The amount of sums actually paid for cash subscriptions to the capital of companies mentioned in article 238 bis HO made before 1 January 2009 is deductible from overall net income; this deduction may not exceed 25% of this income, up to an annual limit of €19,000 for single, widowed or divorced taxpayers and €38,000 for married taxpayers subject to joint taxation.
In the event of the sale of all or part of the shares subscribed to within five years of their acquisition, the amount of the sums deducted is added to the overall net income for the year of the sale.
When they are recorded on the balance sheet of a company subject to income tax, shares in companies defined in this article may not be subject for tax purposes to a provision for depreciation.
A decree will set out the terms and conditions of application, in particular the reporting obligations.