Crypto Tax Calculator 2026
Calculate capital gains tax on crypto trades, staking income, and more.
Your Info
Transactions
Total Crypto Tax
$2,334
Effective Rate: 29.2%
Short-Term
$0
Long-Term
$1,050
Staking Tax
$220
NIIT
$0
Gains Summary
Disclaimer
- Starting 2026, brokers must report crypto via 1099-DA.
- Wash sale rules may apply to crypto in the future.
- DeFi swaps, airdrops, and forks may have additional tax events.
- Consult a crypto-savvy tax professional.
How the IRS Taxes Cryptocurrency in 2026
The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property, not currency. Every sale, trade, or exchange is a taxable event. If you bought Bitcoin at $30,000 and sold at $50,000, you owe capital gains tax on the $20,000 profit. The rate depends on how long you held the asset — over 12 months qualifies for lower long-term capital gains rates (0%, 15%, or 20%), while shorter holding periods are taxed as ordinary income (up to 37%).
Taxable Crypto Events
- Selling crypto for USD — capital gain or loss
- Trading crypto for crypto (BTC → ETH) — taxable event
- Staking/mining rewards — taxed as ordinary income when received
- NFT sales — capital gains on profit
- DeFi yield farming — ordinary income on rewards
- Airdrops — ordinary income at fair market value
New for 2026: Form 1099-DA
Starting in 2026, cryptocurrency exchanges must report transactions to the IRS via Form 1099-DA. This means the IRS will know about your crypto sales whether you report them or not. Accurate record-keeping of your cost basis is more important than ever.
Cost Basis Methods
Your choice of cost basis method affects how much tax you owe. FIFO (First In, First Out) sells your oldest coins first, which typically results in long-term gains. LIFO (Last In, First Out) sells recent purchases first. Specific Identification lets you choose which lots to sell, giving the most control over your tax outcome. HIFO (Highest In, First Out) minimizes gains by selling the most expensive coins first.
Tax-Loss Harvesting for Crypto
If you have crypto positions at a loss, you can sell them to realize the loss and offset gains. Unlike stocks, crypto is not currently subject to wash sale rules, meaning you can immediately rebuy the same cryptocurrency. However, Congress may extend wash sale rules to crypto — monitor legislative changes.
Staking and Mining Income
Staking rewards and mining income are taxed as ordinary income at the fair market value when received. You then have a cost basis equal to that value. If the price rises before you sell, you'll owe additional capital gains tax on the appreciation.
2026 Capital Gains Tax Rates on Crypto
| Holding Period | Tax Rate (Single) | Example: $50K Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Under 12 months | 10–37% (ordinary income) | $6,000–$18,500 |
| Over 12 months | 0%, 15%, or 20% | $0–$10,000 |
| NIIT surcharge | +3.8% if income > $200K | +$1,900 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I owe tax if I just held crypto and didn't sell?
No. Simply holding cryptocurrency is not a taxable event. You only owe tax when you sell, trade, or receive crypto as income (staking, mining, airdrops).
What if I lost money on crypto?
You can deduct capital losses against gains. If losses exceed gains, you can deduct up to $3,000 per year against ordinary income, and carry forward the rest to future years.