Nástroje, automatizace a praxe
Investor's Tax Calendar: What to Handle and When Throughout the Year
Key takeaways
- In the Czech Republic, the tax return must be filed by 1 April (or 1 July with a tax adviser or data box).
- Track the three-year test: selling ETFs or equities after 3 years is generally exempt from income tax.
- Dividends from foreign funds are subject to withholding tax in the source country — check whether a double-taxation treaty applies.
- Losses on the sale of securities can be offset against gains in the same tax year.
- Year-end is a good time for tax harvesting — consider selling loss-making positions before 31 December.
An investor's tax calendar is an overview of key deadlines and ongoing obligations that determine how much of your returns the state keeps. Knowing them in advance saves both money and stress.
All year, on an ongoing basis
- Record every purchase and sale with the date and price — without this, neither the return nor the tax can be calculated
- Track which positions are approaching the three-year test (in the Czech Republic, generally exempt from personal income tax after 3 years of holding)
- Store brokerage statements as they arrive — not just in March
October–December: tax harvesting
Year-end is the ideal time to check whether you have any open loss-making positions. Tax harvesting means selling a loss-making position before 31 December, realising the loss, and offsetting it against gains in the same year — thereby reducing your tax base. The position can then be repurchased immediately — Czech law does not tax a repurchase as the US wash-sale rule does (that rule does not apply in the Czech Republic). Verify the exact conditions with a tax adviser.
January: stocktake for the previous year
Download the annual statement from each broker. Calculate the total realised gain and loss for the past year. Separate dividends — these may be subject to withholding tax abroad. Check whether your broker withholds tax on your behalf or whether you must declare it yourself. More on ETF taxes in the Czech Republic.
February–March: preparing the return
Draw up a profit and loss statement for securities. Prepare documentation for foreign dividends (for foreign withholding tax). Check whether the exemption applies to your sales. Filing deadline: 1 April, or 1 July if a tax adviser is filing or you submit via a data box. Verify deadlines with the current guidance from the Czech Financial Administration.
FAQ
When do I need to file a tax return as an investor?
The basic deadline is 1 April. If you file through a tax adviser or have a data box, the deadline extends to 1 July. These dates apply to standard natural persons — always verify the current wording on the Czech Financial Administration website.
What is the three-year test and how do I use it?
If you hold securities (ETFs, equities) for more than 3 years, the gain on their sale is generally exempt from personal income tax in the Czech Republic. The test runs from the purchase date. Each purchase has its own deadline — with a DCA strategy, track the date of every individual transaction.
Do I need to pay tax on dividends from UCITS ETFs?
It depends on the fund type. An accumulating ETF reinvests dividends — taxation occurs only on the sale of units. A distributing ETF pays out dividends — these may be subject to foreign withholding tax and must be declared in the Czech Republic. More in the article on <a data-go="#/clanek/akumulacni-vs-distribucni">accumulating vs. distributing ETFs</a>.