The Dutch government has officially abandoned its proposal to tax unrealized investment gains, including those from Bitcoin. Prime Minister Rob Jetten and Finance Minister Eelco Heinen announced the shift in a letter dated September 29, 2026, opting to tax gains only upon realization starting in 2028.
The decision reverses a previous legislative move from February 2026, which aimed to impose a 36% tax on annual returns, covering paper profits. The government cited concerns regarding investor liquidity and the potential for forced asset sales in volatile markets as primary reasons for the policy change.
Under the current system, crypto assets in the Netherlands are taxed under Box 3 using a deemed return. For 2026, this deemed return is set at 6.00% and taxed at a rate of 36%. The new proposal remains subject to parliamentary review and the broader legislative process.
The reform is expected to have a financial impact of €15 billion in projected revenue through 2035. Lawmakers may consider lowering the tax-free allowance to offset this shortfall, which could result in smaller investors becoming subject to Box 3 taxation for the first time.
