Written by
Sara
Category
Do you own crypto such as bitcoin, ethereum or stablecoins? Then you need to declare this in your 2024 tax return.
In this article you will read exactly how to declare cryptocurrency in Box 3, what the Dutch Tax Authority is currently doing with your data, and when you will or will not receive a final assessment.
No loose ends: we explain everything, including the provisional assessment and the form you only need to complete in 2026.
- Cryptocurrency falls in Box 3 (assets)
- You declare the value on 1 January 2024 (reference date)
- The Tax Authority is not yet sending a final assessment for 2024
- You will receive a provisional assessment (pre-filled or self-calculated)
- In 2026 you will receive a letter to declare your actual return
- Only after that will your final income tax assessment for 2024 follow
You declare your cryptocurrency as assets in Box 3 in your annual income tax return. Box 3 covers wealth such as savings, shares, investments, second homes and also digital coins.
Cryptocurrency does not fall under income from work or profit. Only if you trade on a large scale or do mining could it fall under Box 1, but that is exceptional. Feel free to ask us if you are unsure.
The Tax Authority looks at the value of your cryptocurrency on 1 January 2024. This is called the reference date. You must declare the economic value of your coins on that day. You do this:
✔️ based on the exchange rate on 1 January 2024
✔️ from the crypto platform where you hold your coins
✔️ per currency (for example bitcoin, ethereum, USDT)
Tip: always take a screenshot of your wallet or portfolio on 1 January. That is useful as proof.
Note: crypto on your own wallet (such as a Ledger or Trezor) must also be declared, at the value it had on 1 January 2024.
In 2024 there is a tax-free allowance of:
→ €57,000 if you are single
→ €114,000 if you have a fiscal partner
If your total assets (your combined wealth including savings, investments, crypto and shares) are less than this amount?
Then you pay no tax on crypto, even though you still need to declare it in Box 3.
Example:
Suppose you have €35,000 in crypto and no other assets.
Then you are below the tax-free allowance → you pay no tax, but you must still declare it.
In 2024 the Box 3 rate is 36% on your taxable return.
That return is determined as follows:
→ First the Tax Authority deducts the tax-free allowance
→ Then they calculate your (provisional) deemed return
→ On that return you pay 36% tax
In 2026 you may declare your actual return, which can turn out more favourable.
For example if your crypto has fallen in value or if you have earned almost nothing.
Suppose you have €100,000 in cryptocurrency on 1 January 2024 and no other assets.
You are single.
The calculation looks like this:
→ Total assets = €100,000
→ Tax-free allowance = €57,000
= Taxable assets → €43,000
For crypto (investments and other assets) the Tax Authority uses a deemed return of 6.04% in 2024.
→ Return = €43,000 x 6.04% = €2,597.20
→ Tax (36%) = €2,597.20 x 36% = €935 (rounded)
= In this example you pay €935 tax on your crypto.
The Tax Authority is not sending a final assessment for 2024 if you have declared crypto or other Box 3 assets. Why not?
This is due to new rules on actual return. The Supreme Court has ruled that with low returns on assets, you may no longer automatically use the deemed return. That is why the Tax Authority is waiting with the final calculation.
Until 2022, Box 3 was taxed on a deemed return: the Tax Authority assumed a standard percentage regardless of what you actually earned.
Since 2023, the Tax Authority must use your actual return if that is lower. Think of:
- interest on savings
- dividend on shares
- price gain (or loss) on crypto
- rental income from property
For crypto that means: how much your coins actually rose or fell in value during the year.
But the Tax Authority does not automatically have that data and cannot calculate it for you.
Because your actual return matters, in 2026 you will receive an invitation from the Tax Authority to declare it after all, via the form:
👉 Declaration of actual return 2024
Only after you have completed that form will you receive a final assessment for 2024.
To prevent you from:
- having to wait a long time for a tax refund
- or unexpectedly having to pay interest on tax.
The Tax Authority still sends a provisional assessment based on the known figures such as your Box 1 income or previous assets.
That provisional assessment:
- is not final
- may still change
- will later be offset against your final assessment
No, that is not yet required. You simply fill in the value of your crypto on 1 January 2024. In 2026 you will receive an invitation to declare your actual return. Then you will need to calculate your price gains and losses for 2024.
Tip: keep track now of what you earned or lost on your crypto in 2024. That will make things easier later.
1. Go to the section "Assets in Box 3"
2. Choose "Other assets" or "Cryptocurrency" (the layout may vary per year)
3. Fill in:
- type of crypto
- quantity
- value on 1 January 2024
- Done. The Tax Authority processes this in your provisional assessment
- In 2026 you will be notified about your final assessment and actual return
At Sarabel we make sure your crypto is declared correctly in your tax return, with clear explanations in plain English. No stress about rules, reference dates or forms. And when the Tax Authority asks for the actual return in 2026? We will help you with that too.
You just need to send us your wallet overview or screenshot from 1 January.
We will look together at whether you benefit from the actual return.
👉 Book a free call here
Or send us a message directly. We are happy to help.
🎯 Want to be sure you are declaring your crypto correctly? Let Sarabel help you.