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Crypto & tax

Crypto Tax Calculator

Estimate your crypto capital-gains tax with FIFO, LIFO, or HIFO cost basis — split into short- and long-term at 2026 federal rates.

Cost-basis method — changes which lots are sold
Transactions4
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Estimated tax owedFIFO
$1,860
short-term gains$3,000
long-term gains$8,000
short-term tax$660
long-term tax$1,200
total gains
$11,000
estimated tax
$1,860
effective rate
16.9%
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Selling crypto at a $20,000 profit after holding it more than a year costs about $3,000 in federal tax for a single filer earning $80,000 — an effective 15.0%. Sell inside a year and the same gain costs $4,400.

Every disposal is taxable, not just cashing out to dollars — swapping one coin for another and spending crypto both count, and each lot has its own holding period. Figures are 2026 federal only; state tax comes on top.

How crypto capital gains are calculated

The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property. Each time you sell, swap, or spend crypto you realize a capital gain or loss equal to proceeds minus your cost basis. Your cost-basis method decides which purchase lot is matched to each sale.

capital gain = proceeds − cost basis (of the matched lot)

Held one year or less, the gain is short-term and taxed at your ordinary income rate. Held longer than a year, it's long-term at preferential 0/15/20% rates. This tool stacks your gains on top of your other income to estimate the tax; losses offset gains.

Common questions

How is crypto taxed in the US?
The IRS treats crypto as property. You owe capital-gains tax when you sell, trade, or spend it — the gain is your proceeds minus your cost basis. Simply buying and holding isn't taxable.
What's the difference between FIFO, LIFO, and HIFO?
They decide which lot you're deemed to sell. FIFO sells your oldest coins first, LIFO your newest, and HIFO your highest-cost first. HIFO usually minimizes gains, but you must use your method consistently and keep records.
Short-term vs long-term capital gains?
Held one year or less: short-term, taxed at your ordinary income rate. Held more than a year: long-term, taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your total income — often a big saving.
Do I owe tax if I only bought crypto?
No. Buying and holding creates no taxable event. Tax is triggered when you dispose of crypto — selling for cash, swapping one coin for another, or spending it.

Crypto tax calculators by state

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

How we calculate this

Per-lot matching (FIFO/LIFO/HIFO), 2026 ordinary brackets for short-term and 0/15/20% long-term rates, stacked on your other income. Estimates only — not tax advice.

Full methodology & sources →

Where to go next

Coins you were given rather than bought follow a different rule entirely — staking, mining and airdrops are ordinary income on arrival, taxed at your marginal rate.

Sitting on a position that is down? Crypto has no 30-day wash-sale rule, so you can realise the loss and rebuy immediately — though it defers the tax rather than erasing it.

Crypto is taxed as property, so the same federal rates apply to shares. Compare the tax on a conventional stock sale, including the 3.8% net investment income tax at higher incomes.

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Estimates are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute tax advice. Crypto tax rules are complex (wash sales, staking income, airdrops, gifts, and more are not modeled here). Consult a licensed tax professional and keep your own records.