TechFlow News, February 26: According to DL News, Dutch Finance Minister Eelco Heinen announced plans to revise the controversial Dutch tax law on unrealized gains from digital assets. The bill, approved by the Dutch House of Representatives on February 12, would have imposed a 36% tax on the appreciation in value of cryptocurrencies held by Dutch citizens—even if those assets had not yet been sold.
In an interview with RTL Nieuws, Heinen acknowledged: “This law cannot pass as it stands. Something has gone wrong here, and the current law needs to be amended.” The policy—dubbed the “Box 3 Actual Return Bill”—has drawn intense criticism primarily because taxpayers could face massive tax bills if asset values rise one year but plummet the next—even if they ultimately incur a loss.
The bill still requires approval by the Dutch Senate and is scheduled to take effect no earlier than January 1, 2028. Heinen stated he has already discussed the matter with the State Secretary and plans to “rework the proposal and engage in discussions with both the House of Representatives and the Senate on how to amend the bill.”
