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Why Political Pressure is Important Now
Some parties plan to abolish the one-year tax holding period for cryptocurrencies. Should this regulation be implemented, profits from the sale of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies would in the future be subject to a capital gains tax, regardless of the holding period – in addition to the solidarity surcharge.
Such a change would have far-reaching consequences:
- for private savers and investors,
- for Germany’s innovative strength,
- for the financial and technology sectors,
- as well as for Germany’s international competitiveness as a business location.
Currently, there are still different positions on this issue within the political parties. This is precisely why now is the right time to take action and make it clear to political decision-makers what consequences abolishing the holding period would have.
What can you do?
The most direct and effective way is:
Contact your Member of Parliament personally.
A polite and factual email can make a real difference. Politicians react much more strongly to personal letters from their own constituency than to general online comments or social media discussions.
How to find your Member of Parliament
The email addresses of Members of Parliament usually follow this pattern:
vorname.nachname@bundestag.de
Example: lars.klingbeil@bundestag.de
If you don’t know who represents your constituency in the Bundestag, you can find out at https://bundestag.de/abgeordnete – you can simply search by your postcode there.
Drafting aids for your email
The following text modules are intended to help you formulate your personal message.
Important:
- Remain factual and polite.
- Personal arguments are often the most impactful.
- The text modules are only suggestions. Adapt them to your needs.
1. Friendly Introduction
Option 1
Dear Mr./Ms. [Name],
I am writing to you today as a citizen of your constituency. I am concerned about the discussions regarding a possible abolition of the tax holding period for cryptocurrencies.
Option 2
Dear Mr./Ms. [Name],
As a long-term saver and investor, I would like to express my concerns regarding the planned changes to the taxation of cryptocurrencies.
Option 3
Dear Mr./Ms. [Name],
I ask you to advocate against the abolition of the tax holding period for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
2. Personal Impact
For long-term Bitcoin savers
Many people today use Bitcoin not for speculation, but as a long-term savings plan and for private wealth accumulation. The abolition of the holding period would particularly affect small and regular savers.
For young people
Young people in particular are increasingly using Bitcoin as a long-term form of private provision. An additional tax burden would particularly affect younger generations, who are already facing rising living costs and uncertainty regarding retirement provisions.
For families and private individuals
The existing holding period creates an incentive for long-term and responsible investing. Its abolition would financially burden many private investors and make long-term planning more difficult.
3. Innovation and Germany as a Business Location
Option 1
Germany should promote innovative technologies and digital financial markets instead of creating additional hurdles. A tightening of taxation could drive companies, startups, and investors abroad.
Option 2
Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies are part of a growing international technology sector. Germany risks falling further behind in innovation and digital financial technologies.
Option 3
Instead of introducing new tax burdens, Germany should create attractive regulatory frameworks to promote innovation, investment, and technological development in the country.
4. Comparison with Austria
Option 1
Similar tax changes were also introduced in Austria. However, actual tax revenues reportedly fell significantly short of initial expectations.
Option 2
Experiences from other countries show that higher tax burdens in the crypto sector do not automatically lead to higher tax revenues. Investors and companies often simply shift their activities to other countries.
Option 3
International competition for innovative companies and investors is increasing. Germany should avoid creating conditions that cause capital, talent, and companies to migrate abroad.
5. Problems with using Bitcoin as a means of payment
Option 1
If every single payment with Bitcoin were to become tax-relevant, this would significantly complicate the practical use of Bitcoin in everyday life.
Option 2
If even small payments with cryptocurrencies have to be documented and calculated for tax purposes, this creates a considerable bureaucratic burden for citizens and companies.
Option 3
The abolition of the holding period would effectively make the use of Bitcoin as a means of payment unattractive, as every transaction would potentially have tax consequences.
6. Bureaucracy and Burden for Businesses
Option 1
More complex taxation would not only affect citizens but also burden banks, brokers, and trading platforms with significant additional documentation and administrative obligations.
Option 2
The technical and tax recording of all crypto transactions would cause high costs and considerable bureaucratic effort – both for companies and for the tax administration itself.
Option 3
Smaller companies and startups, in particular, would be disproportionately burdened by additional regulatory requirements.
7. Personal Risk for Investors
Option 1
Investments in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies already involve considerable risks. Investors invest their already taxed income and bear all price risks themselves.
Option 2
Especially with highly volatile asset classes, private investors bear a high risk of loss. Many citizens find it unfair that a significant portion of profits should also be taxed in case of success.
8. Concluding Appeal
Option 1
I therefore ask you to advocate for the preservation of the tax holding period within your parliamentary group and in the German Bundestag.
Option 2
Please help keep Germany an attractive location for digital technologies and long-term investments.
Option 3
I would be very pleased if you would bring the concerns of affected citizens and investors into the political discussions.
Every voice counts
Every personal message to a Member of Parliament increases political pressure and shows that many citizens would be affected by the planned changes. The more people participate factually and constructively in the debate, the greater the chance of preserving the existing holding period.
Take action – now.
