As an entrepreneur, have you invested in crypto alongside your business? Then it is important to know how to handle this in your income tax return. The question "crypto assets: business or private?" is essential to answer correctly. Especially towards 2026, there will be changes in how the Dutch Tax Authority handles crypto. In fact, the matter of Crypto assets in 2025/2026: business or private will become increasingly relevant as tax regulations update.

In this blog, we clearly explain what to watch out for and how to avoid mistakes when reporting crypto assets as business or private. The question "crypto assets: business or private?" remains central. Crypto assets in 2025/2026: business or private must be considered carefully for accurate reporting.

? First determine: business or private?

The most important question is simple: does your crypto belong to your business or your private assets? When reporting crypto assets, you decide whether it is business or private. This directly determines which tax box your crypto falls into and how much tax you pay.

? Crypto as business assets (box 1)

Do you use money from your business to invest in crypto? Or is crypto part of your normal business activities? Then your crypto falls under business assets, which is relevant when considering whether to report crypto assets as business or private.

This is, for example, the case if you invest from your business account or if your customers pay you in crypto for your services. In the latter case, you must immediately convert the received crypto into euros. That amount counts as revenue for your business. This prevents confusion about reporting crypto assets as business or private.

Crypto that belongs to your business is recorded on your balance sheet and valued at cost or lower market value
and is included in your profit. If you sell or exchange crypto with a gain or loss, you record this in your profit and loss statement for correct reporting of crypto assets as business or private.

? You pay tax on this in box 1, depending on whether the crypto assets are reported as business or private.

? Crypto as private assets (box 3)

If you buy crypto not through your business and it is outside your normal business activities, then your crypto belongs to your private assets. In that case, you report the value of your crypto in box 3.

You enter the value on the reference date of January 1 of the tax year at 00:00, where the question of reporting crypto assets as business or private can also be important. For Crypto assets in 2025/2026: business or private, correct reporting is crucial for the right tax treatment.

For 2025, there is a tax-free allowance of €57,684 or €115,368 with a fiscal partner. If you exceed this amount, you pay tax on your assets, so it is important to correctly determine whether crypto assets are reported as business or private.

? Tax return is clearer

It is good to know that crypto is now reported separately in the tax return. When it comes to crypto assets, reporting as business or private is more structured. You report crypto under bank accounts and other assets. This makes filing clearer and helps prevent mistakes.

? Dutch Tax Authority gains more insight from 2026

From tax year 2026, the Dutch Tax Authority will automatically receive data from crypto platforms through new European regulations (DAC8). Reporting crypto assets as business or private will become more transparent.

This means that transactions and balances are shared, and tax authorities across Europe exchange information
increasing scrutiny on crypto. This can affect your crypto assets, so it is important to correctly report them as business or private.

It is important to know that the content of your tax return itself does not change. However, the likelihood of discrepancies being noticed increases, so whether your crypto assets are reported as business or private requires even more attention. In short, Crypto assets in 2025/2026: business or private are crucial for your tax strategy in the coming years.

?? Common mistakes

In practice, we often see entrepreneurs make the mistake of always treating crypto as private when it is business
or, conversely, failing to record revenue when receiving payments in crypto, or using incorrect values. This can lead to corrections and sometimes fines, especially if crypto assets are not correctly reported as business or private.

? What does this mean for you?

If you have crypto as an entrepreneur, it is essential to determine in advance where the assets belong. Correctly reporting whether your crypto assets are business or private prevents disputes later and ensures you do not pay too much tax or risk issues with the Dutch Tax Authority.

Are you unsure whether your crypto belongs in box 1 or box 3? Or do you want to be certain your tax return is correct regarding crypto assets as business or private? Additionally, the topic Crypto assets in 2025/2026: business or private deserves extra attention in the current climate.

Feel free to contact Luca Book. As an accounting firm in The Hague, we help entrepreneurs with both their business and private tax returns related to crypto assets. After all: the question "crypto assets: business or private?" determines your tax position.