Tool
Ireland Forex Tax Calculator 2026
Calculate your Irish Capital Gains Tax at 33% with the EUR 1,270 annual exemption, unlimited loss carryforward, and split-year payment schedule. See exactly how much you owe and when each payment is due.
Annual exemption applied: EUR 1,270.00 deducted from net gains under TCA s.601. The first EUR 1,270 of chargeable gains per individual per year is tax-free.
Loss offset applied: EUR 5,000.00 in losses deducted from gross gains.
Revenue filing reminder: Income from EU-passported brokers (Exness, Pepperstone, BlackBull, etc.) is self-assessed. No tax is withheld at source. File via Form 11 (self-employed / additional income) or Form 12(PAYE). Ireland has no separate foreign-asset declaration form — unlike Italy’s Quadro RW or Spain’s Modelo 720. Under CRS, EU-regulated brokers report account balances to Revenue automatically.
Taxable Gains
EUR 23,730.00
after losses + exemption
Total CGT
EUR 7,830.90
26.10% effective
Net Profit
EUR 22,169.10
after tax
CGT Rate
33.00%
flat rate
| Payment Period | Gains | Taxable | CGT Due | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial period (1 Jan – 30 Nov) | EUR 27,000.00 | EUR 21,357.00 | EUR 7,047.81 | 15 December |
| Later period (1 Dec – 31 Dec) | EUR 3,000.00 | EUR 2,373.00 | EUR 783.09 | 31 January |
| Full year total | EUR 30,000.00 | EUR 23,730.00 | EUR 7,830.90 | — |
Ireland uses a split-year payment system. Gains realised 1 Jan – 30 Nov require preliminary CGT payment by 15 December. Gains realised in December require payment by 31 January of the following year. Late payment incurs interest at 0.0219% per day (approx. 8% p.a.).
| Step | Amount (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Gross trading gains | 30,000.00 |
| Less: current-year losses | (5,000.00) |
| Net gains before exemption | 25,000.00 |
| Less: annual exemption (EUR 1,270) | (1,270.00) |
| Taxable gains | 23,730.00 |
| CGT at 33% | 7,830.90 |
Same Gains in Other EU Jurisdictions
Tax on EUR 25,000.00net gains under each country’s default regime (before Ireland’s EUR 1,270 exemption, for fair comparison).
| Country | Rate | Tax | vs Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 26.10% | EUR 7,830.90 | — |
| Germany | 26.375% | EUR 6,593.75 | -1,237.15 |
| France (PFU) | 30.00% | EUR 7,500.00 | -330.90 |
| Portugal | 28.00% | EUR 7,000.00 | -830.90 |
| Spain (tiered) | 19–28% | EUR 5,130.00 | -2,700.90 |
| Italy | 26.00% | EUR 6,500.00 | -1,330.90 |
Negative values = you pay more in Ireland. Ireland’s 33% rate is the highest among major EU jurisdictions for forex CGT. The trade-off: unlimited loss carryforward and no foreign-asset declaration form make compliance simpler. Germany’s EUR 20,000 derivative loss cap can push effective rates above 33% for traders with large drawdowns.
How Irish Forex Tax Works
Forex CFD trading profits in Ireland are subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) at a flat rate of 33% under the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA), Part 19. This rate has been unchanged since 2013 (Finance Act 2012, s.28). Unlike Portugal or France, Ireland does not offer an alternative progressive-rate option for capital gains.
Each individual receives an annual exemption of EUR 1,270 (TCA s.601). The first EUR 1,270 of chargeable gains in any tax year is tax-free. This exemption is modest compared to what the UK offered historically (GBP 12,300 until 2023/24), but it is still a meaningful benefit for small traders.
The Split-Year Payment System
Ireland’s CGT payment system is unique in the EU. The tax year is split into two periods, each with its own payment deadline:
- Initial period (1 January – 30 November): preliminary CGT on gains realised in this period is due by 15 December of the same year.
- Later period (1 – 31 December): CGT on gains realised in December is due by 31 January of the following year.
Late payment incurs interest at 0.0219% per day (approximately 8% per annum). The annual Form 11 return reconciling both periods is due by 31 October of the following year (extended to mid-November for ROS online filers). This split-year system means Irish traders must track when gains are realised, not just annual totals.
Loss Offsetting and Unlimited Carryforward
Ireland’s most significant advantage for active traders is unlimited capital loss carryforward (TCA s.546). There is no time limit on carrying forward unused capital losses. A loss from 2020 can offset gains in 2026, 2030, or any future year. This is the most generous regime among major EU jurisdictions:
- Ireland: unlimited (no time limit)
- Germany: no time limit, but derivative losses capped at EUR 20,000/year
- France: 10 years
- Portugal: 5 years (englobamento only)
- Spain: 4 years
Capital losses can offset capital gains from any asset class (shares, property, crypto), but cannot offset other income (employment, rental, business). The annual exemption of EUR 1,270 cannot create or increase a capital loss.
