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Vorabpauschale calculator 2026: base rate 3.20%
Work out what will be debited on 4 January 2027 — with the § 18 InvStG formula.
Last updated: 14 August 2026 · By The Acutic Research Team
The 2026 Vorabpauschale — Germany’s advance lump-sum tax on accumulating funds — is computed with a base rate of 3.20% (BMF letter of 13 January 2026). The Basisertrag is the fund value on 1 January × 3.20% × 70%, capped at the year’s actual value gain, and the 2026 amount is deemed received on 4 January 2027. The calculator below implements exactly that formula — including partial exemption, the twelfths rule, church tax and the saver’s allowance.
Allowance: €1,000 per person, €2,000 for joint assessment.
Note: this calculator provides a simplified illustrative computation under § 18 InvStG and is not a substitute for professional tax advice. The tax assessment and your custodian bank’s statement are authoritative.
The § 18 InvStG formula
The statutory mechanics (§ 18 InvStG) in three steps:
- Basisertrag: fund value at the start of the year × base rate × 70%.
- Cap: the Basisertrag is limited to the calendar year’s value gain (plus distributions). A loss year yields €0.
- Distributions count against it: the Vorabpauschale is the amount by which distributions fall short of the capped Basisertrag. Distributing funds with sufficient payouts land at €0.
For units acquired during the year, the twelfths rule (§ 18 (2) InvStG) reduces the amount by one twelfth per full month preceding the acquisition month: acquired in March counts 10/12, in December 1/12.
Worked example: €10,000 in an equity ETF
€10,000 sits in an accumulating equity ETF on 1 January 2026 and grows to €11,000 by year-end:
- Basisertrag: €10,000 × 3.20% × 70% = €224.00 — the value gain (€1,000) is higher, so the cap does not bite.
- 30% partial exemption: taxable portion €156.80.
- Capital gains tax + solidarity surcharge (26.375%): €41.36 — due 4 January 2027 unless a Freistellungsauftrag absorbs it.
| Fund type | Vorabpauschale | Taxable | Tax (26.375%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equity ETF (30% exemption) | €224.00 | €156.80 | €41.36 |
| Mixed fund (15% exemption) | €224.00 | €190.40 | €50.22 |
| Bond fund (0% exemption) | €224.00 | €224.00 | €59.08 |
Per €10,000 fund value on 1 January 2026, value gain during the year, accumulating, without church tax and allowance. Every figure is derived from the formula shown above.
Partial exemption under § 20 InvStG
| Fund type | Requirement | Exempt |
|---|---|---|
| Equity fund | more than 50% equity participations | 30% |
| Mixed fund | at least 25% equity participations | 15% |
| Real-estate fund (domestic) | more than 50% real estate | 60% |
| Foreign real-estate fund | more than 50% foreign real estate | 80% |
| Other (e.g. bond funds) | — | 0% |
Source: § 20 InvStG; a fund’s classification follows its investment terms (§ 2 InvStG), stated in the factsheet.
Edge cases
- Loss year: Vorabpauschale €0 — the cap at the value gain applies.
- Negative base-rate years: 2021 (−0.45%) and 2022 (−0.05%) produced no Vorabpauschale at all.
- Distributing funds: distributions count euro for euro against the Basisertrag; typical distributers land at €0.
- Disposal: previously taxed Vorabpauschalen reduce the later taxable gain (§ 19 InvStG) — no double taxation.
- January liquidity: the tax is debited from the settlement account. The calculator above puts a number on the 4 January 2027 debit.
FAQ
What is the Vorabpauschale?
The Vorabpauschale is an annual advance taxation of accumulating funds and ETFs under § 18 of the German Investment Tax Act (InvStG). Where a fund does not distribute its income, a notional minimum return — the Basisertrag — is taxed, capped at the actual value gain of the year.
What is the base rate (Basiszins) for 2026?
The base rate for 2026 is 3.20 percent (BMF letter of 13 January 2026). The Basisertrag is the fund value at the start of the year × 3.20% × 70%.
When is the 2026 Vorabpauschale debited?
It is deemed received on the first business day of the following year — for 2026 that is 4 January 2027. The custodian bank debits the tax from the settlement account.
Does a loss year trigger a Vorabpauschale?
No. The Basisertrag is capped at the value gain of the calendar year (plus distributions). If the year ends down, the Vorabpauschale is €0. There is no negative Vorabpauschale.
Does the partial exemption apply to the Vorabpauschale?
Yes. Equity funds are 30% exempt, mixed funds 15%, real-estate funds 60% or 80% (§ 20 InvStG). Only the remaining portion is taxed.
Does the Vorabpauschale count against the saver's allowance?
Yes. It is ordinary investment income and is offset against the Sparer-Pauschbetrag (€1,000 per person, €2,000 for joint assessment) via a Freistellungsauftrag. On a later disposal, previously taxed Vorabpauschalen reduce the taxable gain (§ 19 InvStG).
The Vorabpauschale in your own portfolio
Import your Depot into Acutic via CSV or PDF export and the tax report states the Vorabpauschale per position — using the same formulas as this page. The Trade Republic export guide shows how the import works; the feature overview covers the analysis side.
Further reading: the Vorabpauschale explained step by step, Accumulating vs. distributing: the tax difference in numbers and the partial exemption explained. Create free account.
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