Estonia has a highly competitive tax system, recognized for its simplicity and efficiency. Corporate income tax is 0% on retained earnings and 22% on distributed profits (22/78 on net amount). The standard VAT rate is 24%, with a reduced rate of 13% for hotel accommodation and 9% for books, periodicals, and pharmaceuticals. Estonia withholds no tax on dividends; interest and royalties paid to resident individuals are withheld at 22%, and payments to resident companies carry none. Non-residents are subject to a 10% withholding tax on royalties only. The personal income tax rate is 22%, and the social tax rate is 33%. The tax system's neutrality encourages reinvestment and economic growth.
Estonia does not have a separate capital gains tax; gains are taxed as regular income at the corporate rate when distributed.
Effective Tax Rate (ETR)
percent
Composite Effective Average Tax Rate:
18.7%
percent
Composite Effective Marginal Tax Rate:
0.0%
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Standard Corporate Income Tax Rate: In Estonia, resident enterprises are taxed on profits derived from global income distributions, while non-resident fixed institutions are taxed only on profits derived from Estonia income distributions. The company's undistributed profits are exempt from tax. Such exemptions include both active (e.g., trading) and passive (e.g., dividends, interest, royalties). It also includes capital gains from the sale of various assets including stocks, securities, and real estate. Distributed profits are generally subject to corporate income tax at 22% of the net profit distribution (22/78 on the net amount).
Payroll Tax: In addition to paying social tax, unemployment insurance, and mandatory cumulative retirement benefits, employers are required to deduct personal income tax, mandatory cumulative retirement schemes, and personal income tax at a rate of 22%.
Social security insurance: Employers operating in Estonia must contribute to social security insurance at a rate of 33% (20% for pension insurance and 13% for health insurance). There is no upper limit on the amount you can contribute. In addition to social taxes, unemployment insurance premiums are also paid. In 2025-2028 the employer pays 0.8% of the employee's salary and the employee pays 1.6%, withheld by the employer.
Mandatory Accumulation Pension Scheme If an employee joins a pension scheme, the employer withholds the employee's contribution of 2%, 4% or 6% of the salary. Under the Mandatory Cumulative Pension Scheme, resident employees born after December 31, 1982 must participate in the scheme. Resident employees born before this date can voluntarily join the program, and leaving the scheme is possible after joining.
Overview of import and export taxes: Many imported goods from outside the EU are subject to customs duties and excise duties. The tariffs and rates applied to different goods vary widely and change frequently. Excise duty is levied on certain consumer goods such as cigarettes, cigars, mineral oil, alcohol products. If it is used only as a raw material, no consumption tax is levied. If the goods are exported, the excise duty can be refunded.
Employers should withhold personal income tax (PIT) at the flat rate of 22% after deduction of the employee's contribution to unemployment insurance scheme, compulsory accumulative pension scheme, and, if relevant, personal deduction, which may be up to EUR 700 per month.
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