Filing and Foreign Broker Reporting
Income from EU-passported brokers (Exness, Pepperstone, BlackBull, and others) is self-assessed. No tax is withheld at source by foreign brokers. Report gains on Form 11 (self-employed or those with additional income) or Form 12 (PAYE employees with capital gains only).
Ireland does notrequire a separate foreign-asset declaration form. This is a notable simplification compared to Italy (Quadro RW with IVAFE 0.2% on foreign account balances), Spain (Modelo 720 for assets above EUR 50,000), and France (Déclaration 3916 for foreign accounts). Under CRS(Common Reporting Standard), all EU-regulated brokers automatically report account balances and income to the Revenue Commissioners via the broker’s home jurisdiction.
Important Limitations
This calculator applies to Irish tax residents filing CGT under TCA Part 19. It does not model DIRT (Deposit Interest Retention Tax), which applies to deposit interest, not trading gains. Non-residents are generally not subject to Irish CGT on gains from assets not situated in Ireland. Forex trades through a non-Irish broker are typically not considered Irish-situated assets. Consult a chartered tax adviser for cross-border situations or if your trading frequency could be classified as trading income (Case I/II) rather than capital gains (Case IV).
Frequently Asked Questions
How is forex trading taxed in Ireland?
Forex CFD trading profits in Ireland are subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) at a flat rate of 33% (Finance Act 2012, unchanged since 2013). Gains are classified as chargeable gains under the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA), Part 19. Each individual has an annual exemption of EUR 1,270. Losses can offset gains in the same year, with any surplus carrying forward indefinitely. Self-assessment is mandatory — no tax is withheld at source by foreign brokers.
What is the annual CGT exemption in Ireland?
Each individual is entitled to an annual CGT exemption of EUR 1,270 under TCA s.601. The first EUR 1,270 of chargeable gains in any tax year is tax-free. This exemption applies per person, not per asset class — it covers all chargeable gains combined (forex, shares, property, etc.). Married couples filing jointly each receive their own EUR 1,270 exemption.
When are CGT payments due in Ireland?
Ireland uses a split-year payment system. Gains realised from 1 January to 30 November require a preliminary CGT payment by 15 December of the same year. Gains realised in December require payment by 31 January of the following year. Late payment incurs interest at 0.0219% per day (approximately 8% per annum). The annual Form 11 return is due by 31 October of the following year (mid-November if filing via ROS).
Can I carry forward forex losses in Ireland?
Yes. Ireland offers unlimited capital loss carryforward under TCA s.546 — there is no time limit. Unused losses from any prior year can offset future chargeable gains. This is the most generous loss carryforward regime among major EU jurisdictions. By comparison: France allows 10 years, Portugal 5 years (englobamento only), Spain 4 years, and Germany has no time limit but caps derivative losses at EUR 20,000 per year.
Do I need to file a foreign-asset declaration in Ireland?
No. Unlike Italy (Quadro RW, IVAFE 0.2%), Spain (Modelo 720), or France (Déclaration 3916), Ireland does not require a separate foreign-asset declaration form. Foreign broker income is simply declared on the Form 11 (self-employed / additional income) or Form 12 (PAYE). Under CRS (Common Reporting Standard), EU-regulated brokers automatically report account balances and income to Revenue Commissioners via the broker’s home jurisdiction.
Is Ireland's 33% CGT rate the highest in Europe for forex?
Ireland’s 33% flat CGT rate is among the highest in the EU for forex trading profits. Denmark’s progressive system can reach 42%, and Finland charges 30% (34% above EUR 30,000). Most other major EU jurisdictions charge less: Germany 26.375%, Italy 26%, Portugal 28% (or lower via englobamento), France 30% (PFU), and Spain 19–28% tiered. However, Ireland’s unlimited loss carryforward and absence of a foreign-asset declaration form offset some of the rate disadvantage.
How does Ireland's CGT compare to the UK after Brexit?
Irish CGT at 33% is higher than UK CGT, which charges 10% for basic-rate taxpayers and 20% for higher-rate taxpayers on most capital gains (24% and 28% on residential property). However, the UK has a lower annual exemption (GBP 3,000 from 2024/25, down from GBP 12,300). For forex CFD trading specifically, UK spread-betting profits are tax-free, which is not available in Ireland since spread betting is not classified differently from CFDs for Irish tax purposes.
Can I offset forex losses against other income in Ireland?
No. Capital losses can only offset capital gains, not other income (employment, rental, business). This is a fundamental principle of Irish CGT under TCA Part 19. However, capital losses from any asset class (shares, property, crypto) can offset forex gains and vice versa. The annual exemption of EUR 1,270 cannot create or increase a capital loss.
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