The allowance concerns a fiscally beneficial exchange of the sources of salary, holiday leave hours, holiday allowance and year-end bonus that you are entitled to as an employee. In the self-service option you can make a test calculation with (a combination of) the different sources.
From 1 January 2023, a maximum of 2,000 euros applies (including VAT). The date on the purchase receipt determines the maximum amount that can be fiscally exchanged. If the bicycle is more expensive than 2000 euros (including VAT), the costs rising above that amount will be fully for your own account.
Conditions
One of the conditions is that the employee uses the bicycle for commuting at least half of the number of days per year. This allowance is granted a maximum of once every three years.
The exchange may only be made after the employee has submitted a request through the Individual choices model. The following appendices are obligatory:
1. the purchase receipt, including the specification stating:
- the type of bike
- the name of the employee
- the purchase date
2. proof stating that the bike has been paid for, such as an online banking statement
The bicycle must have been purchased within the current calendar year at the time of request. There is one exception: bicycles purchased in the period 1 December to 31 December must be submitted before 10 February of the following calendar year. If the request does not meet the above conditions, the purchased bicycle is not eligible for tax exchange via the Individual choices model.
By submitting their request through the Individual choices model, employees state that they use their bicycle to commute to and from work. Any employee who makes a false statement on the bicycle scheme form will be fiscally and legally liable for any expenses that may be incurred.
For the record: a moped or electric scooter are not the same as a bicycle or e-bike and may not be exchanged for tax purposes.
Costs for the purchase or modification of a wheelchair used by an employee for commuting to and from work can be fiscally exchanged via this option.
For a bicycle exchanged via the Individual choices model, you can also choose two other goals: a bicycle insurance policy and/or a maximum of 82 euros worth of bicycle accessories.
Bicycle insurance
VU Amsterdam offers employees a one-off tax exchange per calendar year for the premium for a bicycle insurance. Where this is the case, this bicycle insurance must relate to a bicycle exchanged via the Individual choices model. The entire insurance period on the policy or invoice has to apply to the year in which the tax exchange is taking place. In the event that the insurance period relates to multiple calendar years, the payment needs to have taken place in the year in which the tax exchange takes place.
Bicycle accessories
VU Amsterdam offers employees a one-off tax exchange per calendar year of a maximum of 82 euros for the purchase costs of bicycle accessories. Bicycle accessories include at least all extras mounted to a bicycle, but also bicycle clothing and protection gear for the employee. These bicycle accessories must relate to a bicycle exchanged via the Individual choices model.
Individual choices model
The Individual choices model Regulations (pdf) forms the basis for this scheme. There are more choices to be made based on this optional model.
Situations may occur in which it becomes apparent, during the course of the calendar year, that too many holiday hours have been used. In particular, this applies to student assistants who generally have short-term employment contracts and/or a low working time factor and therefore have significantly less time as a resource at their disposal. As a result, settlement must take place. After all, if employees use holiday leave hours that they do not accrue, they enjoy working conditions to which they are not entitled. Settlement must then take place at the end of the student assistantship.
The same goes, for example, if a period of parental leave or partially or fully unpaid leave causes accrual to be reduced. According to Article 6.2, any such settlement must take place within a year after the end of the period of leave.
If you wish to make use of the bicycle scheme, you can use the blue 'Take action now' button on this page. It will take you to the self-service option Compose your employment conditions package according to your choice.