🧾 Introduction
If you experienced a loss from cryptocurrency trading in previous years, you can carry it forward to reduce your taxable income in future PIT-38 filings.
This rule is one of the most useful ways to save money as an investor, allowing you to balance past losses against future profits.
💡 How the Carry-Forward Rule Works
You can carry forward losses from the past 5 tax years and use them to offset future gains of the same type (capital gains or crypto).
Two key rules apply:
- You can offset only up to 50% of the loss in any given year.
- You can only offset losses of the same type — crypto losses offset crypto gains, not stock gains.
🧮 Example: Carrying Forward a Crypto Loss
| Year | Description | PLN | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Loss from BTC sales | −20,000 | Reported in PIT-38 (Field 27) |
| 2025 | Profit from ETH sales | +10,000 | Eligible for offset |
| 2026 | Profit from BTC again | +20,000 | Continue using remaining loss |
Step 1: Apply the 50% Rule
In 2025, you can use up to 50% of your 2024 loss:
50% × 20,000 = 10,000 PLN
Since your 2025 gain = 10,000 PLN → You pay no tax this year.
The remaining 10,000 PLN can be used in future years.
Step 2: Use the Remaining Loss
In 2026, if you gain another 20,000 PLN, you can again deduct 10,000 PLN, paying tax only on the other 10,000 PLN.
Taxable base = 10,000 PLN × 19% = 1,900 PLN.
🧾 How to Declare in PIT-38
| Year | Field | Description | PLN |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 27 | Loss declared | 20,000 |
| 2025 | 27 | Carry-forward deduction (50%) | 10,000 |
| 2026 | 27 | Remaining deduction | 10,000 |
Always keep copies of your past PIT-38 forms as proof of previous losses.
⚠️ Key Notes
- Losses expire after 5 years — you can't use them afterward.
- You must declare them every year until fully used.
- You can split usage between multiple years, as long as total doesn't exceed 100%.
- The same carry-forward rules apply for stocks and ETFs (Part C) and cryptocurrencies (Part D).
✅ Final Thoughts
The loss carry-forward option is a powerful tax optimization tool. By tracking and declaring your losses properly, you can significantly reduce or eliminate future PIT-38 taxes on crypto gains.
Always keep documentation, and when in doubt, consult a licensed accountant to ensure your declarations match Polish regulations.