Cerfa 2039 — carry-back of losses
Form 2039-SD carries the option for the CARRY-BACK of a loss under article 220 quinquies of the French tax code. Instead of waiting for future profits, the company sets its loss against the previous year's profit and obtains a CLAIM on the Treasury. Two limits govern everything: the carry-back reaches back one year only — and only against the UNDISTRIBUTED part of that profit — and it is capped at the lower of the offsettable profit and €1,000,000.
Up to date for 2026 — verified on September 8, 2026Official form2039-SDGuide: about 35 min
This content is part of the path: Optimising my group's corporation tax· Step 11 of 12· Next step: Form 2058-B — carried-forward losses and non-deductible provisions
Deadlines
- With the results return
- The option is exercised for the financial year in which the loss is recorded, within the same deadlines as the filing of the results return. After that, it is no longer open for that year.
Documents to prepare
- Results return for the loss-making year
- Table 2058-A (line XJ) or 2033-B (line 354) for the year
- Corporation tax notice for the previous year
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Who this applies to
- Companies subject to corporation tax that record a loss and had taxed profit in the previous year
- Tax-consolidated groups within the meaning of article 223 A, for the group's overall loss
- Accountants and CFOs weighing carry-forward against carry-back
Worked example
Example: SAS Verrier after a loss-making year
SAS VERRIER records a loss of €180,000 for the year ended 31/12/2025, after a profit of €240,000 taxed at 25 % the previous year. The offsettable profit exceeding the loss and the €1,000,000 cap not being reached, it carries back the whole amount: €180,000 on line 15, and a claim of €45,000 on line 19 (180,000 × 25 %). Its loss carried forward falls to zero on line 18.
How to fill it in, step by step
- Fill in the identification: name and address of the main establishment, SIREN, registered office address if different, telephone, activities carried on, and tick the box if the company is in a tax-consolidated group.
- Section II: give the name and capacity of the signatory, then date the loss-making year — opening and closing — on line 1, or on line 2 for a group's overall loss.
- Compute on page 2 the offsettable profit (lines 1 to 12), excluding distributed profits and those whose tax was paid using tax credits.
- Enter on line 13 the portion of the loss carried back, up to the lower of €1,000,000 and the offsettable profit, and total on line 15.
- Carry the line 15 amount to the "loss carried back amounts to" line on page 1, and compute the claim on line 19.
The form, line by line
- Line 13 — the double cap
- The form spells it out: "up to the lower of €1,000,000 and the offsettable tax profit". There are indeed two caps, and the lower one applies.
- Line 2 — offsettable profit
- Not the previous year's accounting profit, but the tax profit ACTUALLY SUBJECT to corporation tax, at the standard or reduced rate. Exempt profits are excluded.
- Lines 3 to 11 — excluded profit
- Distributed profit and profit whose tax was paid using tax credits or reductions are deducted from the offsettable profit: the carry-back cannot refund tax that was not paid in cash.
- Line 19 — the claim
- Footnote 3 of the form defines it: "the carry-back claim equals the tax paid on the offsettable profit" (article 220 quinquies I, 4th paragraph). It is computed at the column's rate, 25 % or 15 %.
- The two rate columns
- Page 2 separates the standard 25 % rate from the reduced 15 % rate. Footnote 1 recalls who qualifies for the reduced rate: turnover below €10 million and capital held at least 75 % by individuals, within €42,500 of profit per twelve-month period.
Good to know
- The carry-back reaches back ONE financial year only: the one immediately preceding the loss-making year.
- The option is exercised for the year in which the loss is recorded, within the results-return filing deadlines; it cannot be caught up later.
- A loss carried back ceases to be available for carry-forward: line 18 records that by deducting line 17 from line 16.
- The claim is not refunded at once: article 220 quinquies refunds it at the end of the FIVE years following the closing of the option year, the company being able to set it against its corporation tax meanwhile.
- The year's loss is carried over from line XJ of table 2058-A or line 354 of table 2033-B, as footnote 2 indicates.
Common mistakes
- Carrying the loss back over several earlier years: the carry-back reaches back one year only.
- Using the accounting profit instead of the tax profit actually subject to corporation tax.
- Forgetting to exclude distributed profits and those whose tax was paid using tax credits.
- Applying the €1,000,000 cap without comparing it with the offsettable profit: the LOWER of the two applies.
- Exercising the option after the results return has been filed, which makes it ineffective.
Frequently asked questions
Carry-forward or carry-back: which to choose?
The carry-back gives an immediate claim on the Treasury, but consumes the loss and reaches back one year only. The carry-forward is unlimited in time but is worth something only if future profits appear. The trade-off depends on cash flow and outlook.
What is the carry-back cap?
The lower of two amounts: €1,000,000 and the offsettable tax profit of the previous year. The form states it on line 13.
When can I collect the claim?
Not immediately. Article 220 quinquies refunds it at the end of the FIVE years following the closing of the year for which the option was exercised; during those five years the company may set it against corporation tax on years closed.
Can a tax-consolidated group carry back?
Yes: line 2 of section II is provided for the group's overall loss within the meaning of article 223 A, and the "company in a tax-consolidated group" box is ticked in section I.
Go further
Compute the related amounts
Understand this form: the related course
Official sources
- impots.gouv.fr — Form 2039-SD (cerfa 14471*15, 2026 edition): carry-back of losses, article 220 quinquies, cap at the lower of €1,000,000 and the offsettable profit — September 8, 2026
- Légifrance — article 220 quinquies of the French general tax code: carry-back limited to the undistributed part of the profit and capped at €1,000,000, claim refunded at the end of the FIVE years following the closing, option exercised within the results-return deadlines. In force since 21 February 2026 (Law no. 2026-103 of 19 February 2026) — September 8, 2026
Guide and document provided for information purposes only; they do not constitute personalised legal or tax advice. Check the recipient organisation's requirements and consult a professional if needed.