Crypto Tax Calculator: Capital Gains on Cryptocurrency (2026)
Estimate how much tax you owe on cryptocurrency gains. The IRS treats crypto as property — selling, trading, or converting it are all taxable events. Short-term gains (held under 12 months) are taxed as ordinary income at 10–37%. Long-term gains (held over 12 months) are taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20%.
On this page: Calculator · Crypto tax rates · What counts as taxable · FAQs
Crypto tax calculator
Enter your cost basis, sale price, and tax rate to see your capital gain, estimated tax, and after-tax profit.
Use your short-term rate (your marginal income bracket: 10–37%) or long-term rate (0%, 15%, or 20% depending on income). See the rate table below if unsure.
Capital gain: $
Estimated tax: $
After-tax profit: $
Effective tax rate: %
Crypto capital gains tax rates (2026)
Long-term rates (held over 12 months)
| Filing Status | 0% Rate | 15% Rate | 20% Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | Up to $48,350 | $48,351–$533,400 | Over $533,400 |
| Married Filing Jointly | Up to $96,700 | $96,701–$600,050 | Over $600,050 |
| Head of Household | Up to $64,750 | $64,751–$566,700 | Over $566,700 |
High earners also owe 3.8% NIIT (Net Investment Income Tax) on crypto gains above $200,000 single / $250,000 married. Maximum effective rate on long-term gains: 23.8%.
Short-term rates (held 12 months or less)
Short-term crypto gains are taxed at your ordinary income marginal rate — the same bracket as your salary or wages: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, or 37%.
Tax on a $10,000 crypto gain — short vs long-term comparison
| Scenario | Tax Rate | Tax Owed | After-Tax Profit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-term, 22% bracket | 22% | $2,200 | $7,800 |
| Short-term, 32% bracket | 32% | $3,200 | $6,800 |
| Long-term, low income (0%) | 0% | $0 | $10,000 |
| Long-term, 15% rate | 15% | $1,500 | $8,500 |
| Long-term, 20% rate + NIIT | 23.8% | $2,380 | $7,620 |
What counts as a taxable cryptocurrency event?
| Event | Taxable? | Tax Type |
|---|---|---|
| Selling crypto for USD | ✓ Yes | Capital gains (short or long-term) |
| Trading crypto for crypto (e.g., BTC → ETH) | ✓ Yes | Capital gains on the disposed asset |
| Using crypto to buy goods/services | ✓ Yes | Capital gains at FMV on transaction date |
| Receiving crypto as payment/income | ✓ Yes | Ordinary income at FMV on receipt date |
| Mining or staking rewards | ✓ Yes | Ordinary income at FMV when received |
| Receiving crypto as a gift | ✗ Not at receipt | Capital gains when sold (donor's basis carries over) |
| Simply holding crypto | ✗ No | No tax until disposed |
| Transferring between your own wallets | ✗ No | Not a taxable event |
Transaction fees paid in crypto are deductible from the gain — add fees to your cost basis and subtract fees from the sale price when calculating your gain.
Filing taxes with crypto gains?
Crypto disposals require Form 8949 and Schedule D. These tools handle cryptocurrency tax reporting automatically:
- TurboTax — imports crypto transactions and generates Form 8949 automatically
- H&R Block — file with a tax professional for complex crypto or multi-exchange situations
- FreeTaxUSA — handles Schedule D capital gains at low cost
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Related calculators
- Capital gains tax calculator Estimate tax on stocks, ETFs, and other asset sales — same rates apply to crypto
- Home sale tax calculator Estimate capital gains tax on real estate after the $250k/$500k exclusion
- RSU tax calculator Estimate tax on vesting RSUs — ordinary income at vesting, capital gains on appreciation
- Side income tax calculator If you receive crypto as payment or freelance income, estimate the tax impact
- Marginal vs effective tax rate How bracket stacking works when crypto gains are added to your salary
Crypto tax calculator: FAQs
How are cryptocurrency gains taxed in 2026?
The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property. Selling, trading, or converting crypto are taxable events subject to capital gains tax. Short-term gains (held under 12 months) are taxed as ordinary income at your marginal rate (10%–37%). Long-term gains (held over 12 months) are taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on taxable income. For 2026, single filers pay 0% long-term CGT up to $48,350, 15% up to $533,400, and 20% above that.
What is the crypto tax rate for 2026?
For 2026, short-term crypto gains are taxed at your ordinary income rate (10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, or 37%). Long-term crypto gains (held over 12 months) are taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20%. Single filers with income under $48,350 pay 0% on long-term gains. High earners above $200,000 also owe the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) on top of the regular rate — bringing the maximum effective long-term rate to 23.8%.
Do I pay tax when I trade one cryptocurrency for another?
Yes. The IRS treats trading one cryptocurrency for another (e.g., Bitcoin for Ethereum) as a taxable disposal of the first asset. You recognize a capital gain or loss based on the fair market value of the crypto received minus your cost basis in the crypto disposed of. This applies even if you never convert to US dollars.
Is selling crypto always taxable?
Yes, in almost all cases. Selling crypto for USD, trading crypto for crypto, using crypto to purchase goods or services, and receiving crypto as payment are all taxable events. Receiving crypto as a gift is generally not taxable at the time of receipt, but selling the gifted crypto triggers capital gains. Simply holding crypto is not taxable.
Are crypto losses tax deductible?
Yes. Capital losses from cryptocurrency can offset capital gains of the same type, then gains of the other type, then up to $3,000 of ordinary income per year. Unused losses carry forward to future tax years indefinitely. Unlike stocks, the wash-sale rule does not currently apply to cryptocurrency, so you can sell at a loss and immediately repurchase the same asset to reset your cost basis while still claiming the loss.
Does holding crypto long-term reduce my tax?
Yes, significantly. Holding a crypto asset for at least one year and one day before selling qualifies the gain for long-term capital gains rates (0%, 15%, or 20%) instead of ordinary income rates (up to 37%). On a $10,000 gain at 22% marginal rate, switching from short-term to long-term saves approximately $700 in federal tax. At 32%, the savings would be approximately $1,700.
Does this crypto tax calculator include transaction fees?
No. This calculator does not include exchange fees or transaction costs. To calculate your true gain, subtract transaction fees from the sale price and add them to the cost basis. For example, if you bought Bitcoin for $5,000 plus $50 in fees, your cost basis is $5,050 — reducing your taxable gain by $50.
Is this calculator tax or financial advice?
No. This tool provides general estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.