Capital Gains Tax Ireland 2026: 31% Rate, €1,270 Exemption and the 15 December Deadline
Capital gains tax in Ireland fell from 33% to 31% for most gains on disposals from 7 October 2026. If you sold shares, crypto, a second property or other assets at a gain this year, the tax on anything sold between 1 January and 30 November is due by 15 December 2026.
Work out your CGT with the Ireland CGT calculator: the rate for your sale date, costs, losses, the €1,270 exemption and your payment deadline.
The rates
| What you sold | Rate |
|---|---|
| Most assets, sold from 7 October 2026 | 31% |
| Most assets, sold 6 December 2021 to 6 October 2026 | 33% |
| Development land | 33% |
| Foreign life policies and foreign investment products | 40% |
The date that counts is the date of the disposal (for most sales, the contract date), not the date the money arrives.
How CGT is worked out
- Gain = sale price − purchase price − buying and selling costs (fees, commissions, stamp duty) − money spent improving the asset.
- Add up your gains for the year and take off allowable losses from the same year and losses carried forward.
- Take off the €1,270 personal exemption (each individual has their own, every tax year).
- Multiply what is left by the rate.
If you owned the asset before 2003, you may be able to claim indexation relief, and there are reliefs for your home, retirement and entrepreneurs; our calculator does not cover those, so check Revenue’s guidance if they apply.
Worked examples
| Sale | Gain | Taxable | Rate | CGT | Pay by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shares bought for €20,000, sold for €30,000 in September 2026 (€200 costs) | €9,800 | €8,530 | 33% | €2,815 | 15 December 2026 |
| The same sale in November 2026, after the rate change | €9,800 | €8,530 | 31% | €2,644 | 15 December 2026 |
| The November sale, with a €4,000 loss on other shares the same year | €9,800 | €4,530 | 31% | €1,404 | 15 December 2026 |
| A €1,200 gain (under the exemption) | €1,200 | €0 | 31% | €0 | nothing to pay |
Selling in November rather than September saved €171 on the same gain, because of the rate change. The loss in the third row reduced the gain before the exemption was applied, as in Revenue’s own example.
Before 31 December: the €1,270 exemption applies per tax year. If you hold shares with a gain, selling enough to use it this year can be worth up to €394 of tax. But be careful with losses: if you sell shares and buy the same shares back within four weeks, the loss can only be set against a later gain on those repurchased shares.
Deadlines: paying and filing
- Sold 1 January to 30 November: pay by 15 December of the same year.
- Sold in December: pay by 31 January of the next year.
- File the return by 31 October of the year after the sale, even if no tax is due.
If you are not registered for CGT, register and pay online through myAccount (PAYE workers) or ROS. PAYE workers then report the gain on a paper Form 12 or Form CG1; the self-employed use Form 11. Late payment is charged interest, and a late return is penalised.
ETFs are different
Irish and EU-domiciled ETFs and funds are generally not taxed under CGT. They fall under the exit tax rules: 38% in 2026 and 35% from 2027, no €1,270 exemption, no loss relief against other gains, and a deemed disposal every 8 years after each purchase, even if you sell nothing. Shares and US-domiciled ETFs are taxed under CGT.
Own Irish or EU ETFs? Every purchase has its own 8-year clock
Work out one holding’s deemed disposal free, or track every purchase, sale and distribution with the Irish ETF Exit Tax Tracker (spreadsheet, US$15 one-time).
ETF deemed disposal calculator →Related
- Ireland CGT calculator: your tax, rate and deadline.
- Irish investment tax guide: CGT, exit tax, DIRT and pensions side by side.
- Where should my money go?: State Savings, deposits, ETFs, shares and pensions after tax.
- Gift and inheritance tax (CAT) calculator: for the person receiving shares or property, with the new thresholds from 7 October 2026.
Sources
- Revenue: How to calculate CGT (rates from 7 October 2026, exemption, allowable costs, indexation)
- Revenue: When and how do you pay and file CGT (deadlines, registering, forms)
- Revenue: If you make a loss (same-year use, carry forward, spouses)
- Revenue: Selling or disposing of shares (four-week rule, oldest shares sold first)
Rules and rates read on the linked Revenue pages on 3 November 2026. General information, not tax advice: for anything unusual, ask a tax adviser.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital gains tax rate in Ireland?
31% for most gains on disposals from 7 October 2026 (Budget 2027). It was 33% from 6 December 2021 to 6 October 2026. Development land stays at 33%, and foreign life policies and foreign investment products are taxed at 40%.
How much is the CGT exemption in Ireland?
Each individual has a personal exemption of €1,270 a year: the first €1,270 of taxable gains in a tax year is not taxed.
When do I pay CGT in Ireland?
For disposals from 1 January to 30 November, pay by 15 December of the same year. For disposals in December, pay by 31 January of the next year. You also file a CGT return by 31 October of the year after the disposal, even if no tax is due.
Do ETFs pay capital gains tax in Ireland?
Irish and EU-domiciled ETFs and funds are generally taxed under the exit tax rules instead (38% in 2026, 35% from 2027, with deemed disposal every 8 years), not CGT. Shares and US-domiciled ETFs are generally taxed under CGT.
Can I use losses to reduce CGT?
Yes. Allowable losses are set against gains in the same tax year, and unused losses are carried forward to later years. Losses can be transferred between spouses or civil partners. If you sell shares and buy the same shares back within four weeks, the loss can only be used against a later gain on those repurchased shares.
How do I pay CGT if I am a PAYE worker?
Register for CGT and pay online through myAccount or ROS. Then report the gain on Form 12 (paper, as CGT cannot be reported on the online Form 12) or Form CG1, by 31 October of the following year.
Cite this article
DecisionsCalc. (2026). Capital Gains Tax Ireland 2026: 31% Rate, €1,270 Exemption and the 15 December Deadline. DecisionsCalc. https://decisionscalc.com/articles/capital-gains-tax-ireland/