Tax cluster
Forfettario 2026 - Double taxation - INPS and pension - Impatriati - Partita IVA - Crypto taxes - Tax deductions
Contents
- Rules for 2026: what changed
- Rates and taxes
- What is taxed
- How to declare cryptocurrency
- Three scenarios: when the crypto was bought
- Didn’t declare before — how to legalize
- Optimization: affrancamento and loss carryforward
- Crypto cards and automatic reporting
- Real case from the community
- Conclusions
Rules for 2026: what changed
How has cryptocurrency taxation in Italy changed in 2026 — and why does this affect everyone who keeps crypto in wallets?
In 2026 Italy significantly tightened cryptocurrency taxation. Whereas before you could ignore small amounts, now everything is taxable.
Key changes for 2026
The capital gains rate has been raised from 26% to 33% (except for euro-stablecoins). The 2,000 EUR threshold has been removed — any profit is taxable. From 2027 all crypto transactions via European platforms will be automatically reported to tax authorities.
"Since 2026 the 2,000 EUR threshold was removed. Now everything is taxable. The 26% rate applies only to euro-stablecoins, all others — 33%. A 0.2% tax — even on simply held declared assets."
Rates and taxes in 2026
Legal basis: Legge 197/2022 (paragraphs 126-147), with 2026 amendments.
Holding tax (IVCA)
0.2% annually — even if nothing was sold
IVCA (Imposta sul Valore delle Cripto-Attivita) = 0.2% of the value of all crypto assets as of December 31. It’s calculated on the declared value. If you have crypto worth 100,000 EUR — you pay 200 EUR per year just for holding it. This is analogous to a property tax for digital assets.
Then vs now
| Parameter | 2023-2025 | 2026+ |
|---|---|---|
| Profit rate | 26% | 33% (26% for stablecoins) |
| Tax-free profit threshold | 2 000 EUR | 0 EUR (removed) |
| Holding tax (IVCA) | 0.2% | 0.2% |
| Automatic platform reporting | No | From 2027 (for transactions from 01.01.2026) |
What is taxed
When exactly does a tax obligation arise — on purchase, sale, exchange, or merely holding?
-
✓Selling crypto for fiat
crypto → EUR/USD = realized profit, taxed at 33%
-
✓Exchange between cryptocurrencies
BTC → ETH = also realization of profit (valued at the exchange moment)
-
✓Paying with crypto for goods/services
Considered sale of crypto at the current rate
-
✓Staking income
Staking rewards = income, taxable
-
✓Simple holding
IVCA 0.2% annually on value as of December 31
Example calculation for 2026
Bought Bitcoin for 50,000 EUR. On the sale date it’s worth 80,000 EUR. Profit = 30,000 EUR. Tax = 30,000 x 33% = 9,900 EUR. Plus IVCA for the year of holding: 80,000 x 0.2% = 160 EUR. Total: 10,060 EUR.
How to declare cryptocurrency
Where and how to report crypto in the Italian tax return?
Cryptocurrency assets are declared as part of Redditi PF (not the 730 form):
Section RW — foreign assets
Report the value of all crypto assets as of December 31 of the tax year. IVCA 0.2% is also calculated here.
Section RT — capital gains
Report realized profits from sales, exchanges, staking. Tax at 33% (or 26% for stablecoins) is calculated here.
Payment via F24
Installments in June and November, final settlement via the return. Deadline to file Redditi PF — by November 30 of the following year.
An accountant is mandatory
Crypto declaration is one of the most complex parts of Italian tax reporting. Find a commercialista who understands crypto specifically. Many Italian accountants still don’t know how this works. More on choosing an accountant — in our article about forfettario.
Three scenarios: when the crypto was bought
Does it matter whether the crypto was bought before or after moving to Italy?
Declare it in the return as initial capital (patrimonio iniziale). The tax authority can only check the period of your residency — you are not obliged to explain where the crypto came from before the move. Capital gains are calculated from the value on the date you became a resident.
Provide contracts, purchase receipts. Profit is calculated normally: sale price minus purchase price. Everything is taxed at the 2026 rates (33% / 26%).
You need supporting documents for the asset sale. If the asset was previously declared — there is no tax on the "conversion" into crypto. But upon subsequent sale of the crypto, the gain is taxed normally.
Didn’t declare before — how to legalize
What to do if you lived in Italy and held crypto but didn’t declare it — how much does legalization cost?
