Italy’s Tax Shake-Up: Capital Gains Tax on Cryptocurrency Set to Jump to 42%

As a seasoned crypto investor with a decade of experience navigating the digital asset landscape, I find Italy’s latest proposal to increase capital gains tax on cryptocurrencies from 26% to 42% both intriguing and somewhat concerning. While it’s heartening to see governments taking a more serious approach to the regulation of this burgeoning industry, it’s also crucial that these measures don’t stifle innovation or disincentivize investment.


At a recent press conference regarding the 2025 budget, Deputy Economy Minister Maurizio Leo unveiled a comprehensive plan that aims to strengthen our national budget and offer enhanced assistance to families, young individuals, and businesses.

Italian taxpayers must declare their cryptocurrency assets in their “Redditi Persone Fisiche” tax form, including any profits earned from sales or other gains such as staking rewards. Moreover, these crypto holdings should also be disclosed within the foreign financial activities section of Italy’s 730 tax form.

This new development signifies Italy’s recent change in strategy regarding digital assets. Previously, Italy imposed a 26% capital gains tax on crypto earnings surpassing €2,000 for the 2023 fiscal year. The suggested 42% tax rate (pending approval from Italian legislators) indicates that the government is moving towards stricter cryptocurrency regulation and revenue collection.

The Italian administration is fine-tuning its approach to the “web tax,” intending to scrap revenue thresholds that earlier permitted tech firms to earn up to 750,000 euros in Italy and 5 million euros worldwide before being subjected to taxation. Eliminating these ceilings should facilitate smoother tax collection from digital service providers functioning within the country.

At a World Savings Day event held on October 31st, Italy’s Economy and Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti justified the proposed tax increase on digital assets, stating their “extremely high level of risk.” This announcement is made as Italian authorities estimate that they could potentially earn approximately $18 million per year from this new tax system. Yet, not all politicians are in agreement; Giulio Centemero, a member of the Chamber of Deputies, contends that excessive crypto taxes might have unintended consequences and advocates for more discussions on this topic.

Italy’s action aligns with a broader European regulatory trend, such as the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, set to take effect in December. While MiCA primarily focuses on preventing market manipulation and regulating stablecoins rather than taxation policies, its implementation underscores the EU’s dedication to overseeing the crypto sector in a comprehensive manner.

Koinly’s Italy guide

Koinly provides a tax guide specific for Italy. As per Agenzia Entrate, the current tax rate on cryptocurrency gains in Italy stands at 26%, applicable to any profits amounting to €2,000 or more. These earnings are classified as ‘miscellaneous income.’

How much tax do you pay on crypto in Italy?

  • You’ll pay 26% Capital Gains Tax on capital gains over €2,000
  • In some cases, for example, for mining activity or the creation and sale of NFTs, you might also be required to pay income tax on any income derived from cryptocurrencies at a rate between 23% and 43%

Currently, Italy imposes a 26% capital gains tax on cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. However, they are considering significantly raising this tax to 42%, which represents an approximately 62% increase in the tax rate.

Global Crypto Tax Trends: The UK and Ireland Follow Suit

Countries like Italy aren’t the only ones rethinking cryptocurrency taxation. For instance, across the English Channel, the UK has implemented new tax laws that necessitate crypto-related income to be separately declared in their self-assessment system. Meanwhile, Ireland is expediting regulations to combat money laundering and ensure financial transparency within cryptocurrencies, with the goal of staying ahead of European Union directives.

As Italian legislators ponder over the proposed increase in taxes, it’s uncertain how this might affect investors and the overall cryptocurrency market. The developing tax regulations in Italy could serve as a guide or a warning for other countries struggling with the regulatory and financial repercussions of cryptocurrencies.

 

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2024-11-02 14:05