{"id":1848,"date":"2026-05-01T12:19:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T10:19:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/balmontconseil.com\/?p=1848"},"modified":"2026-08-26T18:45:32","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T16:45:32","slug":"combien-coute-lexit-tax-3-exemples-chiffres-selon-la-valorisation-des-titres","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/balmontconseil.com\/en\/blog\/combien-coute-lexit-tax-3-exemples-chiffres-selon-la-valorisation-des-titres\/","title":{"rendered":"How much does the exit tax cost? 3 numerical examples based on share valuation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In summary\u2026<\/h2>\n

The theoretical cost of the exit tax is equivalent to 30 % of the unrealized capital gain on the securities on the day of departure (12.8 % of income tax and 17.2 % of social security contributions), in application of the single flat-rate levy. \n
For an unrealized capital gain of \u20ac1 million, the theoretical exit tax amounts to \u20ac300,000. For \u20ac5 million, it is \u20ac1.5 million. For \u20ac10 million, it is \u20ac3 million. However, the actual cost borne by the taxpayer may be zero if a deferral of payment is obtained and maintained until the expiry of the scheme (fifteen years for securities not sold). \n
The actual cost of the operation therefore depends less on the rate than on the subsequent divestment strategy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

How much is the exit tax? The basic calculation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Exit tax = (market value of securities on the date of departure \u2212 acquisition price) \u00d7 30 %. The result is called the theoretical exit tax. It becomes the effective exit tax only in three cases: sale of securities before the end of the deferral period, early return to France, or failure to file a tax return. Otherwise, it is released after fifteen years for the securities retained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three numerical examples<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We have identified 3 cases of Exit tax simulations<\/a> figures to put things into perspective. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Case 1 \u2014 Founding director of an industrial SME (Lyon)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Acquisition price (company founded in 2008)<\/strong><\/td>5 000 \u20ac<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Market value on the day of departure (2026)<\/strong><\/td>3 200 000 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
Unrealized capital gain<\/strong><\/td>3 195 000 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
Theoretical exit tax (30 %)<\/strong><\/td>958 500 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
Actual cost if the stay of execution is maintained and the securities are held for 15 years<\/strong><\/td>0 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here we observe the potential financial impact of a Exit Tax<\/a><\/strong> in the context of an expatriation, taking the example of securities acquired in 2008 for \u20ac5,000 and whose market value is estimated at \u20ac3,200,000 on the day of departure in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. High unrealized capital gain:<\/strong> The difference between the purchase price (\u20ac5,000) and the market value (\u20ac3,200,000) generates a very significant unrealized capital gain. 3 195 000 \u20ac<\/strong>. It is on this capital gain that the Exit Tax is calculated.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Theoretical Exit Tax:<\/strong> At the theoretical rate of 30% (including income tax and social security contributions), the Exit Tax would amount to 958 500 \u20ac<\/strong>. This sum is, in principle, deferred payment at the time of expatriation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Potential effective cost of \u20ac0:<\/strong> The key point is the line item "Effective cost if deferral maintained and securities held for 15 years". If the deferral of payment is maintained and the securities are held for the period required by French law (currently 2 years for capital gains under \u20ac2.57 million, but historically 8 or 15 years for larger capital gains, as the table suggests), the Exit Tax may be fully tax-exempt<\/strong>. This means that, provided the conditions for holding the securities are met and the securities are not sold before the expiry of the deferral\/relief period (or the carry-forward and offset mechanisms are applied in the event of a sale after departure), the final tax cost at the time of departure is 0 \u20ac<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The importance of the payment deferral in the Exit Tax mechanism is therefore clear. Although the theoretical tax is substantial (\u20ac958,500), the mechanism avoids immediate payment and, provided the securities are retained, allows for the total cancellation of the tax debt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Case 2 \u2014 Tech executive selling his first company (Paris)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
    Acquisition price of holding company reinvestment<\/strong><\/td>200 000 \u20ac<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
    Market value on the day of departure<\/strong><\/td>12 000 000 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
    Unrealized capital gain<\/strong><\/td>11 800 000 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
    Theoretical exit tax (30 %)<\/strong><\/td>3 540 000 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
    Actual cost if sold within 8 years of departure<\/strong><\/td>\u20ac3,540,000 owed<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    In this case, we see the theoretical calculation of the "Exit Tax" for the expatriation of a taxpayer holding holding company shares.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Taking into account the elements listed here, and based on a theoretical rate of 30 % (including income tax and social security contributions), the theoretical Exit Tax amounts to \u20ac3,540,000 (\u20ac11,800,000 x 30 %).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This amount of \u20ac3,540,000 corresponds to the effective cost if the shares are sold within eight years of departure, meaning that the Exit Tax would be due if the shares were sold within eight years of transferring tax residence abroad. Generally, this payment is deferred (suspended) if the taxpayer moves to a country within the European Union or a country that has signed an administrative assistance agreement with France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Case 3 \u2014 Investor with a diversified portfolio (unlisted and listed securities)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    Cumulative portfolio acquisition cost<\/strong><\/td>350 000 \u20ac<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
    Market value on the day of departure<\/strong><\/td>1 500 000 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
    Unrealized capital gain<\/strong><\/td>1 150 000 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
    Theoretical exit tax (30 %)<\/strong><\/td>345 000 \u20ac<\/td><\/tr>
    Actual cost after progressive tax relief (released security by security)<\/strong><\/td>to be modeled on a case-by-case basis<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Never consider the theoretical amount of the Exit Tax as the actual cost.<\/strong> The crucial advice is to systematize a detailed and customized modeling<\/strong> of the impact of the Exit Tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n