Ravvedimento operoso — the "repentance" procedure
The Italian tax system allows you to correct mistakes yourself with a reduced penalty. The earlier you correct, the cheaper it is. Most importantly: declared crypto is considered "cleaned" — you won’t be asked about the sources of its acquisition if you declare it as initial capital.
Example calculation of legalization
| Parameter | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto assets | 100 000 EUR | - |
| Not declared | 3 years | - |
| IVCA for 3 years | 100 000 x 0.2% x 3 | 600 EUR |
| Penalties (ravvedimento) | Reduced rate | ~805 EUR |
| Total for legalization | ~1 405 EUR |
1 405 EUR to legalize 100 000 EUR of crypto assets for 3 years. After that the entire amount is considered "clean" — you won’t be asked about sources.
"The best way is to go through the return correction procedure. The tax authority can only check the residency period, and you are not obliged to explain where your crypto came from before you became a resident. The whole amount is then considered cleaned."
Basic penalty for non-declaration (without ravvedimento)
If the tax authority finds undeclared foreign assets itself — the penalty is from 3% to 15% of the value (art. 4.5 D.L. 167/1990). For 100 000 EUR that’s 3,000–15,000 EUR — 2–10 times more than with voluntary ravvedimento.
Optimization: affrancamento and loss carryforward
Are there legal ways to reduce crypto tax in Italy in 2026?
Affrancamento — tax revaluation
How it works
Affrancamento allows you to revalue the purchase base of an asset. Example: you bought BTC for 50,000, now it’s 80,000 EUR. By applying affrancamento, you change the tax basis from 50,000 to 80,000 EUR. You pay 18% on the difference of 30,000 EUR (= 5,400 EUR). But on future sale the gain is calculated from the new base of 80,000 EUR — potentially saving much more.
"Affrancamento is not an annual opportunity, but judging by past applications — it’s a recurring instrument in Italy. It was used in 2002, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2022 (for crypto)."
Loss carryforward
Losses reduce future profit
If in 2026 you sold crypto at a loss — that loss can be used as a deduction against profits for the next 4 years. So if you lost 10,000 EUR in 2026 and earned 10,000 EUR in 2027 — the tax for 2027 will be 0 EUR.
Crypto cards and automatic reporting from 2027
Will the Italian tax authority learn about my operations via Binance Card or other crypto cards?
From 2027 — full transparency
Under the new European regulation, all crypto transactions via EU-regulated platforms will be automatically transmitted to local tax authorities. Reporting starts in 2027 for all transactions from January 1, 2026. Everything is transmitted: top-ups, buy/sell, exchanges, payments.
"Those who use European crypto cards must understand: under the latest regulation all transactions will be transmitted to local tax authorities. Top-ups, buy/sell for any currency, crypto-to-crypto exchanges, crypto payments. Transmission will occur in 2027 for all transactions from January 1, 2026."
"If you top up with crypto via an EU-regulated crypto fintech — be prepared to explain to the tax authority where your crypto came from (where it was bought) and what the sources of funds were."
Real case from the community
Do people actually pay crypto taxes in Italy in 2026 — or do they "somehow live" without doing so?
"100% I haven’t paid a single crypto tax. I’m not even sure anyone pays crypto taxes. The main problem is — I have no idea how to pay them. Laws aren’t fully written for them yet."
Why the "somehow live" approach stops working in 2026-2027
Until 2026 many indeed didn’t pay — there was no automatic reporting, and the 2,000 EUR threshold allowed ignoring small operations. From 2026-2027 everything changes: the threshold is removed, the rate rose to 33%, and from 2027 platforms will start automatically transmitting data. Legalization via ravvedimento now costs pennies — later it will be significantly more expensive.
"You cannot pay more than 5,000 EUR in cash by law. Anything more — only cashless. If you come to the bank they will ask where the cash came from. 98% of that information will go to the tax office and then there will be questions about why the crypto wasn’t declared."
Conclusions
The rate rose to 33%, the threshold was removed, and from 2027 automatic reporting begins. The window for "quiet" holding is closed.
~1,400 EUR to legalize 100,000 EUR for 3 years. Penalty on audit — 3,000–15,000 EUR. Difference 2–10x.
You don’t have to explain its origin. Declare it as patrimonio iniziale. Tax applies only to gains after the residency date.
Revaluing the tax base now at 18% can save 33% later. Discuss with your accountant before selling.
Most Italian commercialisti don’t understand crypto taxes. Look for a specialist. Mistakes here are costly.
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