About the Germany Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Germany taxes private investment income — share and ETF gains, dividends, interest and fund distributions — with a flat 25% withholding tax (Abgeltungsteuer, collected as Kapitalertragsteuer), plus a 5.5% solidarity surcharge on that tax and, if you are a church member, 8% or 9% church tax. This calculator applies those rules to your gains for the year after the saver’s allowance (Sparer-Pauschbetrag) of €1,000 for single filers or €2,000 for married couples assessed jointly.
It also handles two rules that trip up investors: losses from selling individual shares (Aktien) can only be offset against gains from shares, while other losses can be set against any capital income; and investment funds get a partial exemption (Teilfreistellung) — 30% of gains on equity funds and ETFs are tax-free, 15% on mixed funds, 60% on real estate funds and 80% on funds investing mainly in foreign real estate.
Use it to estimate what your broker will withhold, plan sales around your allowance, or compare church-tax and non-church-tax outcomes. It assumes private (non-business) investments held in a German account, ignores foreign withholding tax credits, the advance lump sum (Vorabpauschale) and the optional Günstigerprüfung for people whose personal income tax rate is below 25%.
With the default inputs, the total tax on capital income is €2,241.88. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the germany capital gains tax calculator
- 1Choose single or joint assessment to set your saver’s allowance.
- 2Enter gains and losses from selling individual shares.
- 3Enter fund or ETF gains and pick the fund type for the partial exemption.
- 4Add interest, dividends and any other capital losses.
- 5Choose your church tax rate and read the total tax.
Formula and method
Net capital income is share gains less share losses (share losses cannot go below zero against other income), plus interest, dividends and other gains, plus fund income after the partial exemption, less other capital losses. The saver’s allowance of €1,000 (€2,000 for joint assessment) is deducted, and the rest is taxed at 25%. Under §32d EStG, church members pay KapESt = income ÷ (4 + k), which works out at 24.51% with 8% church tax and 24.45% with 9%, because church tax is treated as deductible.
The solidarity surcharge is 5.5% of the KapESt and church tax is 8% or 9% of it. Without church tax the total rate is 26.375%; with church tax it is about 27.82% (8%) or 27.99% (9%). Unused share losses and other losses carry forward to later years.
- KapESt
- Kapitalertragsteuer / Abgeltungsteuer
- k
- Church tax rate (0.08 or 0.09)
Worked examples
€8,000 share gains and €1,500 interest, no church tax
Total capital income of €9,500 less the €1,000 allowance leaves €8,500. Tax at 25% is €2,125 and the 5.5% Soli adds €116.88, so €2,241.88 is withheld.
€20,000 equity ETF gain, married, 9% church tax
The 30% partial exemption leaves €14,000 taxable, less the €2,000 joint allowance = €12,000. KapESt is €12,000 ÷ 4.09 = €2,933.99, plus €161.37 Soli and €264.06 church tax: €3,359.41 in total.
Share losses cannot offset interest
Share losses of €5,000 wipe out the €2,000 share gain, but the remaining €3,000 cannot be used against interest. €4,000 of interest less the €1,000 allowance is taxed: €750 + €41.25 Soli = €791.25.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital gains tax rate in Germany?+
Private investment income is taxed at a flat 25% Abgeltungsteuer plus a 5.5% solidarity surcharge on the tax, for 26.375% in total. Church members pay 8% or 9% church tax on top, giving about 27.82% or 27.99%.
How much is the Sparer-Pauschbetrag?+
Since 2023 the saver’s allowance is €1,000 per person and €2,000 for married couples or civil partners assessed jointly. You use it by giving your bank a Freistellungsauftrag, which can be split across several banks.
How are ETFs taxed in Germany?+
Equity ETFs (at least 51% in shares) get a 30% partial exemption, so only 70% of gains and distributions are taxed. Accumulating ETFs are also taxed each January on an advance lump sum (Vorabpauschale) based on the base interest rate.
Can share losses offset other investment income?+
No. Losses from selling individual shares can only be offset against gains from selling shares, now or in future years. Losses from funds, ETFs, bonds and other investments can be offset against any capital income.
Does the Soli exemption apply to capital gains?+
No. Most employees no longer pay solidarity surcharge on wage tax, but the 5.5% surcharge is still withheld on Abgeltungsteuer by your bank whatever your income, so it is included in every result here.
What is the Günstigerprüfung?+
If your personal income tax rate is below 25%, you can ask the tax office in your annual return to tax capital income at your normal progressive rate instead of the flat rate, and the lower result applies.
Tax results are estimates based on published rules and simplified assumptions. They are not tax advice — check official guidance or a tax professional for your situation.