Is Crypto Income Taxable in France 2025? Your Complete Tax Guide

As cryptocurrency adoption grows in France, understanding tax obligations becomes crucial. The short answer is yes, crypto income remains fully taxable in France for 2025. This guide breaks down France’s crypto tax framework, covering capital gains, mining, staking, reporting rules, and penalties. Updated for 2025 projections based on current legislation, we’ll help you stay compliant while navigating the evolving crypto landscape.

How France Taxes Cryptocurrency in 2025

France treats cryptocurrency as movable property rather than currency. The tax framework established in 2014 (Article 150 VH bis of the Tax Code) continues to apply in 2025 with these key principles:

• Flat Tax Rate: Most crypto gains are taxed at 30% (12.8% income tax + 17.2% social contributions)
• Activity-Based Classification: Taxes vary based on whether activities are deemed occasional or professional
• Annual Reporting: All transactions must be declared via Form 2086 and standard income tax returns
• No Wealth Tax: Crypto holdings aren’t subject to France’s Impôt sur la Fortune Immobilière (IFI)

Note: While 2025 rules mirror current policies, always verify updates from the Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP).

Types of Crypto Income and Tax Treatment in 2025

1. Capital Gains from Trading/Investing

• Tax Rate: 30% flat tax on net gains (after deducting acquisition costs)
• Calculation: FIFO (First-In-First-Out) method mandatory for cost basis
• Exemption: Gains under €305 per year are tax-free (adjusted annually for inflation)

2. Mining and Staking Rewards

• Tax Trigger: Rewards taxed upon receipt at fair market value
• Rate: 30% flat tax as non-commercial profits (BNC)
• Deductions: Equipment/electricity costs may offset income

3. Crypto Received as Payment

• Treated as barter transactions: Taxed as capital gains when coins are later sold
• Value = crypto’s market price at time of receipt

4. Airdrops and Hard Forks

• Taxable as miscellaneous income at 30% upon receipt
• Exception: Tokens received before mainnet launch may defer taxation

5. Professional Crypto Activities

• Applies to frequent traders/miners operating as businesses
• Taxed under industrial/commercial profits (BIC) at progressive income tax rates (up to 45%) + social charges

Calculating and Reporting Crypto Taxes: 2025 Requirements

1. Track All Transactions: Log dates, values (in EUR), and purposes (buy/sell/trade) for every crypto event
2. Calculate Gains/Losses: Apply FIFO method to determine cost basis for disposals
3. Complete Form 2086: Attach this supplementary form to your annual tax return detailing:
   • Total acquisition and disposal values
   • Net taxable gains
   • Exempt transactions under €305 threshold
4. File by Deadline: Submit via impots.gouv.fr by late May/early June 2026 (for 2025 income)

Tip: Use certified crypto tax software like Koinly or Accointing compatible with French FIFO rules.

Deadlines and Penalties for Non-Compliance

• Filing Deadline: Typically May-June following the tax year
• Late Filing Penalties: 10% of owed tax + 0.20% monthly interest
• Undisclosed Income Fines: Up to 80% of evaded tax + criminal charges for deliberate fraud
• Record Keeping: Maintain transaction logs for 6 years post-filing

The French Tax Authority (DGFiP) uses blockchain analytics tools like Chainalysis to detect unreported crypto activity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Do I pay tax if I hold crypto without selling?

No tax applies to unsold holdings. Taxation triggers only upon disposal (selling, trading, spending) or receiving rewards.

2. Are DeFi yields and liquidity mining taxable?

Yes. Yield farming rewards are taxed as miscellaneous income at 30% upon receipt, similar to staking.

3. Can I offset crypto losses against gains?

Yes. Net losses can be carried forward 10 years to offset future crypto gains, but not against other income types.

4. How does France tax NFT transactions?

NFT sales follow standard capital gains rules. Creator royalties are taxed as BNC income at 30%.

5. Is peer-to-peer crypto trading reportable?

Absolutely. All disposals—including P2P trades—require declaration. The €305 exemption applies to net gains, not transaction volume.

Final Tip: Consult a French crypto-tax specialist before filing, especially for complex cases like DAO participation or cross-border transactions. Staying compliant ensures you avoid penalties while participating in France’s growing crypto economy.