Income tax - capital gains on securities

Verified 06 June 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Your tax domicile is in France and you have made a gain by selling a security (a share or a bond for example)? You have to pay a tax on that capital gain the year after the sale. We'll tell you what you need to know.

If you made a profit by selling a title (for example, a share or obligation) that you own, you are taxable on gain made.

Some capital gains are exempt, subject to conditions, in particular in the following cases:

The taxable capital gain is the gain you make by selling a financial security (we're talking about assignment for consideration).

That's the difference between:

  • Purchase price of the security
  • Sale price of the security

If you realize a loss, we're talking about loss of value.

Example :

In 2023, you sold "A" securities that enabled you to gain €3,000, and "B" titles that caused you to lose €4,000.

You are therefore subject to a loss of €1,000 (€3,000 - €4,000).

The loss may be deducted from a gain of the same nature, under certain conditions.

In general, the financial institution that manages your securities calculates your capital gains and losses.

He's handing you the summary of your situation to complete your tax return.

The capital gain realized shall be subject to the single flat-rate levy at the rate of 30% (12.8% income tax and 17.2% of social security contributions).

However, you can choose progressive income tax schedule.

The taxable capital gain must then be added to your other income on your tax return.

The overall amount is then subject to the progressive scale.

You will also have to pay the 17.2% of social security contributions.

If you choose to apply the progressive scale and you have acquired the securities before 1er january 2018, you can benefit from a abatement for the duration of detention.

In this case, your taxable capital gain will be reduced by value of the reduction.

On the other hand, social security contributions will apply to the entire capital gain, including the deduction.

You must declare your earnings with revenues from the year you made the sale of the title.

Generally, the financial institution that holds your securities will give you the summary of your situation to complete your tax return.

You can refer to the supporting documents submitted by the financial institutions (form 2561 TER):

Summary declaration of transactions in transferable securities and income from movable capital

The 2024 income tax return for 2023 is complete.

The 2025 2024 Income Tax Return will begin in april 2025.

Tax returns via Internet is required if your principal residence is equipped with internet access and you are able to file your return online.

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