This archive explains the French individual reporting approach used in the original 2024 guide. Its deadlines and illustrative 30% tax rate belong to that historical context. For a current return, check the rules and rates for the relevant year rather than reusing an old example.
Identify the taxpayer and the transaction
The guide concerns management of an individual's private portfolio. A company's transactions and professional activities require a different analysis. Distinguish the disposal of an asset, an exchange, a payment for goods or services and a transfer between accounts owned by the same person.
A taxable disposal can occur when crypto is exchanged for conventional currency or used to pay for a purchase. Waiting until euros are withdrawn from an exchange to a bank is not a reliable way to identify the taxable event.
Foreign accounts and gains are separate reporting questions
The original guide discusses the foreign-account declaration, form 3916-3916 bis, and the capital-gains computation on form 2086 with the relevant return entries. Whether a platform account is abroad depends on the actual contracting entity and arrangements, not merely the brand name.
A self-controlled wallet and an account with a custodian are not the same arrangement. Keep ownership and platform evidence, including accounts opened or closed during the period. Determine obligations for the taxpayer and year concerned.
Correcting the €305 threshold
The threshold concerns the annual total of relevant disposal prices, not the amount of capital gains. The earlier wording that referred to gains exceeding €305 was incorrect. The tax authority distinguishes this exemption from the computation of taxable gains. Official reporting guidance.
The original example used a 30% combined rate. That figure must not be presented as a current universal rate. A progressive income-tax election also needs an assessment of the actual taxpayer's position.
The historical example: reconstructing the portfolio
Antoine originally invested €8,000 to buy one bitcoin. He then exchanged 0.5 BTC for 14 ETH, and five ETH for 30 SOL. The example assumes exchanges without balancing cash payments and omits fees for simplicity.
Before his first sale for euros, his portfolio contains 0.5 BTC, nine ETH and 30 SOL. Assume the entire portfolio is worth €45,000 and he sells the 0.5 BTC for €20,000.
The example allocates the remaining acquisition capital in proportion to the disposal: €8,000 × €20,000 / €45,000 = approximately €3,555.56. The illustrative gain is therefore approximately €16,444.44.
Before the second sale, the remaining portfolio is assumed to be worth €23,000. Antoine sells seven ETH for €15,000. Remaining acquisition capital is approximately €4,444.44; the allocated amount is €4,444.44 × €15,000 / €23,000 = approximately €2,898.55. The illustrative gain is approximately €12,101.45.
| Transaction | Proceeds | Allocated acquisition capital | Illustrative gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| First disposal | €20,000 | €3,555.56 | €16,444.44 |
| Second disposal | €15,000 | €2,898.55 | €12,101.45 |
The combined result is approximately €28,545.89 before return-specific rounding. The earlier rounded figures illustrate the same mechanism but should not be copied as a completed tax return. The example depends on the assumed complete portfolio, absence of other acquisitions and omitted fees.
Why complete records matter
The calculation requires the value of the whole relevant portfolio at each disposal, not just the price of the asset being sold. Missing wallets, repeated imports or an internal transfer classified as a sale can distort the result.
Keep the original exports and document valuation sources. Software can help process large histories, but the user must still review ownership, completeness and transaction classification. A tool's output is not evidence that every tax question has been resolved.
Frequently asked questions
Does every wallet require the same declaration?
No. Identify the arrangement, provider and applicable rules. Do not treat a directly controlled wallet as automatically identical to a foreign platform account.
Does reporting an account also report the gain?
No. These are separate obligations. An account can require reporting even when no taxable gain has been realised.
Can this example be used by a company?
No. It describes an individual's private-portfolio mechanism. A company needs an analysis of its accounting and tax regime.