What is the Italian capital gains tax rate?

Most capital gains in Italy are taxed at 26% as an imposta sostitutiva (substitute tax) — this covers gains on listed and unlisted shares, bonds, funds and other financial assets. The rate replaced earlier tiered rates and applies as a flat charge on the net gain.

When is property capital gain taxable in Italy?

A property gain (plusvalenza) is taxable only if the home is sold within five years of purchase, again at 26%. If you hold it for more than five years, or it was your main residence for most of the period you owned it, the gain is exempt from capital gains tax.

What counts as the cost base?

The cost base is the purchase price plus directly related acquisition costs — for property, items such as registry tax, notaio fees and documented improvement works. A higher allowable cost base reduces the taxable gain and so the tax due.

Can I offset losses against gains?

Yes, for financial assets capital losses can generally be offset against capital gains of the same category, typically within the following four years. This calculator computes the tax on a single net gain; net your gains and losses first, then enter the result.

Does this calculator store my data?

No. Every figure is computed in your browser and nothing is uploaded, so you can work out your position privately.

Italy Capital Gains Tax Calculator

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This Italy capital gains tax calculator applies the flat 26% imposta sostitutiva to gains on shares and other financial assets, and to property sold within five years — while correctly treating long-held or main-residence property as exempt.

How it works

The taxable gain is simply:

gain = sale proceeds − cost base

where the cost base is the purchase price plus allowable acquisition and (for property) documented improvement costs. The tax is then 26% of a positive gain.

The exemptions differ by asset:

Shares and financial assets — always taxed at 26% on the net gain (net your losses first).
Property — taxed at 26% only if sold within five years of purchase. If held more than five years, or used as your main residence for most of the ownership period, the gain is exempt.

A loss (proceeds below cost) produces no tax.

Example

Selling shares bought for EUR 20,000 at EUR 32,000 gives a EUR 12,000 gain, taxed at 26% = EUR 3,120. A holiday flat bought for EUR 150,000 and sold for EUR 180,000 after three years has a EUR 30,000 plusvalenza taxed at 26% = EUR 7,800 — but the same flat sold after six years, or a main home sold any time, would be exempt.

Notes

Special regimes exist for qualified shareholdings, regulated savings (PIR), pension funds and government bonds (which are taxed at a reduced 12.5%). Net financial losses can be carried forward to offset future gains. This tool covers the common 26% case; confirm edge cases with a commercialista.