How is cryptocurrency taxed?

In most countries, selling, swapping, or spending crypto for more than your cost basis triggers a capital gain or loss. Mining, staking rewards, and some DeFi income may be taxed as income instead. This tool focuses on capital gains from disposals you enter.

Do I owe tax if I haven't withdrawn to my bank?

Converting crypto to fiat is a common taxable event, but many places also tax crypto-to-crypto swaps and purchases paid in crypto. You may owe tax even if funds never hit your bank account.

What is cost basis for crypto?

Cost basis is generally what you paid to acquire the asset, including certain fees, plus adjustments your tax rules require. Proceeds are what you received on disposal after selling fees. Gain = proceeds − cost basis.

How are long-term and short-term gains taxed in the US?

Assets held more than one year usually qualify for lower long-term capital gains rates (0%, 15%, or 20% federally). One year or less is short-term and taxed at ordinary income rates. Losses can offset gains and up to $3,000 of other income per year.

What is the UK crypto capital gains tax allowance for 2026/27?

For 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027, the annual exempt amount for individuals is £3,000. Gains above that are charged at 18% or 24% depending on your income band — the calculator applies those rates to your inputs.

Is swapping Bitcoin for Ethereum a taxable event?

In the US, UK, and many other countries, trading one crypto for another is typically treated as selling the first asset and buying the second, which can create a gain or loss. Record proceeds and basis for each leg.

Crypto Tax Calculator

Estimate how much tax you owe on crypto gains. Add your sales, and the calculator nets gains and losses and applies 2026 US federal rates (short- and long-term), UK 2026/27 Capital Gains Tax, or your own country's rate.

Your tax situation

Country

2026 tax year

Filing status

Annual income, excluding crypto (USD)

Before deductions. We apply the standard deduction.

Crypto sales this tax year

Add each sale, swap, or purchase paid in crypto. Cost basis is what you paid including fees; proceeds is what you received after fees.

Asset

Cost basis (USD)

Proceeds (USD)

+$8,000.00

Asset

Cost basis (USD)

Proceeds (USD)

-$800.00

Estimated tax

Tax owed on crypto: $1,080.00
Net gain: $7,200.00
Effective rate on gains: 15.0%
Gain after tax: $6,120.00

What the estimated tax means

“Tax owed on crypto” is the extra tax your disposals add on top of your ordinary income picture — not your whole tax bill. We net gains and losses across the sales you list, apply country-specific rules (US short/long-term rates, UK annual exempt amount, or a flat CGT %), and show an educational estimate. Real filings can differ when you have other income, state or local taxes, or specific cost-basis methods.

How we calculate it

Per sale: gain or loss = proceeds − cost basis. Net gain = sum of all disposal results (losses offset gains in the same year where rules allow). United States: split short-term (≤1 year) and long-term (>1 year) amounts, apply 2026 federal brackets after the standard deduction, long-term rates 0/15/20%, and NIIT when income exceeds thresholds. United Kingdom: subtract the £3,000 annual exempt amount (2026/27), then tax remaining gains at 18% or 24% depending on how much basic-rate band you have left. Custom country: estimated tax = max(0, net gain − allowance) × your rate %.

Worked examples

United States — mixed long- and short-term sales
Single filer, $60,000 wages (before standard deduction). BTC sold: $10,000 basis → $18,000 proceeds (held >1 year). ETH sold: $5,000 basis → $4,200 proceeds (held ≤1 year).
Long-term gain $8,000 + short-term loss $800 → net gain $7,200. Federal rules stack short- and long-term pieces on top of ordinary income and apply preferential long-term rates where eligible.
The calculator shows federal tax attributable to these crypto sales — use it to plan, then confirm with tax software or a CPA (state tax not included).
United Kingdom — gains above the exempt amount
Tax year 2026/27, £45,000 salary, one disposal with £14,000 net gain after pooling.
Annual exempt amount £3,000 → taxable gain £11,000. With basic-rate band remaining, part may be taxed at 18% and the rest at 24% depending on income.
Estimated CGT on the crypto disposal — HMRC same-day / 30-day / pooling rules can change the true basis.
Flat-rate country
Net gain €6,000 after two sales, €1,000 tax-free allowance, 30% CGT rate.
Taxable gain = €6,000 − €1,000 = €5,000. Tax ≈ €5,000 × 30% = €1,500.
Estimated €1,500 due — adjust allowance and rate to match your jurisdiction.

Frequently asked questions

How is cryptocurrency taxed?: In most countries, selling, swapping, or spending crypto for more than your cost basis triggers a capital gain or loss. Mining, staking rewards, and some DeFi income may be taxed as income instead. This tool focuses on capital gains from disposals you enter.
Do I owe tax if I haven't withdrawn to my bank?: Converting crypto to fiat is a common taxable event, but many places also tax crypto-to-crypto swaps and purchases paid in crypto. You may owe tax even if funds never hit your bank account.
What is cost basis for crypto?: Cost basis is generally what you paid to acquire the asset, including certain fees, plus adjustments your tax rules require. Proceeds are what you received on disposal after selling fees. Gain = proceeds − cost basis.
How are long-term and short-term gains taxed in the US?: Assets held more than one year usually qualify for lower long-term capital gains rates (0%, 15%, or 20% federally). One year or less is short-term and taxed at ordinary income rates. Losses can offset gains and up to $3,000 of other income per year.
What is the UK crypto capital gains tax allowance for 2026/27?: For 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027, the annual exempt amount for individuals is £3,000. Gains above that are charged at 18% or 24% depending on your income band — the calculator applies those rates to your inputs.
Is swapping Bitcoin for Ethereum a taxable event?: In the US, UK, and many other countries, trading one crypto for another is typically treated as selling the first asset and buying the second, which can create a gain or loss. Record proceeds and basis for each leg.

Related crypto tools

How it works

Choose your country and enter your other income — it decides which tax rate your gains fall into. In the US, also pick your filing status.
Add each crypto sale with its cost basis and proceeds. For the US, mark whether you held it more than one year; long-term gains get lower rates.
Gains and losses are netted, allowances and loss limits are applied, and you see the extra tax your crypto adds. This is an estimate, not tax advice.

For education only — not financial advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results.