Capital gains tax filing (PPDG-3R)

Capital gains tax in Serbia applies to every individual who sells shares, investment fund units, ETFs, bonds, or cryptocurrency for more than they paid. The rate is 15%, the tax is assessed by a Tax Administration decision, but the return itself, form PPDG-3R, must be filed by you, on time, with the gain calculated correctly. NOTA GROUP in Belgrade handles the entire filing: we review your broker or exchange statements, calculate the gain with currency conversion, prepare and submit the PPDG-3R form electronically, and archive the confirmation for you.

What counts as a capital gain and who files

A capital gain is the positive difference between the sale price and the acquisition price of an asset, determined under the Serbian Personal Income Tax Law. It arises when you sell shares on the Belgrade Stock Exchange or through foreign platforms such as Interactive Brokers, eToro, or Revolut, when you sell or exchange cryptocurrency, and when you redeem units in an investment fund. If the difference is negative, it is a capital loss, which you also report because it can be offset against gains in the same or later years.

Individuals file form PPDG-3R. Companies and entrepreneurs who keep books report capital gains in the corporate tax balance and the PDP return, which is handled through their bookkeeping. We explain the rules with examples in our article on capital gains tax in Serbia and the PPDG-3R form.

PPDG-3R filing deadlines

Deadlines depend on the type of asset. For securities and investment fund units the return is filed for each half-year, within 30 days of its end: transactions from the first half of the year are reported by the end of July, and transactions from the second half by the end of January of the following year. For digital assets the deadline is 120 days from the end of the quarter in which the income was realized. For real estate and stakes in companies the deadline is 30 days from the transfer.

Late filing triggers interest and possible penalties under the Law on Tax Procedure and Tax Administration. That is why we keep the calendar and remind you early enough to gather the statements.

How the process works, step by step

First, you send us the statements from the platforms you traded on, purchase and sale confirmations, and, for crypto, the transaction history from the exchange or wallet. Everything is exchanged digitally through a secure channel.

We then match every sale with the corresponding purchase, convert the amounts into dinars at the official exchange rate on the transaction date, and determine the gain or loss for each position. For cryptocurrency and frequent trading this is the most demanding part, because platforms rarely produce reports that fit Serbian rules.

Next, we check whether you have unused losses from prior periods that can be offset against the current gain and whether you qualify for any exemption provided by law. We complete the PPDG-3R form, file it electronically through the ePorezi portal, and send you the receipt. When the Tax Administration issues its decision, we verify the amount and explain how and when to pay.

Why file through NOTA GROUP

We work in Serbian, English, and Russian, which matters for foreign nationals who are tax residents of Serbia and trade through international brokers. You deal directly with the accountant handling your file, not with a form you fill in alone. For questions about tax residency, double tax treaties, or the treatment of complex instruments, our tax consulting team is available. After filing you receive an archived set of documents to keep in case of a later inquiry.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to report a capital loss?

Yes, the return is filed whether the result is a gain or a loss. A reported loss can be offset against gains in subsequent years within the period set by law.

How is the gain calculated when I trade in foreign currency?

The acquisition and sale values are converted into dinars at the official exchange rate on the date of each transaction. Exchange rate movements can therefore increase or reduce the taxable gain even when the result in euros or dollars looks different.

What if I missed the deadline for a previous period?

File as soon as possible, because interest runs from the date the obligation became due. We help you submit late returns for missed periods and put your records in order going forward.

I trade often. Is a return filed for every transaction?

No, one return covers all transactions in the reporting period. You send us the statements, we calculate each position and consolidate them into a single filing. Book a consultation, send us your statements, and we take it from there.