Loss Offsetting Austria 2026 — Pot Concept Without Carryforward
Unlike Germany, Austria has no loss carryforward. Anyone who realized a €5,000 stock gain in November and doesn't sell a Tesla loss in December pays full tax. Here's the AT pot concept and tax-loss harvesting guide.
How loss offsetting works in Austria
Austria follows the pot concept: within a tax year, losses can be offset against gains of the same income type. Any negative balance at year end is lost — no carryforward.
This is genuinely unique internationally: Germany allows unlimited loss carryforward, Switzerland +7 years, USA unlimited. AT: zero days after Dec 31.
Example: tax optimization in December
Investor Maria — Vienna, 2026
Maria sold her NVIDIA shares for +€8,000 gain in October 2026. In December, her Tesla position is −€3,000 down. What to do?
Tax 27.5 %: €2,200
Tesla book loss: €3,000 (lost if Dec 31)
Tax 27.5 %: €1,375
Saved: €825
→ Maria can buy Tesla back right after Dec 31 — no wash-sale rule in AT. Important: spread & fees mustn't eat into the tax saving.
Tax-loss harvesting strategies for AT investors
By Dec 15 at the latest, review all book losses. At domestic broker, check the performance tab. At Trade Republic AT, look at the in-app tax report — it shows realized gains and possible loss offset.
Banned in the US, gray area in Austria. You can sell Tesla in December (realize loss) and buy back January 2 — loss recognized. Spread on a major stock is typically < 0.1 %, so €5 cost on a €5,000 position vs €825 tax saving.
In the same pot since 2022. During Bitcoin crashes with simultaneous stock gains → sell crypto, claim losses. Watch out: Bitpanda & Coinbase provide AT tax reports, others (Binance, Bybit) need self-documentation.
FAQ — Loss Offsetting Austria
Why no loss carryforward in Austria?
Politically chosen — at KESt-NEU introduction in 2012 the BMF wanted simple administration. Discussions about carryforward have run since 2018 but with no implementation. Year-end losses you can't offset are gone.
Can I offset 2025 losses in 2026?
No. If you have more losses than gains in the securities pot at Dec 31, 2025, the balance is lost. You start fresh from zero in the new year.
What about crypto losses?
Since March 1, 2022, crypto gains and losses share the securities pot. Before, crypto fell under "other income" with a 1-year holding period. Old stock (acquired before Feb 28, 2021) remains tax-free.
Does Trade Republic AT offset losses automatically?
In the tax report, yes — Trade Republic lists realized gains and losses per tax year, balance enters E1kv field 872 (gains) and 923 (losses). But: actual offsetting only happens when you enter both in E1kv. Trade Republic itself doesn't remit KESt.
What about losses from forwards?
Losses from CFDs, options, futures sit in the securities pot, fully offsettable against stock gains. Knock-out certificates: if booked out as worthless (vs. sold), tax office only recognizes loss if broker books it as a "settlement".