When the Tax office announced its switch from ING to Rabobank as of 1 May 2026, it sounded like a minor administrative detail. In practice, details like this sit right at the heart of everyday business life: automated payments, cash flow, and the quiet expectation that taxes are paid correctly and on time, without constant attention.

The tax office has since clarified that payments sent to the old ING account after 1 May 2026 will still be processed. That takes away immediate risk. A monthly provisional corporate tax payment for 2026 that goes to the old account won’t simply fail. Still, the Belastingdienst clearly encourages companies to update the bank account number as soon as possible. Temporary tolerance is not meant to replace proper setup.

There is another routine that deserves a closer look. Businesses that pay their provisional corporate tax in monthly instalments receive a letter after each payment stating how much tax is still outstanding for the year. These letters often disappear into the file without much thought. In this case, they matter. The letter you receive in April 2026 will most likely mention the new bank account number of the tax office. That makes it a natural moment to check whether your payment settings are still correct.

For entrepreneurs who want absolute certainty, no timing risk, no wrong account, there is a straightforward alternative. Together with the provisional assessment for 2026, the Belastingdienst sends an automatic direct debit mandate (automatische incasso). By using this, the tax office collects the instalments itself, from the correct bank account, on the correct dates. It removes the need to adjust standing orders or remember changes altogether.

This is not about choosing the “best” method, but about choosing the one that fits your way of working. Manual or programmed payments offer control; automatic collection offers peace of mind. What matters is making a conscious choice, instead of letting old routines run unattended.

Small businesses thrive on systems that are quiet and predictable. A changed bank number, a routine letter, or a simple mandate may seem trivial. Handled calmly and on time, they stay exactly that, and leave your attention free for the work that actually drives your business.