Austria Crypto Tax: Full Guide for 2025
Austria Crypto Tax 2025
Austria imposes a flat tax of 27.5% on most cryptocurrency gains and income for assets acquired after February 28, 2021. Cryptocurrencies are generally treated as capital assets, similar to stocks.
Austria boasts a structured, simple, and friendly approach to crypto taxation, which is overseen by the Federal Ministry of Finance (Bundesministerium für Finanzen, BMF). One notable feature of Austria’s crypto tax policy is crypto swaps are not counted as capital gains, and thus swaps between crypto tokens are tax-free.
Otherwise, Austria treats Crypto assets similarly to traditional financial instruments, with a flat tax rate of 27.5% applied to both capital gains and income.
Also of note: Centralized crypto exchanges and brokers in Austria are required to withhold capital gains tax on profitable cryptocurrency transactions.
Classification of Crypto in Austria
Cryptocurrencies are classified as intangible assets and are subject to capital gains tax upon disposal (once they’re sold for euros). Income generated from activities like mining or staking is also taxable.
Scope of the Guide
This guide covers everything you need to know about paying taxes on crypto transactions in Austria, including when to report, which forms to file, how to calculate your taxes, and which transactions are actually taxable. We’ll also explain some basic strategies that anyone can use to reduce their tax liability.
Reporting and Deadlines
Tax Year Period
Austria's tax year aligns with the calendar year, running from January 1 to December 31.
Filing Deadlines for Individuals
The deadline to submit tax returns for the 2024 tax year is June 30, 2025.
Austrian Website for Crypto Tax Reporting Online
Taxpayers can file returns electronically via the FinanzOnline platform. Taxpayers must register in advance with a valid Austrian ID.
Austria Crypto Tax Basics
Taxable Transactions
Selling Crypto for Fiat: Profits from selling cryptocurrencies for euros are taxed at 27.5%.
Using Crypto to Pay for Goods or Services: Paying for goods or services with crypto is considered a disposal, and realized profits are subject to the 27.5% capital gains tax.
Receiving Crypto via Work, Mining, Staking, or Airdrops: These are treated as income and taxed at 27.5% based on their fair market value upon receipt.
Non-Taxable Transactions
Purchasing Crypto with Fiat: Buying crypto is not a taxable event.
Crypto-to-crypto swaps: Unlike most countries, swapping one token for another is not a taxable event in Austria.
Transferring Crypto Between Owned Wallets: Moving crypto between personal wallets is tax-free.
Small Gifts of Crypto: Gifting crypto is generally tax-free, but recipients may be subject to taxation upon disposal if they realize a gain.
Deducting Losses
Using Capital Losses to Offset Gains: Capital losses from crypto can offset gains from other capital investments.
Carryforward Rules for Unused Losses: Losses can be carried forward to offset gains in future years indefinitely, but only 75% of a specific year’s gains may be offset. Source
Key Allowances and Thresholds
Personal Use Asset Exemption Thresholds: No specific exemptions for personal use assets in crypto taxation.
Tax-Free Income Thresholds: Profits under €440 annually from speculative trades may be tax-free, but exceeding this limit makes the entire amount taxable. For example, if you earn €440, it is tax-free, but if you earn €441, you owe taxes on the entire amount.
Unique Crypto Tax Laws in Austria
Austria implemented new crypto tax laws in 2022, and crypto purchased before March 1, 2021 was grandfathered in and treated according to the prior regulations. Crypto acquired before March 1, 2021 is considered “Old Stock,” and is no longer subject to capital gains tax.
Crypto assets purchased after March 1, 2021, are considered “New Stock” and are subject to the current tax laws governing crypto upon disposal.
Austrian Income Tax Brackets
Austria employs a progressive income tax system:
Tax Rate | Income Range (€) |
0% | Up to €11,000 |
20% | €11,001 – €18,000 |
30% | €18,001 – €31,000 |
40% | €31,001 – €60,000 |
48% | €60,001 – €90,000 |
50% | €90,001 – €1,000,000 |
55% | Over €1,000,000 |
Capital Gains Tax on Crypto in Austria
Taxable Events
Sale of Crypto for a Profit: Selling crypto for more than the purchase price incurs a 27.5% tax on the gain.
Tax Treatment Based on Holding Period: Crypto acquired before March 1, 2021, is tax-free upon sale.
Calculation Method
Carry Over Cost Basis: If you had multiple crypto-to-crypto swaps, you must carry the cost basis from the originally purchased crypto.
Determine Net Profits: Subtract the cost basis of the tokens sold from the sale price.
Identify Holding Period Status: Classify as old or new stock based on acquisition date.
Apply Discounts or Exemptions: If your total gains are less than €440, or if you only sold “Old Stock,” your gains are tax-free.
