- The Wet werkelijk rendement Box 3 will take effect on January 1, 2028, according to the Dutch Parliament.
- A flat tax of 36% will apply to positive net returns above a threshold of €1,800 per person.
- Losses can be carried forward to offset future gains.
The Netherlands is preparing a major change to how investors are taxed, and this shift could directly affect people holding Bitcoin and other crypto assets.
Starting in 2028, the country plans to tax unrealized gains, which means investors may owe tax even if they have not sold their assets.
According to a post shared by Crypto Rover, the Netherlands is moving toward taxing unrealized Bitcoin gains, bringing attention to how authorities may treat crypto under standard investment tax rules.
The policy is expected to cover a wide range of assets, including Bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies, stocks, bonds, and similar investments.
For many investors, the key issue is that tax will be triggered by changes in value over time rather than by sales that realize profits.
That makes the reform especially relevant for crypto holders, who often face large price swings and long holding periods.
Netherlands plans overhaul of Box 3 wealth tax
According to the Dutch Parliament, the Netherlands will introduce a new tax system called Wet werkelijk rendement Box 3 starting January 1, 2028.
The idea is to tax investors based on the actual returns they achieve each year, rather than on assumed returns set by the government.
Under the proposed approach, authorities will compare the value of a person’s assets at the start and end of the year. Any income earned during that period will also be included in the calculation.
This means investors may be taxed on both realized gains and unrealized gains that exist only on paper.
The tax will apply to Bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies, and traditional investment products.
The reform is designed to treat different asset classes equally and apply a single consistent method across a modern portfolio.
Why the Netherlands is changing its tax model
The proposed change follows a court ruling that found the old Box 3 system unfair.
Under the previous framework, investors were taxed based on assumed returns even if their holdings did not perform in line with those assumptions.
Lawmakers say the new structure is more accurate because it is based on the real change in asset value, rather than on an estimate that might not reflect actual results.
Supporters argue the change improves fairness, especially for investors whose returns were historically overestimated by the assumed-return method.
The planned system also reflects how investment behavior has evolved. Many households now hold a mix of traditional assets and crypto, and the government appears to be moving toward rules that apply consistently across both categories.
How unrealized gains will be taxed each year
Under the new rules, the state will calculate a person’s annual investment result by comparing asset values at the beginning and end of the year, plus any income earned during that period.
A flat tax of 36% will apply to positive net returns above an annual threshold of €1,800 per person.
In short, the tax will be tied to annual performance rather than transactions.
This means an investor could owe tax if their portfolio increases in value even if they have not sold any assets and do not receive cash from their holdings.
If an investor records a loss, that loss can be carried forward and used to offset future gains.
That gives investors some protection in down years, although the timing mismatch between paper gains and cash flow remains a concern for some.
What the reform could mean for Bitcoin and crypto holders
For crypto investors, volatility is the biggest challenge. Bitcoin and other digital assets can rise sharply in value and then fall just as quickly.
A value increase at year-end could trigger a tax bill even if the investor has not sold any crypto and therefore has no cash available to pay the tax.
Critics warn this could create liquidity pressure, particularly for long-term holders who do not want to sell their Bitcoin solely to cover tax liabilities.
Some fear it may also push investors and crypto businesses to relocate if the system becomes too costly or administratively burdensome.
With the Box 3 reform set for 2028, the Netherlands is preparing a significant shift in investor taxation, and crypto holders may soon face annual tax calculations tied to market movements rather than to decisions to sell.