Last updated 2026-06-27
Tax Reclaim vs Broker relief-at-source
Broker relief-at-source is a broker / custodian process: Getting the reduced treaty rate applied at source through your broker or custodian (e.g. Interactive Brokers, Clearstream), using tax certification rather than a separate reclaim. Tax Reclaim is the self-service alternative: you file the treaty forms yourself and keep the whole refund. Essential is €9.99/year for one country-year filing package across 98 source countries, Pro is €29/year for unlimited packages, and neither takes a percentage of what you recover.
At a glance
| Tax Reclaim | Broker relief-at-source | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | €9.99/year Essential or €29/year Pro (free calculator tier) | Free / bundled into custody (no separate consumer fee) |
| You keep 100% of the refund | Yes — flat fee, no percentage | Yes (no separate fee) |
| Country / form coverage | 98 countries (incl. 10 Eastern-European), 56 forms | Market-by-market (relief-at-source documented per market by custodians) |
| Interest income, not just dividends | Yes | Dividends + interest |
| Retail self-serve | Yes | Managed service |
| No broker credentials / portfolio linking | Yes — you enter figures manually | N/A (works via custodian) |
Where Broker relief-at-source is strong
- Cheapest path when it works — the reduced rate is applied automatically, no filing
- No third-party data sharing; it's your existing broker
- Covers both dividends and interest
Where Tax Reclaim wins
- Many brokers (incl. Interactive Brokers) do NOT auto-reclaim excess tax — they tell you to file with the tax authority yourself
- Only reduces the rate going forward; historical over-withholding still needs a manual reclaim
- Relief-at-source is often unavailable to retail investors
Who each is for
Choose Broker relief-at-source if: Getting the correct treaty rate applied prospectively via the broker.
Choose Tax Reclaim if: Tax Reclaim fills exactly the gap brokers leave — it generates the actual reclaim forms (Form 5001, Model 210, RF-1534, Form 70…) for the historical excess tax your broker tells you to 'consult an advisor' about.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Broker relief-at-source?
For retail investors reclaiming foreign dividend or interest withholding tax, Tax Reclaim is the self-service alternative: €9.99/year for one country-year filing package, no success fee, so the refund arrives whole. Broker relief-at-source remains a strong choice getting the correct treaty rate applied prospectively via the broker.
How does Tax Reclaim pricing compare to Broker relief-at-source?
Tax Reclaim is €9.99/year essential or €29/year pro (free calculator tier). Broker relief-at-source: Free / bundled into custody (no separate consumer fee) (this figure is not publicly published, as of 2026-07-06).
Who is Broker relief-at-source best for?
Getting the correct treaty rate applied prospectively via the broker. It is less ideal for recovering past over-withheld tax the broker won't reclaim for you.
Competitor details researched 2026-07-06 from: Interactive Brokers — Tax Treaties, Clearstream — market coverage. Pricing and features change — verify with the provider before deciding.
See what you can reclaim — free
Essential covers one country-year filing package for €9.99/year. Pro covers unlimited packages for €29/year. Both are flat and tax included, so no part of the refund goes to a success fee.
Calculate my reclaim