Crowdfunding · FR

Crowdfunding and tax: the rules in four countries

Whether you pay tax on crowdfunding depends on your country and your situation. In the Netherlands, money you receive with nothing in return falls under gift tax, with an exemption of €2,769 per donor per year in 2026. Belgium, France and Spain have their own rules on gifts. This article sets them out based on official sources; it’s general information, not personal advice.

By the DonoLink team · Checked on 14 October 2026

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First: donation, reward or investment?

Tax rules depend on what is given in return. With donation crowdfunding people give with nothing in return, which is what you do on DonoLink. With reward crowdfunding the giver gets a product or service back, which looks more like a sale. With investment crowdfunding the giver receives shares, bonds or a loan with interest.

That last form falls under European rules: Regulation (EU) 2020/1503 covers crowdfunding through loans and securities for businesses. Donation crowdfunding is not covered by it. The Dutch financial markets authority AFM does not supervise donation and reward crowdfunding, and according to Belgium’s FSMA, funding through donations falls outside the European regulation.

The Netherlands: gift tax and good records

If you receive money through crowdfunding in the Netherlands, the Dutch Tax Administration treats each donation as a separate gift. If the total from one donor in a year stays below the exemption, you pay no gift tax on it. In 2026 the exemption is €2,769. If one donor goes above it, you file a return before 1 March of the following year and pay gift tax on the amount above the exemption. Gifts from partners count together as one donor.

The tax administration asks for a record of each gift: the amount, the date and the donor’s name and bank account number. Without those details, it may treat all donations as a single gift, with the exemption applied only once. Your DonoLink dashboard shows the date and amount of every donation. Keep that overview, and for large amounts from one person, record the donor’s details yourself.

For foundations and associations: if the organisation receives more than €2,769 in total from one donor in 2026, it must file a gift tax return. A public benefit organisation (ANBI) or a social interest organisation (SBBI), such as a sports club or choir that meets the conditions, can be exempt; an SBBI claims the exemption in its return. Gifts to an SBBI itself are not tax-deductible for the donor.

Belgium: gifts, registration and tax certificates

In Flanders, registration is not mandatory for a gift of movable property, such as a sum of money handed over or transferred through the bank. Gift tax is only due if such a gift is registered. Brussels and Wallonia have their own gift tax rules.

In Belgium, donors only get a tax reduction if the gift goes to a recognised institution. According to the Federal Public Service Finance, the reduction is 30% for gifts made since 1 January 2025, with a minimum of €40 per year per institution. The gift must be personal, not the proceeds of a collective fundraiser, and the institution issues a tax certificate. DonoLink does not issue tax certificates.

France: the don manuel and gifts to associations

In France, a gift of money without a deed is called a don manuel. According to Service-Public.fr, anyone who receives such a gift must inform the tax authorities, even if no tax is due. You do this online through your personal space on impots.gouv.fr. If your cagnotte collects money from many different people, ask your local tax office how best to declare it.

If you give to an association of general interest yourself, you’re entitled to a tax reduction of 66% of the amount, up to 20% of your taxable income. For organisations that help people in difficulty with meals, care or housing, the rate is 75%, up to a cap. The association provides a receipt for this; DonoLink doesn’t.

Spain: the Impuesto sobre Sucesiones y Donaciones

In Spain, money a person receives with nothing in return falls under the Impuesto sobre Sucesiones y Donaciones, the inheritance and gift tax. Under Law 29/1987, acquiring something by gift is taxable and the recipient, the donatario, pays the tax. Legal entities, such as associations, are not subject to this tax; they fall under corporate income tax. The autonomous communities can apply their own reductions and allowances, so the outcome depends on your region.

If you donate to an organisation covered by Law 49/2002, you get a deduction in Spanish income tax. For 2025 that’s 80% on the first €250 and 40% on the rest, or 45% on the part above €250 if you’ve given the same amount or more to the same organisation three years in a row. Ask the organisation for proof of your gift; DonoLink doesn’t issue such documents.

