💡 What is bank cashback?
Many banks (Accountable Banking, Revolut, N26, ING, KBC, Wise…) pay you back a small percentage of your card payments. This amount arrives in your account as an incoming transaction.
Like any bank transaction, this cashback needs to be classified in Accountable so your bookkeeping and tax estimate stay accurate.
Please note that this article provides general guidance only. Tax rules may vary depending on your individual situation. When in doubt, ask your Tax Coach.
This article covers how Accountable Banking handles cashback automatically, how to classify cashback from another bank, and how cashback is treated for tax purposes.
💳 Accountable Banking cashback: how it works
The cashback you receive with your Accountable Banking card is automatically recorded in Accountable in the "Interest or cashback" category. You don't need to do anything.
For rates, limits and payout dates, check out this article: What is the Accountable Banking Cashback Program?
👉 Cashback from another bank: how to classify it
If you receive cashback from another bank connected to Accountable (Revolut, N26, ING, KBC, Wise…), here's how to classify it.
On the web version:
Open the Bank screen and click on the cashback transaction.
Select Other > Interest or cashback > Cashback.
Click Create a new cashback revenue. A revenue entry is created and automatically linked to your bank transaction.
On the mobile app:
Open the Bank screen and click on the cashback transaction.
Select Professional income > Income without invoice or receipt > Create a new income entry.
Click on Category > Other income > Interest and cashback.
📄 We recommend attaching a supporting document to your cashback revenue, such as your bank statement or the cashback overview provided by your bank.
💰 How is cashback taxed?
Cashback received on your professional account or card
The cashback is linked to your activity: it is treated as taxable professional income. It is added to your taxable income for income tax, at the rate that applies to you.
Cashback received on a personal account or linked to personal spending
It is not linked to your self-employed activity, so it is not professional income. If this account is connected to Accountable, simply classify the transaction as a personal payment.
Is there any VAT to declare?
No VAT applies: you don't provide any service to your bank, so cashback falls outside the scope of VAT. This applies whether you are under the normal VAT regime or the VAT exemption scheme.
What should I do with small amounts?
There is no minimum threshold: even a few cents per month must be recorded. The impact on your taxes remains very limited.
What is the impact on your income tax?
As part of your professional income, cashback is taken into account when calculating your social contributions. For small amounts, the impact is negligible.
You can see the exact impact from the transaction, via the tax impact view.
The same logic applies whatever your bank.
⚠️ Not to be confused with referral rewards
This article only covers cashback paid by your bank on your payments. If you're asking about rewards for recommending Accountable to other freelancers, check out this article about our referral program: Refer Accountable to a friend & earn 110€
Key takeaways
Accountable Banking cashback is classified automatically in the "Interest or cashback" category. No action needed.
Cashback from another connected bank must be manually classified: use Other > Interest or cashback > Cashback on the web, or Professional income > Income without invoice or receipt on mobile.
Cashback on your professional account counts as taxable professional income and is included in your social contributions calculation.
No VAT applies to cashback, regardless of your VAT regime.
There is no minimum threshold: record every amount, even a few cents.
Need help? Chat with us or email support@accountable.eu, we're happy to help.