Dutch Tax Authorities Want Crypto Firms To Report User Transactions and Data in New Draft Bill

• The proposed rules will require firms to collect, verify, and share user data.
• The bill could make user data accessible to non-EU countries under the OECD’s crypto-reporting framework.
• The deadline for public feedback on the bill is Nov. 21, 2024.

The Dutch government has opened a public consultation on its proposed cryptocurrency laws that would establish a more “transparent” crypto tax system in the Netherlands.

Crypto Tax Proposal

As per the Netherlands Ministry of Finance’s Oct. 24 release , the new bill proposes that crypto service providers, exchanges, and platforms be required to gather and share user data with the country’s tax authority, the Belastingdienst.

This proposal aligns with the European Union’s (EU’s) latest tax reporting standards under DAC8 , which were brought into force in 2023.

These standards require EU tax agencies and authorities to gather and share service-provider data of residents with each other.

Notably, it would also make the data available to non-EU countries that are part of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF). This includes the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, South Africa, Korea, Singapore, and Japan.

The proposal explains that the bill intends to create more transparency on cryptocurrency ownership, with the intent of curbing tax avoidance and evasion.

Furthermore, it adds that “nothing will change” for crypto holders as they already have mandatory crypto tax reporting laws.

The public has just under a month to  provide feedback, with a Nov. 21, 2024, deadline for comments. The draft bill is scheduled to reach the chambers of government in 2025.

A Point of Concern?

Yes and no. Whilst many crypto-purists will say that this is yet another step toward tyranny, there is something to be said for making sure that illegal uses of crypto are deterred.

Are there any risks to crypto service providers being required to collect and report all user data to tax authorities? Speculatively, it could result in more “underground” crypto activity and potentially pose risks in the event of a security breach.

However, the fact that the Dutch authorities are seeking public input speaks volumes about their willingness to hear such concerns and develop crypto legislation accordingly.