Taxation in Hungary

Taxation in Hungary (2017), Source: Deloitte.[1]
Corporate income tax rate 9%
Branch tax rate 9%
Minimum tax Applied to 2% of adjusted gross profit
Capital gains tax rate 9%
Tax basis Worldwide income
Participation exemption Yes
Loss relief Carryforward: Indefinite, but limitations apply
Carryback: Generally not available
Double taxation relief Yes
Tax consolidation For VAT purposes
Transfer pricing rules Yes
Thin capitalization rules Yes (ratio 3:1)
Controlled foreign corp. rules Yes
Tax year Calendar year,
but different fiscal year may be elected
Advance payment of tax Monthly/quarterly
Return due date Last day of the fifth month
following of the end of the fiscal year
Withholding tax Dividends: 0%
Interest: 0%
Royalties: 0%
Branch remittance tax: 0%
Social security contributions 13% of gross wages for the employer
(from 2022)
Capital tax No
Building tax/land tax May apply at municipal level
Real estate transfer tax 4% up to a value of HUF 1bn (€3.3 million)
and 2% on the excess,
capped at HUF 200 million (€0.65 million)
Local business tax maximum 2% of net sales revenue
Innovation contribution 0.3%
Financial transaction tax 0.3% of transferred amount
maximum HUF 6000 (€20)
VAT 27% (standard), 18%, 5%
Hungary quick tax facts for Individuals (2017), Source: Deloitte.[1]
Income tax rate 15%
Capital gains tax rate 15%
Tax basis Worldwide income
Double taxation relief Yes
Tax year Calendar year
Return due date 20 May
(Tax authority prepares it electronically
to everyone automatically)
Withholding tax Dividends: 15%
Interest: 15%
Royalties: 15%
Healthcare contribution 14% or 22% on some income
maximum annual HUF 450 000 (€1460)
Social security contributions 18.5% of gross wages for the employee
Net wealth tax No
Inheritance and gift tax 9% or 18%
Real estate tax May apply at municipal level
VAT 27% (standard), 18%, 5%

Taxation in Hungary is levied by both national and local governments. Tax revenue in Hungary stood at 38.4% of GDP in 2017.[2] The most important revenue sources include the income tax, Social security, corporate tax and the value added tax, which are all applied at the national level. Among the total tax income the ratio of local taxes is solely 5% while the EU average is 30%.[3]

Income tax in Hungary is levied at a flat rate of 15%. Additionally there are two others taxes levied on income, a "social security contribution" of 18.5% and an "employer's tax" of 13%. Thus the effective income tax is a flat rate of 46.5%.[4] A tax allowance is given through a family allowance (Hungarian: családi adókedvezmény), which is equal to the allowance multiplied by the number of "beneficiary dependent children". For one or two children the allowance is HUF 62,500 per child, for three or more HUF 206,250 per child.[5] The allowance can be split between spouses or life partners.

The standard rate of value added tax is 27% as of January 2012 — the highest in the European Union.[6] There is a reduced rate of 5% for most medicines and some food products, and a reduced rate of 18% for internet connections, restaurants and catering, dairy and bakery products, hotel services and admission to short-term open-air events.[7]

In January 2017, corporate tax was unified at a rate of 9% — the lowest in the European Union.[8] Dividends received are not subject to taxation, provided that are not received from a Controlled Foreign Company (CFC). Capital gains are included in corporate tax, with certain exemptions.[9]

Capital gains are taxed at a flat rate of 15%.[10]

EU VAT tax rates
  1. ^ a b "Taxation and Investment in Hungary (rates are updated to 2017)" (PDF). Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  2. ^ "Tax to GDP". 2018-12-03.
  3. ^ "Adózás (Taxation)" (in Hungarian). Retrieved 18 January 2010.
  4. ^ Sarkadi, Zsuzsanna (2022-01-06). "Salaries and payroll taxes in 2022, Hungary". HELPERS. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  5. ^ "Family Allowance 2014". angloinfo.com. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Deloitte Tax News » Hungary: Corporate Income Tax and VAT changes 2012". Deloittetax.at. 1 January 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  7. ^ "VAT 2014 KPMG". KPMG. 2019-08-07.
  8. ^ "Hungary to offer EU's lowest corporate tax rate". Financial Times. 17 November 2016.
  9. ^ "Residency and Incorporation in Hungary". flagtheory.com. 2017-01-30. Retrieved 2017-04-20.
  10. ^ "Capital gains tax". clearstream.com.