Capital Gains Tax Calculator for Poland
Our capital gains calculator enables you to easily calculate your tax liability on investment profits, which applies after selling assets for more than their purchase price, free of charge. In addition to calculating the tax owed on realized gains, our calculator can also account for transaction costs and previous losses to determine your net tax liability. In other words, investors wishing to understand their tax obligations can use this tool to calculate how much tax they'll owe on their investment profits.
INVESTMENT
TRANSACTION COSTS
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Losses from previous years (can be carried forward 5 years)
Result
How does the capital gains tax calculator work?
You can easily calculate your capital gains tax liability with our Polish capital gains tax calculator. To achieve this, you only need to specify your investment's purchase price, sale price, any transaction fees, and the type of investment. For real estate, you'll also specify how long you held the property.
You will be able to see the calculation of your capital gain, taxable amount after deductions, and the final tax owed directly in the results panel. The calculator also shows your net profit after taxes and the effective tax rate on your investment.
The use of our capital gains tax calculator is completely anonymous, and your data will not be stored or shared with any third parties.
What is capital gains tax in Poland?
Capital gains tax in Poland is levied at a flat rate of 19% on profits from the sale of investments and assets. The tax is paid when you realize a gain by selling an investment for more than you paid for it, including all associated costs.
Investment income subject to capital gains tax includes gains from stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, cryptocurrency, forex trading, and real estate sales. The tax applies to the profit (sale price minus purchase price minus transaction costs), not the total sale amount.
Income subject to capital gains tax:
- Gains from stocks, ETFs, and other securities
- Profits from cryptocurrency trading
- Gains from bonds and mutual funds
- Real estate sales (with exemptions)
- Forex trading profits
- Gains from derivatives and options
Exemptions from capital gains tax:
- Real estate owned for 5+ years
- Primary residence sales (with conditions)
- Some government bonds
- Certain pension and insurance products
How Capital Gains Tax Works in Poland
Tax Rates
Standard Rate
Most investments are taxed at a flat rate of 19%. This applies to:
- Stocks and ETFs
- Bonds and funds
- Cryptocurrency
- Forex trading
- Other financial instruments
Real Estate
Property sales are also taxed at 19%, but with important exemptions:
- Tax-free if owned for 5+ years
- Primary residence usually exempt
- Can deduct improvement costs
Key Rules
When You Pay Tax
Capital gains tax is only triggered when you sell investments for a profit. Simply holding investments, even if their value increases, doesn't create a tax obligation. The tax applies to the realized gain - the difference between your sale price and purchase price, minus any transaction costs.
Tax-Free Allowance
Unlike some countries, Poland doesn't offer an annual tax-free allowance for capital gains. All investment profits above transaction costs are subject to the 19% tax rate, regardless of the amount. However, you can deduct legitimate costs like brokerage fees and transfer charges.
Losses Offset Gains
Investment losses can be used strategically to reduce your capital gains tax burden. If you have losses from previous investments, they can offset current gains. Unused losses can be carried forward for up to 5 years, making tax planning an important consideration for active investors.
Calculation of capital gains tax in Poland
The capital gains tax rate in Poland is a flat 19% on all investment profits. Unlike some countries, there are no additional surcharges or solidarity taxes on capital gains. The calculation is straightforward: your taxable gain multiplied by 19%.
Basic calculation formula:
Capital Gain = Sale Price - Purchase Price - Transaction Costs
Tax Owed = Capital Gain × 19%
Using previous losses to offset gains
Investors can offset losses from capital investments against gains, which can significantly reduce your tax burden. However, it's important to note that losses from different types of investments may have restrictions on how they can be used.
In Poland, investment losses can be carried forward for up to 5 years. This means if you had losses in previous years that you couldn't fully use, you can apply them against current year gains to reduce your tax liability.
Example: If you made a 10,000 zł profit this year but had 3,000 zł in unused losses from previous years, your taxable gain would be 7,000 zł, and your tax would be 1,330 zł instead of 1,900 zł.
No annual tax-free allowance
Unlike some European countries, Poland does not provide an annual tax-free allowance for capital gains. All investment profits are subject to the 19% tax rate, regardless of the amount. However, you can deduct legitimate transaction costs such as:
- Brokerage fees and commissions
- Transfer and handling charges
- Currency conversion costs
- Legal and notary fees (for real estate)
- Improvement costs (for real estate)
When and how to pay capital gains tax
Capital gains tax in Poland is typically reported and paid through your annual tax return (PIT-38 or PIT-36), which is due by April 30th of the following year. Unlike some countries where tax is automatically withheld, Polish investors are generally responsible for calculating and reporting their own capital gains.
