Why freelancers need time tracking
Accurate time tracking is the foundation of a healthy freelance business. Whether you're billing by the hour, tracking project profitability, or meeting the Dutch 1,225-hour criterion for tax deductions — without a reliable record of your hours, you're flying blind. Our free time tracker gives you a simple, no-sign-up solution that works entirely in your browser.
The 1,225-hour threshold is particularly important for freelancers working in the Netherlands. Meeting this criterion unlocks the self-employment deduction (zelfstandigenaftrek — €5,030 in 2026), one of the most valuable tax benefits available to Dutch sole traders. Our tracker shows you a real-time progress bar toward this goal, so you always know where you stand.
Beyond tax obligations, tracking your time reveals whether your hourly rate reflects reality. Many freelancers discover they're spending significantly more time on projects than expected — meaning they're effectively earning far less per hour than their rate suggests. Time data is the starting point for raising your rates and improving profitability.
What counts toward the 1,225-hour criterion?
- Billable client work (direct project hours)
- Acquisition time (writing proposals, networking)
- Administration and bookkeeping for your business
- Professional development directly related to your work
- Travel time for business appointments
Frequently asked questions
How many hours per week do I need for the 1,225-hour criterion?▼
The 1,225-hour criterion works out to roughly 23.6 hours per week across 52 weeks. If you take vacation or sick days, you'll need to work more in other weeks to compensate. Remember: the criterion counts hours spent on your business, not just billable client hours — administration, acquisition, and relevant training also count.
Can I use this time tracker as official proof for the Dutch tax authority?▼
The tracker helps you record and export your hours as CSV. Whether this constitutes sufficient evidence for a Belastingdienst audit depends on the detail and credibility of your entries. Describe specific activities each day rather than just "work" — detailed entries are far more convincing during a tax inspection and less likely to be challenged.
How is this different from paid tools like Toggl or Harvest?▼
Paid tools like Toggl and Harvest offer advanced features: integrations with invoicing software, team management, detailed reporting, and mobile apps. Our free tracker is simpler — it's designed for solo freelancers who need a quick, no-login solution to record their hours and export them to CSV. If you need team features or deep integrations, a paid tool may be worth it. For individual hour tracking, our tool covers the essentials at zero cost.
Are my hours saved if I close the browser?▼
Yes — the tracker saves your data in your browser's local storage, so your entries persist between sessions on the same device and browser. If you clear your browser data or use a different browser/device, your entries won't be there. For long-term storage, export your hours as CSV regularly and save the file in a safe location.
What should I do if I miss logging hours for several days?▼
Log retroactively as soon as possible, with specific dates and activities. The Dutch tax authority (Belastingdienst) accepts retroactively entered records as long as they are plausible and consistent. Keeping a daily work diary or calendar alongside the tracker helps you reconstruct missing entries accurately if needed.