Dividend taxation in Estonia from 2025: when and how to distribute dividends and when tax-free redistribution is possible.
From 16 February, the filing of 2025 income tax returns begins. As usual, a tax return must be filed if, during the year, you received income on which Estonian income tax was not withheld, or if you wish to claim tax reliefs.
The year 2026 will bring several significant tax changes across the Baltic States, affecting both businesses and individuals. In this overview, Grant Thornton Baltic tax experts summarise the key tax developments in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – covering income tax, VAT, social taxes and excise duties, among others.
The new year will bring changes to tax legislation which will affect both companies and individuals. Below is an overview of the main tax changes that will enter into force in 2026, as well as changes already adopted and entered into force during 2025.
The “tax hump” that has been in place for eight years will be abolished, and starting from 1 January 2026 a uniform basic tax exemption of €700 per month (€8,400 per year) will apply regardless of a person’s income level. For those of retirement age, a slightly higher exemption will continue to apply—€9,312 per year.
The Defense Tax Act, adopted at the end of last year and widely debated due to the proposed taxation of corporate profits, has been repealed. Instead, permanently increased tax rates will now apply to value-added tax (VAT), income tax, and business income tax.
From 1 July 2025 the standard VAT rate will be 24%.
Kristjan Järve and Madis Laas discussed the necessity of the recently published guidelines by the Tax and Customs Board and the process of their preparation in the show "Kasvukursil".
Lithuania is planning a comprehensive tax reform for 2026 aimed at strengthening national defense funding and supporting economic development. Grant Thornton Lithuania tax specialist Vykintas Valiulis has prepared a detailed overview on the topic.
On December 11 2024, the Parliament of Estonia passed the Defence Tax Act, which will apply to individuals, companies, and non-residents earning taxable income in Estonia.
The details of the defense tax that will take a bite out of corporate profits appear to be rife with inequality and unfairness, and a closer look reveals situations where taxes must be paid by those who haven’t turned an actual profit.
Starting 1 January 2024, a global minimum tax obligation is in effect for large multinational enterprise groups with consolidated revenue of more than 750 million euros in European Union member states and many third countries (such as UK, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, Singapore etc.)
On 25 September 2024, the Estonian government submitted a draft law on the defense tax to the Parliament, which introduces a temporary defense tax consisting of three components, including a 2% tax on corporate profits. Most companies will have to pay the defense tax for the first time on 10 September 2026.
Last year, an amendment to the Commercial Register Act was passed, which meant more fines for companies for the purpose of making the Estonian business environment more transparent.
Grant Thornton Baltic provided consultation to OptiPRO OÜ, which operates a retail chain of optometry stores under the brand Pro Optika and acquired the holding company of the Pere Optika chain, Optiland Eesti OÜ. After receiving a merger permit from the Competition Authority, the transaction was completed on June 10, 2024, and OptiPRO OÜ acquired a stake in Optiland Eesti OÜ.