German Forex Tax Calculator 2026

The Abgeltungsteuer is a flat 25% tax on capital gains including forex CFD profits. On top of this, a 5.5% solidarity surcharge is applied (on the tax amount, not gains), making the combined rate 26.375% without church tax. With church tax (8% or 9%), the Abgeltungsteuer base is adjusted downward to keep the total burden revenue-neutral, resulting in effective rates of approximately 27.82% (8% church tax) or 27.99% (9% church tax).

No longer. Between 2021 and 2023, section 20(6) sentence 5 EStG capped the annual deduction of derivative losses (including forex CFDs, options, and futures) at EUR 20,000. The Jahressteuergesetz 2024 (BGBl. I 2024 Nr. 387, published 5 December 2024) abolished both this cap and the separate loss-offset bucket, retroactively for 2024 and all open cases. Derivative losses now offset gains — and other capital income — in full. A trader with EUR 80,000 in gains and EUR 50,000 in losses is taxed on the EUR 30,000 net profit.

When Kirchensteuer applies, the Abgeltungsteuer base is reduced using the formula: 25% / (1 + church_rate x 0.25). For 8% church tax (Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg), this gives an Abgeltungsteuer rate of approximately 24.51%. For 9% (all other states), approximately 24.45%. The total combined rate including solidarity surcharge is approximately 27.82% or 27.99% respectively.

No. When trading with a foreign EU broker via MiFID II passporting (e.g. a CySEC-regulated or FCA-regulated broker), the broker does not withhold German Abgeltungsteuer. Traders must self-report gains on the Anlage KAP of their annual tax return, with derivative losses reported on the relevant Anlage KAP lines (no longer ring-fenced since the EUR 20,000 cap and separate loss bucket were abolished in 2024).

Yes, since the 2024 reform. Between 2021 and 2023 derivative losses (including forex CFDs) sat in a separate bucket and could only offset other derivative gains, capped at EUR 20,000 a year. The Jahressteuergesetz 2024 removed that separate bucket and the cap, so forex CFD losses now offset your general capital income — including interest and dividends — with no annual limit. (Losses on direct share sales keep their own separate offset rules.)

Derivative losses carry forward indefinitely — there is no time limit. Since the EUR 20,000 annual cap was abolished by the Jahressteuergesetz 2024, there is also no ceiling on how much of a carried-forward loss you can offset once you return to profit: it can be set against your full capital income in a single year. For example, EUR 100,000 in carried-forward losses can be fully offset the moment you have EUR 100,000 of capital gains.

Yes. While the solidarity surcharge was largely abolished for income tax in 2021, it continues to apply in full (5.5%) on the Abgeltungsteuer for capital gains. There is no threshold or exemption — all capital gains taxed under the Abgeltungsteuer attract the full 5.5% surcharge.

This calculator applies to private retail traders whose forex gains are taxed under the Abgeltungsteuer regime (section 20 EStG). Professional traders classified as conducting a Gewerbebetrieb (commercial business) are subject to income tax, trade tax, and different loss offset rules. If your trading activity constitutes a commercial business (determined by frequency, organisation, and intent to profit), consult a Steuerberater.