Hungary has a low headline corporate tax and a high VAT rate. As of 24 September 2025, corporate income tax is a flat 9 percent, the lowest in the European Union, the standard VAT rate is 27 percent, the highest in the EU, with reduced rates of 18 and 5 percent, and most companies also pay local business tax to their municipality of up to 2 percent on adjusted net sales revenue. Your business account is where these are paid and collected, so keeping clean records and the right currency setup matters. This is general information, not tax advice, so confirm your position with a Hungarian tax adviser or the tax authority.
- Corporate income tax
- Flat 9 percent, the lowest in the EU, as of 24 September 2025
- VAT, ÁFA
- Standard 27 percent, reduced 18 and 5 percent, as of 24 September 2025
- Local business tax, HIPA
- Set by the municipality, up to 2 percent of adjusted net sales revenue
- Get advice
- Confirm your obligations with a Hungarian tax adviser or the tax authority.
General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.
The main business taxes in Hungary
Three taxes shape most Hungarian companies, corporate income tax on profit, VAT on sales, and a local business tax to the municipality. The mix is unusual, a very low corporate rate alongside the highest VAT rate in the European Union, so cash flow planning around VAT often matters more than the profit tax. Your business account is the practical hub for all of them, since tax is paid from it and VAT is collected through it.
Corporate income tax and local business tax
As of 24 September 2025, corporate income tax is a flat 9 percent on the tax base, the lowest headline rate in the European Union. On top of that, most companies pay local business tax, HIPA, to the municipality where they operate, set locally up to a legal maximum of 2 percent on adjusted net sales revenue. Because HIPA is charged on sales rather than profit, it applies even in a low profit year. Confirm the rate your municipality applies.
VAT
As of 24 September 2025, the standard VAT rate, ÁFA, is 27 percent, the highest in the EU, with reduced rates of 18 percent on items such as certain dairy, bakery and restaurant services and 5 percent on items such as most medicines and certain foods. VAT registered businesses charge VAT on sales, reclaim it on purchases, and file returns on a schedule that depends on size. The high rate makes the timing of VAT in and out of your account a real cash flow factor. Verify your registration and filing frequency with the tax authority.
How tax touches your business account
When setting up your account with Hungarian tax in mind, check these points, as of 24 September 2025. Verify with a tax adviser
- That the account registered with the tax authority for payments and refunds is current.
- That records separate VAT collected and reclaimable VAT clearly for each return.
- How foreign currency income converts to forint for VAT and corporate tax reporting.
How to stay on top of compliance
- Confirm which taxes apply to your activity, including VAT registration and the local business tax rate.
- Keep records that separate VAT, and reconcile the account to your bookkeeping each period.
- Confirm filing dates and your specific obligations with a Hungarian tax adviser or the tax authority.
Compare business accounts available in Hungary
These providers offer business accounts to customers registered in Hungary. Fees and eligibility shown as of 24 September 2025. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.
Compare business accounts →Questions about business banking in Hungary
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Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 24 September 2025. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.