For significant gains, you may need to make advance tax payments during the year. It's advisable to consult with a Polish tax advisor for large or complex investment transactions.
Tax on Different Investment Types
Stocks & ETFs
- • 19% tax on profits
- • Applies when you sell
- • Dividends taxed separately
- • No minimum holding period
Cryptocurrency
- • 19% tax on trading profits
- • Each trade is taxable event
- • Keep detailed records
- • Mining income taxed as business
Real Estate
- • 19% if sold within 5 years
- • Tax-free if owned 5+ years
- • Primary residence usually exempt
- • Can deduct improvement costs
Bonds
- • 19% on capital gains
- • Interest taxed as income
- • Government bonds may be exempt
- • Corporate bonds fully taxable
Mutual Funds
- • 19% when you sell units
- • Distributions may be taxable
- • Polish funds vs foreign funds
- • Check fund tax reporting
Forex Trading
- • 19% on trading profits
- • High frequency = business income
- • Mark-to-market possible
- • Professional vs amateur
Capital Gains Tax Questions & Answers
Do I pay capital gains tax on every stock sale in Poland?
You pay 19% tax on the profit from each stock sale, not the total sale amount. If you bought shares for 10,000 PLN and sold them for 12,000 PLN, you'd pay tax on the 2,000 PLN profit, not the full 12,000 PLN.
Can I offset stock losses against gains in Poland?
Yes, investment losses can reduce your capital gains tax. If you made 5,000 PLN profit on one stock but lost 2,000 PLN on another, you'd only pay tax on 3,000 PLN. Losses can be carried forward for up to 5 years.
Is cryptocurrency taxed the same as stocks in Poland?
Yes, crypto profits are taxed at 19% just like stocks. Every trade is a taxable event - even trading one crypto for another. If you bought Bitcoin for 20,000 PLN and sold it for 30,000 PLN, you'd owe 1,900 PLN in tax (19% of the 10,000 PLN profit).
When do I need to pay capital gains tax to the tax office?
You report capital gains on your annual tax return (PIT-38 or PIT-36) due by April 30th. The tax is paid when you file the return, not immediately when you sell investments. For large gains, you might need to make advance payments during the year.
Do I pay capital gains tax if I sell my apartment in Poland?
Only if you've owned it for less than 5 years. If you sell within 5 years, you pay 19% tax on the profit. After 5 years, it's tax-free. Your primary residence is usually exempt regardless of how long you've owned it.
What costs can I deduct from my capital gains?
You can deduct the original purchase price, brokerage fees, transaction costs, and improvement costs (for real estate). For stocks, this includes broker commissions. For property, renovation costs that increase value can also be deducted.
Do foreign investors pay the same capital gains tax rate?
Polish residents pay 19% regardless of nationality. Non-residents may have different rates depending on tax treaties between Poland and their home country. EU citizens usually get the same treatment as Polish residents.
Is there a minimum amount before capital gains tax applies?
No, there's no minimum threshold in Poland. Even small profits are technically taxable at 19%. However, for very small amounts, the administrative burden might not be worth the tax office's time to pursue.
How do I calculate gains on stocks bought at different prices?
Poland uses FIFO (First In, First Out) method. If you bought 100 shares at 50 PLN and another 100 shares at 60 PLN, then sold 100 shares at 70 PLN, you'd calculate the gain based on the first purchase (70-50 = 20 PLN profit per share).
Can I use losses from previous years to reduce current gains?
Yes, losses can be carried forward for up to 5 years. If you lost 10,000 PLN in stocks three years ago and made 15,000 PLN profit this year, you'd only pay tax on 5,000 PLN after offsetting the old losses.
Do I need to report losses even if I don't owe tax?
It's smart to report losses even if you don't owe tax that year. This creates an official record that you can use to offset future gains. Without proper documentation, you might not be able to use those losses later.
What records do I need to keep for capital gains tax?
Keep records of purchase dates, sale dates, amounts, fees, and any improvement costs. For stocks, save brokerage statements. For crypto, keep exchange records. For real estate, save purchase contracts, sale contracts, and receipts for improvements.