the combination of features that self-employed people need most often: sending invoices, processing incoming receipts, automatically importing bank transactions, and filing VAT returns via Digipoort. The latter is a direct connection to the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration, allowing you to submit your turnover tax with just a few clicks.
Giroo’s features at a glance
Giroo offers a broad set of core features that cover the day-to-day administration of a freelancer. The most important ones at a glance:
- Invoicing: create and send invoices in your own house style, including a payment request.
- VAT returns via Digipoort: submit directly to the Tax and Customs Administration from within the programme itself.
- Automatic bank integration: transactions are automatically imported and recognised, so you can process them with ease.
- Mileage tracking: useful when you make business journeys that you wish to deduct or recharge.
- Scan & recognise: photograph receipts and purchase invoices and have them processed automatically in your accounts.
- Cloud storage: all your documents stored digitally, which also helps you comply with the statutory record-keeping obligation.
For freelancers who want to keep their Administration Eindhoven as clear and cost-effective as possible, a package like this is a logical first step. You do most of the work yourself, which represents a considerable saving compared with fully outsourcing to an accountant.
What does Giroo cost for sole traders
Giroo operates on a subscription model, which has become standard for most online accounting packages. You can find the exact current rates at giroo.nl, as prices are updated regularly. As a point of reference: online accounting packages for freelancers typically cost between €10 and €30 per month in the market, depending on the plan and the features included.
What you should always keep a close eye on with any accounting package:
- Are VAT returns and bank integration included, or do they cost extra?
- Is there a limit on the number of invoices or transactions per month?
- Are there charges for the scan-and-recognise feature, or is it included as standard in the subscription?
- Can your accountant or tax adviser view your environment at no additional cost?
- Can you cancel on a monthly basis, or are you tied to an annual contract?
The good news is that the costs you pay for your accounting package are fully deductible as a business expense. You deduct them from your profit, meaning you effectively pay less than the amount shown on the invoice.
Plan een vrijblijvend gesprek en ontdek wat we voor je kunnen betekenen.
Plan een gesprekDo your own bookkeeping or bring in an adviser
A package like Giroo takes a great deal of daily work off your hands. However, there are situations where software alone is not enough. Think about making the most of allowable deductions such as the self-employed persons’ allowance and the SME profit exemption, correctly applying for the small businesses scheme (KOR), or preparing your income tax return as a business owner.
Software neatly records what has happened, but it does not advise you on what could have been done more tax-efficiently. A tax adviser looks further ahead and ensures you are not leaving money on the table.
Practical tips for making smart use of Giroo in combination with good advice:
- Update your records in Giroo every week so you are not trying to catch up with everything at the last minute.
- Connect your bank account immediately after signing up, so that transactions come in automatically.
- Photograph receipts as soon as you receive them using the app and process them straight away.
- Give your tax adviser access to your Giroo environment; that way they can work efficiently with your own data.
- Always have your income tax return as a business owner checked by a specialist, even if you keep your own records diligently.
- Not sure about the KOR or other schemes? Seek advice before you make a decision, not after.
When is Giroo enough and when is it not
Do you have a straightforward sole-trader administration, few invoices per month, and a clear-cut situation with no unusual investments or international turnover? Then with Giroo and a little discipline you will get a long way. You file your VAT return yourself via Digipoort, and at the end of the year you hand the data to your adviser for the income tax return.
Does your situation become more complex — for example because you are considering setting up a private limited company, converting your sole tradership, or dealing with tax questions about investments and deductions? Then a package like Giroo is a handy foundation, but you will also need tax advice to make the right decisions. Software gives you an overview; an adviser gives you direction.
Why Belastingadviseur Eindhoven
At Belastingadviseur Eindhoven we help freelancers and small businesses in the Eindhoven and Brabant region with far more than just their tax returns. Whether you are just starting out in business, working with Giroo or another accounting package, or ready for the next step such as setting up a private limited company or converting your sole tradership to a limited company: we are happy to think things through with you. No complicated jargon — just clear, straightforward advice tailored to your situation. Get in touch with us without obligation via our contact page and discover what we can do for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is Giroo suitable for sole traders with no accounting knowledge?
Yes, Giroo is designed for business owners without an extensive accounting background. The interface is clear and features such as automatic bank integration and scan-and-recognise remove a great deal of manual work. For more complex tax questions it is wise to consult a tax adviser.
Can I give my tax adviser access to my Giroo records?
With most online accounting packages, including Giroo, you can add an adviser or accountant as an additional user in your environment. This allows them to work directly in your up-to-date records without you needing to export or email documents. When signing up, check what access options are available.
As a sole trader, do I need to use an accountant or adviser alongside Giroo?
That depends on your situation. For day-to-day administration and VAT returns, Giroo will take you a long way. For your income tax return as a business owner, making the most of allowable deductions, or tax questions relating to growth and legal structure, professional advice is strongly recommended. That way you combine the best of both worlds.
Are Giroo's costs tax-deductible?
Yes, the subscription costs of an accounting programme are fully deductible business expenses and can therefore be offset against your profit. This reduces your taxable income and consequently your income tax liability. The net cost is therefore lower than the monthly amount you pay.
What are the alternatives to Giroo as an online accounting package for sole traders?
The Dutch market offers several comparable packages, such as e-Boekhouden.nl, MoneyMonk, Jortt, Tellow, and DigiBoox. They differ in price, ease of use, and specific features. Which package suits you best depends on the volume of your administration, whether you invoice on a time basis, and how much automation you require. A tax adviser can help you choose and set up the right solution.
We are happy to think along with you. For advice tailored to your situation we would gladly sit down with you. No rights can be derived from the content of this page and it may contain inaccuracies.
