DBX0AN

The DBX0AN and taxes

This page covers the tax situation for private investors in Germany only. Different rules may apply in other countries.

ℹ️ The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute tax advice. If you have questions about your personal tax situation, please consult a tax advisor.

Which tax applies to the DBX0AN?

Gains from the DBX0AN are subject to Abgeltungssteuer, Germany's flat-rate capital gains tax. It amounts to 25% plus the solidarity surcharge (5.5% of the tax) and church tax if applicable. The effective tax rate is therefore around 26.375% without church tax.

Is there a partial exemption (Teilfreistellung)?

No. The DBX0AN is not an equity fund and therefore does not benefit from the 30% partial exemption. Income from the DBX0AN is fully subject to Abgeltungssteuer.

What is the Vorabpauschale?

The DBX0AN is an accumulating ETF. Since it does not make distributions, the state levies an advance lump-sum tax called the Vorabpauschale. It ensures that tax is also paid on income that is not distributed.

The Vorabpauschale is calculated annually at the start of the following year. Its amount depends on the base rate (Basiszins) set by the Federal Ministry of Finance.

When you sell the ETF, the Vorabpauschale you have already paid is offset against the Abgeltungssteuer on your capital gain. So you do not pay the tax twice.

What is the Sparerpauschbetrag?

Investment income of up to 1,000€ per person (2,000€ for jointly assessed couples) is tax-free thanks to the saver's allowance (Sparerpauschbetrag). To stop the broker from automatically withholding the tax, you need to set up an exemption order (Freistellungsauftrag) with your broker.

When do I need to declare the DBX0AN in my tax return?

If an exemption order (Freistellungsauftrag) is in place and your income does not exceed the saver's allowance, you generally do not need to declare anything in your tax return. The broker withholds the Abgeltungssteuer automatically.

If you have no exemption order or have paid too much tax, you can declare the income in the Anlage KAP section of your tax return and reclaim any excess tax.

With a German broker such as SMARTBROKER+ *, the Abgeltungssteuer is automatically paid to the tax office. An exemption order can be set up directly with the broker.

DBX0AN or Tagesgeld - which is better for taxes?

Tax-wise, the DBX0AN has no advantage over Tagesgeld. Both are taxed at the full Abgeltungssteuer rate (26.375%). No partial exemption applies to the DBX0AN.

The tax difference lies not in the taxation itself but in the timing: with Tagesgeld, tax on interest income is due immediately. With the accumulating DBX0AN, tax is levied via the Vorabpauschale, with the rest due only when you sell. This can have a small deferral effect. More on the general comparison on our DBX0AN vs. Tagesgeld page.

Note: all tax information on this page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute individual tax advice. We accept no liability for the correctness, completeness or currency of the tax information. Tax treatment depends on the personal circumstances of each investor and may change in the future. For advice tailored to your situation, please consult a tax advisor or your local tax office (Finanzamt).

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