Self-employed professionals will be able to apply for an extra, temporary support for self-employed professionals (Tozo) to bridge the loss of income in the municipality where they live. The company’s viability test, which is part of the regular Bbz, will be skipped. This means a request for Tozo will be processed quicker.
Tozo explained
The Tozo consists of two schemes:
- Income support, depending on the income and your household situation this can amount to a maximum of €1,500 (net).
The income support does not have to be repaid, and there is no capital or partner test. The income support can be received for a maximum of 3 months;
and/or
- A loan for business capital to a maximum amount of €10,157. This loan does have to be repaid, but it is possible to request a delay of your payment obligation.
The interest rate will be lower than under the regular Bbz. The first repayments have to be conducted as early as 2021.
Terms and conditions
The terms and conditions of the extra support for self-employed professionals and owners of a private limited company (dga's; must hold at least 50% of shares) whose income has fallen below the social minimum due to the corona crisis are as follows:
- you are an established self-employed professional, ages between 18 and (state) pension age;
- you started your company before March 17, 2020, 18.45 hours;
- you live and reside in the Netherlands legitimately;
- your nationality is Dutch or equaled;
- you meet the hours criterion: a minimum of 1,225 hours per year are put into your company or professional activities. If you started your business less than a year ago a minimum of on average 23.5 hours per week applies;
- you practice your business or profession in the Netherlands (please find below the latest developments);
- you live in the municipality where you apply;
- you meet the legal requirements for being a business owner, for instance you are registered in the Commercial Register (Handelsregister);
- you have all permits required for your profession or business;
- your business is still active unless activity has been ceased due to the corona crisis;
- there are no grounds for exclusion from the Participation Act.
How to apply for Tozo
You apply for the Temporary bridging measure for self-employed professionals (Tozo) at the municipality where you live. Check your municipality’s website for more information. It is not necessary to apply immediately. Your municipality will be better able to deal with all applications if they do not come in all at once. The scheme will remain in place at least until 1 June 2020.
Cross-border developments
On April, 10, the State Secretary van Ark responded on several questions about the Tozo. Amongst others, the international dimension of the Tozo was discussed.
Tozo will become available to self-employed persons who live in the Netherlands and whose business is located outside the Netherlands or who works independently (and vice versa; living outside Netherlands but with a company / profession in the Netherlands) to ensure that self-employed professionals who live in the Netherlands or who have established their company in the Netherlands, can be properly supported in line with the objective of the Tozo. Further details can be expected.
On the Corona page of Bol International you will find current up to date information and all contact details of our specialists from the Corona Crisis Team.
