Crypto Tax Calculator

The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property, not currency. When you sell, trade, or dispose of crypto, any gain or loss is subject to capital gains tax. Short-term gains (held under 1 year) are taxed as ordinary income, while long-term gains (held over 1 year) qualify for lower preferential rates of 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your income.

Short-term capital gains apply when you sell crypto held for one year or less — these are taxed at your ordinary income tax rate, which can be as high as 37%. Long-term capital gains apply when you hold for more than one year and are taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20% based on your taxable income and filing status. Holding crypto longer can significantly reduce your tax bill.

No — if you sold crypto at a loss, you do not owe capital gains tax on that transaction. In fact, capital losses can be used to offset capital gains from other transactions, reducing your overall tax liability. If your losses exceed your gains, you can deduct up to $3,000 of net capital losses against ordinary income per year, with excess losses carried forward.

Your cost basis is the original value of your cryptocurrency at the time of purchase, including any fees paid to acquire it. When you sell, your capital gain or loss is calculated as the sale proceeds minus your cost basis. Accurately tracking your cost basis — including investment fees — is essential for correct tax reporting.

Every crypto-to-crypto trade (e.g. swapping Bitcoin for Ethereum) is a taxable event in the US. You must calculate the fair market value of the coin you received at the time of the trade and compare it against your cost basis in the coin you sold. The difference is your capital gain or loss, subject to the same short-term or long-term rates.

This calculator estimates capital gains tax from buying and selling cryptocurrency. NFT sales follow similar capital gains rules, and DeFi rewards (like staking or yield farming income) are generally treated as ordinary income at fair market value when received. For complex DeFi or NFT portfolios, dedicated crypto tax software or a qualified accountant is recommended.

A crypto tax calculator gives you a solid estimate of your tax liability and helps you plan, but it is not a substitute for professional tax advice if your situation is complex. If you have hundreds of transactions, DeFi activity, NFTs, or international exchange accounts, consulting a crypto-savvy CPA can ensure full compliance and help identify additional deductions.

Your crypto tax rate depends on your holding period, filing status, and total taxable income. Short-term rates mirror ordinary income brackets (10%–37%). Long-term rates are 0% for lower-income filers, 15% for most middle-income filers, and 20% for high earners. State taxes also apply in most states, ranging from 0% (Texas, Florida) to over 13% (California).