Securities Tax 2026 — 27.5 % on Stock Gains in Austria
Anyone who sells stocks, ETFs or bonds at a profit in Austria pays 27.5 % capital gains tax (KESt). The how and where decide whether you do nothing — or fill out the E1kv annex in May.
What is the Securities KESt?
The securities KESt is Austria's standard tax rate on capital gains from securities. Introduced in 2012, it replaces the old speculation period (1-year holding rule). Since then: regardless of how long you hold a stock — the gain on sale is taxed at 27.5 %.
Unlike income tax, KESt is a final tax — you generally don't need to declare it on your tax return because the broker has already withheld it. Unless you use a foreign broker.
Which earnings are subject to KESt?
| Income type | KESt | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Stock price gains | 27.5 % | Realized gain on sale |
| ETF price gains | 27.5 % | Reporting funds too |
| Dividends | 27.5 % | Incl. foreign (with DTA credit) |
| Bond interest | 27.5 % | Government bonds too |
| Savings book interest | 25 % | Separate KESt — lower rate |
| Cryptocurrencies | 27.5 % | Like securities since 2022 |
| Derivatives (CFDs, options) | 27.5 % | Disposal gains |
Domestic vs. foreign broker — the decisive difference
In KESt mechanics there is only one question that truly matters: does your broker remit KESt automatically — or do you have to do it yourself?
easybank, Erste Bank/George, BAWAG, Raiffeisen, DADAT, Hello Bank, Volksbank — all remit KESt directly to the tax office. You need to do nothing on your tax return.
Trade Republic, Scalable Capital, Flatex DE, Interactive Brokers, eToro, Degiro — no automatic KESt. Trade Republic provides an AT tax report since 2024; with IBKR/eToro you must calculate yourself.
Example: €10,000 stock gain
€10,000 gain on Apple stock
→ At a domestic broker: all automatic. At Trade Republic AT: enter in E1kv field 872 (income from realized appreciation).
E1kv — quick guide for foreign-broker users
If you have accounts at Trade Republic, Scalable, IBKR, eToro etc., you must fill out the E1kv annex on your tax return. These are the most important fields:
| Code | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 863 | Income from domestic capital investments | DE-bank savings interest |
| 872 | Realized gains on disposals | Apple sale +€10,000 |
| 923 | Losses from realized disposals | Tesla sale −€2,000 |
| 937 | Creditable tax on domestic income (KESt) | Already-paid KESt |
| 947 | Foreign withholding tax (creditable up to 15 %) | US WHT on Apple |
| 800 | Domestic KESt deduction (at domestic broker) | Auto-populated |
3 tax strategies for AT investors
Since AT has no loss carryforward, losses must be offset against gains in the same year. Realized €5,000 gain in October and another position is €3,000 in the red? Sell before year-end — saves €825 KESt. (Wash-sale rules in AT are loose, but document cleanly.)
Anyone who barely trades and just holds a MSCI World for 30 years does better with easybank/George than Trade Republic — no tax bureaucracy. The minimal order surcharge (€6–10) is recouped after a few years versus hours filing E1kv.
On US stocks, IBKR/Trade Republic withholds 15 % US tax (with W-8BEN). These 15 % are credited against AT KESt — your total burden stays at 27.5 %, not 27.5 % + 15 %. Enter in E1kv field 947.
FAQ — Securities KESt
When does KESt apply?
At the moment of sale — not while holding. Book gains are not yet taxable in AT. At domestic brokers, KESt is deducted immediately at sale, so you see the net proceeds in your settlement account.
Is there a holding period in Austria?
No, not anymore. The one-year holding period (pre-2012) was abolished — every sale gain is taxable, regardless of holding duration. Exception: securities purchased before April 1, 2012 are "old stock" and remain tax-free.
What about gains under €730?
There is a €730 assessment exemption limit — but only for foreign-broker users (mandatory assessment). If your total foreign capital income stays below €730/year, you don't need to declare. At domestic brokers the limit doesn't exist — KESt is always withheld.
Do I have to calculate KESt myself?
At domestic brokers: no, they do everything. At foreign brokers: yes. Trade Republic provides an AT tax report with all E1kv values since 2024 — you copy the numbers into FinanzOnline. At IBKR/eToro/Flatex DE there's no AT report — you must calculate gains yourself from trade history.
How does the KESt rate of 27.5 % work out?
The rate was raised from 25 % to 27.5 % in 2016 (for securities; savings books stayed at 25 %). AT is now more expensive than DE for equity ETFs (DE effective rate 18.46 % after partial exemption). A reduction was discussed multiple times in 2024 (election year) but never implemented.
Is there an allowance like in Germany?
No. AT has no savings allowance. Even the first euro of stock gain is taxed at 27.5 %. Sole exception: the €730 assessment exemption for foreign-broker users (see above).