Crypto-Asset Taxation in France — Article 150 VH bis

For a private individual who occasionally disposes of crypto-assets (actifs numériques), the capital gain (plus-value) falls under article 150 VH bis of the CGI (Code général des impôts) and is subject to the single flat-rate withholding tax (prélèvement forfaitaire unique/PFU, "flat tax"): 12,8 % income tax (impôt sur le revenu) + 18,6 % social levies (prélèvements sociaux) = 31,4 % (previously 30 %; the increase in the CSG stems from LOI n° 2025-1403 du 30 décembre 2025). You may opt for the progressive income-tax scale (barème progressif) (modification of article 200 A); since the Finance Act 2026 (loi n° 2026-103 du 19 février 2026), this election is no longer irrevocable and may be exercised year by year. Social levies (prélèvements sociaux) remain due in all cases.

No. As long as you remain within the crypto universe, a crypto-to-crypto exchange without cash boot (soulte) (e.g. converting Bitcoin into Ether) benefits from a tax deferral (sursis d'imposition) under article 150 VH bis: the transaction is not taxable and must not be entered on form 2086. Tax only becomes due at the moment of conversion into legal tender (euro / fiat) or payment for a good or service. This is a major difference from other countries (e.g. Germany), where each exchange is a taxable event.

If the total taxable disposal proceeds (prix de cession) of the entire tax household (foyer fiscal) during the year (excluding deferred-tax exchanges) do not exceed 305 €, capital gains are not taxed. Note: the threshold applies to total disposal proceeds (prix de cession), not the amount of the gain. Even below this threshold, form 2086 must still be completed (disposal proceeds, fees, cash boot) — simply without calculating a taxable capital gain.

The FIFO method is not used. Instead, the capital gain (plus-value) for each disposal is calculated using the global-portfolio formula (formule du portefeuille global): capital gain = disposal proceeds (prix de cession) − [total portfolio acquisition cost × (disposal proceeds ÷ total portfolio value at time of disposal)]. The allocable acquisition cost (quote-part d'acquisition) is therefore proportional to the share of the portfolio disposed of. The detailed calculation is entered on form 2086, one line per taxable disposal.

When the buying and selling of crypto-assets is carried out on a habitual / professional basis, it has fallen under the regime of non-commercial profits (bénéfices non commerciaux/BNC) since 1 January 2023 (previously: BIC). Income is then taxed at the progressive rate in the BNC category, and no longer under the PFU for occasional capital gains of article 150 VH bis.

Each taxable disposal is declared on form 2086, whose result (overall annual capital gain or loss) is carried over to form 2042-C. If you hold crypto-asset accounts with platforms established abroad, you must also declare them on form 3916-bis.