<p>As tax season intensifies, the <strong>French government</strong> is setting its sights on hidden assets, particularly cryptocurrencies, as reported by Les Échos. Thomas Cazenave, the Minister of Public Accounts, has confirmed that future audits will be more thorough.</p><p>Currently, only capital gains and accounts held abroad are required to be declared. Cryptocurrencies stored in various ways, including self-hosted wallets, are not visible to the state.</p>

Discrepancy in Crypto Declarations

Despite this, the tax authorities believe that many French citizens are concealing their real cryptocurrency holdings. The European Central Bank estimates that about 5 million French people use crypto-assets, but only 150,000 declarations have been made.

Les Échos

<p>With only 3% of cryptocurrency holders officially declaring their assets, the situation poses a challenge for the tax authorities. Cazenave believes it is essential to enhance the oversight capabilities of the fiscal administration akin to those concerning foreign accounts, including extending the statute of limitations for tax collection, control measures, and penalties.</p><h2>The Importance of Declaring Cryptocurrency Assets</h2><p>Failing to declare cryptocurrency assets can lead to severe financial penalties, with taxes potentially increased by 40%. Moreover, the fiscal administration has the authority to audit up to three years in the past (compared to ten years for foreign-held accounts). This move is part of a broader trend towards increased transparency and regulation in the cryptocurrency space.</p>

Bitcoin’s Legal Status and Risk

The persistent question of how to categorize Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies—whether as digital cash that can be stored in personal wallets and exchanged freely, or as assets that require more comprehensive tracking and reporting—is increasingly relevant as governments seek greater transparency.

French Ministry of Public Accounts

<h2>European Response to Cryptocurrency Regulation</h2><p>The European Parliament has already taken significant steps in addressing these concerns. Service providers handling digital assets will soon need to collect and report transaction data to regulatory authorities if deemed suspicious. Additionally, anonymous cryptocurrencies will soon be excluded from centralized exchange platforms. This shift indicates a strong move towards tighter regulation both in France and across the European Union.</p>