US Crypto Tax Calculator
Estimate your US federal crypto tax using IRS 2026 brackets. Applies short-term ordinary income rates for holdings under 12 months, long-term 0% / 15% / 20% capital gains rates for holdings over 12 months, and the Net Investment Income Tax. Runs entirely in your browser — your figures stay private.
How the IRS Taxes Crypto
The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property, not currency. Every disposal — selling for USD, swapping one token for another, using crypto to pay for goods or services, or gifting above the annual exclusion — is a taxable event. You calculate gain or loss as proceeds minus cost basis (what you paid plus fees and any capitalised costs).
The tax rate depends on your holding period. Short-term gains (assets held 12 months or less) are taxed at your ordinary income tax rates (10% to 37% for 2026). Long-term gains (held more than 12 months) get preferential rates of 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your taxable income.
Short-Term vs Long-Term Capital Gains
The 12-month holding line is the single biggest lever for US crypto investors. A $10,000 short-term gain at the 24% bracket costs $2,400 in tax. The same gain held 12 months and one day, with taxable income of $100,000 single, drops to the 15% long-term rate and $1,500 in tax — a 37.5% saving.
High earners may also owe the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) on top of regular capital gains tax when modified AGI exceeds $200,000 single or $250,000 married filing jointly. This applies to the lesser of your net investment income or the MAGI amount over the threshold.
Form 8949 and Schedule D
Every crypto disposal must be listed on Form 8949 with acquisition date, disposal date, proceeds, cost basis, and gain or loss. Short-term dispositions go in Part I, long-term in Part II. Totals flow to Schedule D, which summarises all capital gains and losses for the year. Schedule D then flows to Form 1040.
Starting 2025 tax year, US brokers (Coinbase, Kraken, etc.) issue Form 1099-DA reporting your crypto proceeds to the IRS. Your return must match these filings or you risk an automated under-reporter notice.
Wash Sales, Losses, and Carry-Forwards
Current IRS rules do not apply the wash-sale rule to crypto (though legislation has been repeatedly proposed). Capital losses first offset capital gains of the same type, then the opposite type, then up to $3,000 of ordinary income per year ($1,500 if married filing separately). Excess losses carry forward indefinitely.
Last updated: April 2026. Based on IRS Notice 2014-21, Rev. Rul. 2019-24, and 2026 inflation-adjusted brackets. Estimate only — not tax advice.