What DonoLink does and doesn’t do for you

DonoLink processes donations through Stripe and shows an overview of all donations with their date and amount in your dashboard. DonoLink keeps 3.5% of each donation. DonoLink doesn’t issue tax certificates, receipts or other proof of gifts and doesn’t give tax advice. If you’re unsure about your situation, for example because you’re raising a lot of money or using the proceeds for your business, contact your tax authority or an adviser.

What goes into your campaign

A DonoLink campaign is a page of its own with a title, a one-line summary of what it’s about, a goal and an end date. At the top you add a cover photo or a YouTube video, followed by your story and a gallery of up to six photos. You pick an accent colour and the amounts you suggest to donors. Visitors can see at a glance how much has been raised, what share of the goal that is, how many people have chipped in and how many days are left.

Along the way you post updates with a title, text and an optional photo, so everyone can see what the money is doing. The supporters’ wall shows who donated, by name or as ‘Anonymous’, together with their message. You decide whether amounts are shown and whether anonymous donations are allowed. You can share your campaign on WhatsApp, with a link to copy or with a QR code for a poster or flyer. All your campaigns sit together on your profile page.

Keep-it-all: every donation reaches you

With DonoLink, every successful donation comes through, even if you don’t reach your goal. After the end date the campaign closes to new donations, but the page stays online so everyone can look back at what you achieved together. Payouts go through your own connected Stripe account; Stripe asks you to verify your identity.

This is always donation crowdfunding. Donors don’t get a return, shares or a loan repayment, and there are no rewards or perks. People who give are simply backing your cause.

Linky helps you get started

When you sign up, Linky, DonoLink’s mascot, asks what you want to do and who you’re raising money for. Then you set up your first campaign together with a title, a goal and an end date. During the campaign Linky gives you a shout at milestones, such as your first donation or reaching half your goal, and a gentle nudge if you haven’t posted an update for a week. That makes crowdfunding easy, even if you’ve never run a fundraiser before.

Payments and fees in your country

If you run your campaign in France, use donolink.fr. Your donors pay by bank card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. DonoLink keeps 3.5% of each donation; Stripe charges its processing fees separately. For a standard card from the European Economic Area, Stripe's public rate is 1.5% + €0.25, and other cards cost more. From a €25 donation with a standard card you keep about €23.49. There is no subscription, and DonoLink never asks your donors for a tip.

Frequently asked questions

Is crowdfunding tax-free?

Not automatically. In the Netherlands you pay no gift tax as long as the total per donor in a year stays below the exemption, €2,769 in 2026. Belgium, France and Spain have different rules; read the section about your country.

Is crowdfunding money a gift?

With donation crowdfunding people give with nothing in return, and the Dutch Tax Administration treats each donation as a separate gift. If the giver gets something back, such as a product, it is no longer an ordinary gift.

Do I have to declare crowdfunding money?

That depends on your country and the amounts. In the Netherlands you file a gift tax return if one donor gives more than the exemption in a year. In France, anyone who receives a don manuel must report it to the tax authorities. If in doubt, check with your tax authority.

Can donors deduct their gift?

Only for gifts to organisations that are recognised for this purpose, such as an ANBI in the Netherlands, a recognised institution in Belgium, an association of general interest in France or an organisation covered by Law 49/2002 in Spain. A gift to a personal campaign is not deductible.

How much does crowdfunding with DonoLink cost?

Creating an account and a campaign is free. DonoLink keeps 3.5% of each donation. Stripe also charges transaction fees that depend on the payment method; the details for your country are on this page. There is no subscription, and DonoLink never asks your donors for a tip.

Do I get the money if I don’t reach my goal?

Yes. Every successful donation comes through, whether or not you hit your goal. After the end date no more donations can be made and the page stays visible.

Can I offer rewards or a return?

No. DonoLink is for donation crowdfunding only: no rewards, no pre-orders and no returns. Donors give voluntarily, without getting anything in return.

Do donors need an account?

No. They open your campaign link, choose an amount and pay. They can leave a name and message for the supporters’ wall, or donate anonymously if you allow it.