German tax knowledge

How are airdrops and hard forks taxed in Germany?

Last reviewed: August 15, 2026

Airdrops and hard forks in Germany are generally a taxable inflow. Under the Ministry of Finance letter of 10 May 2022 they can be other income at market value when they accrue, especially if they are granted for a service or an active act. That value is the cost basis. If the token is later sold with cost basis zero, the gain is inflated.

The facts in brief
Inflow	Often a taxable receipt
Cost basis	Market value at inflow, or a full gain later
Dust / scam	No market usually means no amount to book

When is an airdrop income — and when not?

Distinguish unsolicited credits from rewards for use, sign-up or lock-up. The Ministry of Finance looks for a service. Unsolicited airdrops with no consideration are often still documented with an inflow value out of caution. What matters is a traceable valuation, not omitting the coins.

What applies to a hard fork?

You receive a new coin without selling the old one. The new coin needs an accrual date and a value. The old coin keeps its existing history. If you ignore the fork, a later sale has no origin.

Why do airdrops land as scam or as a zero-euro buy?

Many dust and scam tokens have no serious market. Do not book those as a valuable inflow. Genuine airdrops need a price. In CleanUp you separate worthless credits from real rewards before they distort the report.

Sources

German Ministry of Finance letter of 10 May 2022 — virtual currencies

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to tax every dust airdrop?

Worthless or fraudulent tokens with no market are generally not a relevant inflow. Document why you do not recognise them instead of selling them at fantasy prices.

When does the holding period start for an airdrop?

At accrual. A later sale tests the period from that date, not from the purchase of the original coins.

Is a fork a swap?

Usually not. You do not give up the old coin. It is an additional inflow next to the continuing old holding.