Tool
German Forex Tax Calculator 2026
Calculate your Abgeltungsteuer on forex CFD profits, including the solidarity surcharge, church tax, and the EUR 20,000 derivative loss offset cap with carry-forward projection.
Total Tax
EUR 7.912,50
Effective Rate
15,83%
Net Profit
EUR 42.087,50
Loss Carry-Forward
EUR 0,00
| Component | With EUR 20k Cap |
|---|---|
| Gross gains | EUR 50.000,00 |
| Deductible losses | −EUR 20.000,00 |
| Taxable income | EUR 30.000,00 |
| Abgeltungsteuer (25%) | EUR 7.500,00 |
| Solidarity surcharge (5.5%) | EUR 412,50 |
| Total tax | EUR 7.912,50 |
| Effective rate on gross gains | 15,83% |
How German Forex Tax Works
Forex CFD trading profits in Germany are taxed under the Abgeltungsteuer (flat-rate capital gains tax) regime at 25%, plus a 5.5% solidarity surcharge on the tax amount and, for church members, an additional 8% or 9% Kirchensteuer. The combined effective rate without church tax is 26.375%.
German brokers regulated by BaFin withhold the Abgeltungsteuer at source automatically. When using a foreign EU broker via MiFID II passporting, no tax is withheld and traders must self-report on the Anlage KAPof their annual income tax return (Einkommensteuererklärung).
The EUR 20,000 Derivative Loss Cap
Since 1 January 2021, §20 Abs. 6 Satz 5 EStG restricts the annual deduction of derivative losses to EUR 20,000. This applies to forex CFDs, options, futures, and other derivative instruments. Losses exceeding the cap carry forward indefinitely but remain subject to the same EUR 20,000 limit in every future year.
The cap applies at the net level within the derivative category. Derivative losses cannot be offset against stock gains, dividends, or interest income. This makes Germany one of the most punitive jurisdictions in the EU for active traders who experience significant drawdowns.
The calculator above shows exactly how the cap affects your tax bill. Enter your annual gains and losses to see the difference between what you would pay with full loss deduction versus the capped amount, and how many years it takes to exhaust your carried-forward losses.
Kirchensteuer Adjustment
When church tax applies, the Abgeltungsteuer base is reduced by the formula 25% ÷ (1 + church_rate × 25%). This adjustment keeps the total tax burden approximately revenue-neutral. For 8% church tax (Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg), the adjusted Abgeltungsteuer is approximately 24.51%; for 9% (all other states), approximately 24.45%.
Filing Requirements
German tax residents who trade with a foreign broker must report all capital gains on the Anlage KAP. Derivative losses subject to the EUR 20,000 cap are reported on Zeile 15. Under CRS (Common Reporting Standard), foreign brokers report account balances and income to the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (BZSt), so unreported gains are readily detectable.
Important Limitations
This calculator applies to private retail traders whose gains are taxed under the Abgeltungsteuer regime (§20 EStG). It does not apply to professional traders classified as conducting a Gewerbebetrieb, who face income tax, trade tax, and different loss-offset rules. It does not account for the EUR 1,000 Sparerpauschbetrag (saver allowance) which may reduce taxable capital income. Consult a Steuerberater (tax adviser) for personalised advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Abgeltungsteuer rate on forex trading profits?
The Abgeltungsteuer is a flat 25% tax on capital gains including forex CFD profits. On top of this, a 5.5% solidarity surcharge is applied (on the tax amount, not gains), making the combined rate 26.375% without church tax. With church tax (8% or 9%), the Abgeltungsteuer base is adjusted downward to keep the total burden revenue-neutral, resulting in effective rates of approximately 27.82% (8% church tax) or 27.99% (9% church tax).
What is the EUR 20,000 derivative loss offset cap?
Since 1 January 2021, section 20(6) sentence 5 EStG limits the annual deduction of derivative losses (including forex CFDs, options, and futures) to EUR 20,000 per year. Losses exceeding this cap carry forward indefinitely but remain subject to the same EUR 20,000 annual limit in future years. This means a trader with EUR 80,000 in gains and EUR 50,000 in losses pays tax on EUR 60,000 (not EUR 30,000), with EUR 30,000 of losses carried forward.
How does the Kirchensteuer affect the Abgeltungsteuer?
When Kirchensteuer applies, the Abgeltungsteuer base is reduced using the formula: 25% / (1 + church_rate x 0.25). For 8% church tax (Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg), this gives an Abgeltungsteuer rate of approximately 24.51%. For 9% (all other states), approximately 24.45%. The total combined rate including solidarity surcharge is approximately 27.82% or 27.99% respectively.
Do foreign EU brokers withhold German tax?
No. When trading with a foreign EU broker via MiFID II passporting (e.g. a CySEC-regulated or FCA-regulated broker), the broker does not withhold German Abgeltungsteuer. Traders must self-report gains on the Anlage KAP of their annual tax return, with derivative losses reported separately on Zeile 15 (subject to the EUR 20,000 cap).
Can I offset forex losses against stock gains?
No. Since 2021, derivative losses (including forex CFDs) can only be offset against other derivative gains. They cannot be offset against stock gains, dividend income, or interest income. This is a separate restriction from the EUR 20,000 annual cap — even within the derivative category, only EUR 20,000 can be deducted per year.
How long can derivative losses be carried forward?
Derivative losses carry forward indefinitely. There is no time limit on how long you can carry losses forward. However, the EUR 20,000 annual cap applies in every future year, so large accumulated losses take multiple years to fully utilise. For example, EUR 100,000 in carried-forward losses would take 5 years to fully offset (at EUR 20,000 per year).
Does the solidarity surcharge still apply in 2026?
Yes. While the solidarity surcharge was largely abolished for income tax in 2021, it continues to apply in full (5.5%) on the Abgeltungsteuer for capital gains. There is no threshold or exemption — all capital gains taxed under the Abgeltungsteuer attract the full 5.5% surcharge.
Is this calculator accurate for professional traders?
This calculator applies to private retail traders whose forex gains are taxed under the Abgeltungsteuer regime (section 20 EStG). Professional traders classified as conducting a Gewerbebetrieb (commercial business) are subject to income tax, trade tax, and different loss offset rules. If your trading activity constitutes a commercial business (determined by frequency, organisation, and intent to profit), consult a Steuerberater.
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