The invention relates to a process for the preparation of sodium dithionite, comprising the steps (a) provision of a synthesis batch comprising sodium formate, sulfur dioxide and an alkaline sodium compound in aqueous methanolic solution with formation of a sodium dithionite mother liquor, (b) isolation of sodium dithionite from the sodium dithionite mother liquor, a residual mother liquor being obtained, (c) separation of methanol from the residual mother liquor, (d) separation of the residual mother liquor into a thiosulfate-rich first part-stream and a thiosulfate-poor, formate-containing second part-stream by means of nanofiltration, (e) concentration of sodium formate in the second part-stream and (f) recycling of the concentrated second part-stream to process step (a).