How crypto tax works in Austria
Since the 2022 eco-social reform, crypto counts as capital assets taxed at the 27.5% special rate regardless of holding period, with acquisition costs averaged per wallet and coin.
Old assets acquired before March 1, 2021 keep the former one-year speculation privilege, while crypto-to-crypto swaps are not realisations and staking receipts take zero cost base.
Domestic providers withhold KESt from 2024 with final-taxation effect where data is complete, losses offset only same-year capital income without carryforward, and CARF-style reporting runs from 2026.
Tax rates at a glance
- Crypto gains tax
- 27.5%
- Old-asset gains
- 0% after 1 year
- Crypto-to-crypto swaps
- Not taxable
- Staking receipts
- Zero base
- Loss carryforward
- None
- Commercial trading
- Progressive
Who benefits most
These profiles tend to benefit most when the rules match their real residence, payroll and business setup.
Long-term holdersExpatsFreelancers paid in cryptoFoundersCross-border investors
Watch out for
- No holding discount means timing sales brings no rate benefit for new assets, which inverts German-style planning completely.
- Losses die each December without carryforward and cannot touch salary or interest income, so realisation timing before year-end is the only lever.
- Theft, hacks, and lost keys are not disposals and create no deductible loss, which makes custody failure permanently expensive.
- Commercial trading, business mining, and NFTs outside the crypto definition follow different tracks with progressive rates.
Frequently asked questions
How is crypto taxed in Austria?
New-asset gains face a 27.5% special rate regardless of holding period, with moving-average costing per wallet. Pre-March 2021 holdings keep tax-free sale after one year.
Are crypto-to-crypto swaps taxed in Austria?
No. Swaps between cryptocurrencies are not realisations; tax crystallises on conversion into fiat or spending on goods and services.
Do Austrian exchanges withhold crypto tax?
Domestic providers deduct 27.5% KESt from 2024 with final-taxation effect where acquisition data is complete. Foreign-exchange and self-custody gains are self-assessed.