Buy Berkshire Hathaway Stock 2026
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is the stock for investors who favour capital appreciation over dividends. Here is how to choose the right share class (B not A!), why there are no distributions, and why that makes this the most tax-relaxed case of all.
What makes Berkshire Hathaway stock special
Berkshire Hathaway is the investment holding company of Warren Buffett (successor: Greg Abel) — with subsidiaries such as GEICO and BNSF as well as large equity stakes (including Apple and Coca-Cola). Berkshire is a special case in two respects that you need to understand before buying:
- No dividend — profits are reinvested; the return comes purely from share price appreciation
- Two share classes: A-share (over $500,000!) and B-share (for private investors)
- B-share = 1/1,500 of the economic interest of an A-share (and only 1/10,000 of the voting rights)
- Tax-relaxed: without a dividend, tax only falls due when you sell (tax deferral)
Buy Berkshire stock in 4 steps
Berkshire (B) is widely tradeable. If you want to start with small amounts, check that your broker offers fractional shares or a savings plan on the B-share. See broker comparison.
Search for BRK.B (WKN A0YJQ2), NOT the A-share (BRK.A, WKN 854075) — one A-share costs over $500,000. The B-share delivers the same economic exposure in a smaller denomination.
Buy on the NYSE (USD) or on Xetra/Tradegate (EUR). Since the stock does not split regularly, the B-share price is in the three-digit range — with fractional shares you can invest any euro amount.
Berkshire B is available as a savings plan at selected brokers (from €1). Because there is no dividend, the stock is ideal for pure wealth accumulation without ongoing tax events.
The Berkshire Hathaway dividend — there is none
Berkshire pays no dividend and has done so only once since 1967. Buffett’s logic: the company can reinvest every retained dollar more profitably than the shareholder could after taxes. This policy continues under successor Greg Abel. Your return therefore comes exclusively from share price appreciation — which is a tax advantage (see below).
Berkshire vs. a typical dividend stock
| Feature | Berkshire B |
|---|---|
| Dividend | none |
| Source of return | share price appreciation only |
| Ongoing tax | none (only on sale) |
| Currency | USD (exchange-rate risk) |
🧾 Taxes when buying Berkshire (Germany & Austria)
Because Berkshire pays no dividend, there is no ongoing withholding tax or capital gains tax. Tax only arises when you sell shares at a profit — in Germany 26.375% Abgeltungsteuer, in Austria 27.5% KESt on the realised capital gain. This tax deferral effect is a genuine advantage for long-term investors: your capital grows untaxed until you sell.
Berkshire tax — ongoing vs. on sale
| Point in time | 🇩🇪 Germany | 🇦🇹 Austria |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing (holding period) | no tax | no tax |
| On sale at a profit | 26.375% Abgeltungsteuer | 27.5% KESt |
| US withholding tax | none (no dividend) | none (no dividend) |
| Tax deferral | ✓ until sale | ✓ until sale |
The most common mistake: accidentally searching for the A-share (BRK.A) — it costs more than half a million US dollars per share. For private investors the B-share (BRK.B, WKN A0YJQ2) is always the right choice. Both represent the same company; the B-share is simply issued in smaller denominations.
⚠️ Special features & risks
- No ongoing income: Investors seeking dividend cash flow are in the wrong place here — returns come only from price appreciation
- Key-person risk: The Buffett era is ending; successor Greg Abel still has to prove his track record
- Currency risk USD/EUR on the price and the eventual sale proceeds
- Conglomerate complexity: Berkshire is effectively a mixed conglomerate — valuation is less transparent than for a single-business company
FAQ — Buy Berkshire Hathaway stock 2026
Should I buy the A or the B share?
For private investors almost always the B-share (BRK.B). The A-share costs over $500,000 and is intended for institutional investors. The B-share represents 1/1,500 of the economic interest and is tradeable in the three-digit price range.
Why does Berkshire pay no dividend?
Because Warren Buffett is convinced that retained earnings can be reinvested more profitably than shareholders could deploy them after taxes. This policy continues under successor Greg Abel. Your return comes exclusively from share price appreciation.
How is Berkshire taxed in Germany/Austria?
Because there is no dividend, no tax arises during the holding period. Only on a profitable sale do 26.375% Abgeltungsteuer (DE) or 27.5% KESt (AT) apply. Until then your investment grows tax-free — a deferral advantage.
Can I buy Berkshire with small amounts?
Yes — via fractional shares or a savings plan on the B-share, at selected brokers from as little as €1. This means you do not need to come up with the full three-digit unit price.
Is Berkshire suitable for beginners?
As a broadly diversified holding, Berkshire is comparatively robust, but it is not a dividend stock. For beginners who want to build wealth over the long term and do not need ongoing income, the B-share is a well-considered core position — ideally complemented by a broad ETF.
Further reading