Apply 27.5% Tax Rate: Apply the flat 27.5% rate to all gains.
Income Tax on Cryptocurrency for Austria
All income earned through crypto activity is taxed at the 27.5% flat rate based on their fair market value in euros at the time they are received.
Crypto Transactions Taxable as Income
There are four basic types of transactions that are subject to income tax:
Mining Rewards
Staking, Lending, and Liquidity Rewards
Airdrops
Payments Received for Goods or Services
How to Calculate Your Crypto Income
Valuation of Crypto at Receipt: Determine the fair market value in euros at the time of receipt.
Subtract Related Expenses: Deduct any allowable expenses related to earning the income. This includes gas fees, electricity bills related to mining, etc.
Apply 27.5% Flat Tax Rate.
Tax Treatment of Specific Crypto Transactions in Austria
Mining and Staking
Report as Income When Received: Taxed at 27.5% based on the value upon receipt.
Capital Gains Upon Later Sale: Any increase in value from the time of receipt to sale is taxed at 27.5%.
Airdrops and Hard Forks
Airdrops: Taxed at 27.5% based on the value upon receipt.
Hard Forks: New coins received from hard forks are considered to have a zero cost basis. Once sold, the entire value of the sale is taxed at 27.5%.
Read our full crypto airdrop tax guide.
NFTs
Sales: Profits from selling NFTs are taxed at 27.5%.
Creation/Sales: Income from creating and selling NFTs is taxed at 27.5%.
DeFi Activities
Earnings: Income received through every form of yield farming (lending, providing liquidity, etc.) is taxed at 27.5%.
Token Sales: Profits from selling tokens acquired through DeFi activities are taxed at 27.5%.
Lost or Stolen Crypto
The BMF has not released specific guidance on lost or stolen crypto. However, if you are able to provide sufficient evidence that your crypto was lost or stolen, you can use the loss to offset other capital gains.
Depending on the situation, sufficient evidence could include:
Transaction on the blockchain where a theft occurred.
A police report.
Proof of ownership before it was lost (access to a wallet or exchange account).
Communication from an exchange that your funds were lost or stolen.
It’s always advisable to keep detailed records of your transaction history. In the unfortunate event your crypto is lost or stolen, you can at least use your records to deduct the loss.
Gifting and Inheritance
Gifting: Most gifts are tax free, but there are some exceptions.
Gifts of more than €50,000 euros between family members must be reported and taxed as income.
Gifts of more than €15,000 between friends or third parties must be reported and taxed as income.
Inheritance: Austria does not have an inheritance tax.
Tax upon disposal: For both gifted and inherited crypto, the recipient is taxed on any capital gains realized upon selling the asset, based on the fair market value at the time of receipt.
Using Crypto Tax Software
Most crypto investors and users will want to use crypto tax software in order to compile their records and file accurate reports. Crypto tax software like Awaken significantly reduces the workload of filing taxes, making it easy to finish filing in as little as 20 minutes.
Benefits of Using Tax Software: Simplifies tracking and reporting of crypto transactions.
Features to Look For: Accurate transaction tracking, classification, and reporting capabilities.
Compatibility with The Austrian Tax System: Ensure the software aligns with Austrian tax regulations and provides the information you need to report.
Support Resources Available: Access to customer support and educational resources.
Reducing Crypto Taxes Legally
Tax Loss Harvesting: You can reduce your taxable income by strategically selling crypto assets at a loss to offset gains in other investments. These losses can also be carried forward to future tax years if not fully used.
Long-Term Holding of “Old Stock”: If you acquired crypto before March 1, 2021, and have held it for more than one year, the capital gains from selling it may be completely tax-free under Austria’s “Altbestand” (old inventory) rule.
Using Tax-Free Thresholds: Take advantage of the €440 exemption limit. If your total speculative profits (from short-term trades or income) are under this amount in a given year, those profits may not be taxed at all.
Offsetting Losses from Other Assets: If you have losses from crypto or other capital investments, these can be used to reduce your taxable gains across your entire investment portfolio, not just within crypto.
Timely Reporting: Ensure you report crypto income correctly and on time to avoid penalties or interest. Using proper software or working with a tax advisor can help minimize errors that could lead to overpayment.
For more detail, read our guide on how to reduce your crypto taxes.
Conclusion
Austria has become one of the more structured EU countries when it comes to crypto taxation, especially following its 2022 reform that treats crypto the same way as traditional securities. While a flat 27.5% tax rate applies to most crypto transactions, there are still significant opportunities for tax reduction, especially for those holding older assets.
Maintaining detailed records of your crypto activity, including acquisition dates, costs, and the value of assets at disposal, is essential for accurate reporting. Using dedicated crypto tax software can help automate much of this and ensure compliance.
For personalized advice, consult a tax professional or refer directly to guidance from the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF).
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