Crypto Tax Calculator

Calculate capital gains tax on cryptocurrency trades. Short-term vs long-term with NIIT calculation.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: IRS — Digital Assets

$
$
Holding Period
$

Capital Gain

$15,000.00

Tax Rate

15.0%

Estimated Tax

$2,250.00

Net Proceeds

$22,750.00

Tax Breakdown

Cost Basis$10,000.00
Sale Proceeds$25,000.00
Capital Gain$15,000.00
Tax TypeLong-Term Capital Gains
Effective Tax Rate15.00%
Net After Tax$22,750.00

Use the Crypto Tax Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

Capital gains on cryptocurrency trades split into short-term and long-term buckets, and the calculator works out the tax owed on each. Getting the split right is central to an accurate 2026 filing, particularly as the IRS sharpens its focus on digital asset activity and the way these gains stack onto your wider tax picture.

Assets sold within a year of purchase count as short-term and face ordinary income rates, while those held beyond a year qualify for the lower long-term rates. On top of that, the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) of 3.8% applies to whichever is smaller: your net investment income, or the amount your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) clears the 2026 thresholds of $250,000 for married filing jointly and $200,000 for single filers.

Crypto sits outside the 'wash sale' rules for now, but that is no reason to skimp on recordkeeping, so log the cost basis, acquisition date, sale date, and proceeds for every transaction. Misclassifying a trade or leaving one off the return is exactly the kind of error that invites penalties and interest from the IRS.

Example: Calculating 2026 Crypto Capital Gains for a Married Couple

  1. 1 Step 1: Input your 2026 data. Assume a married couple filing jointly with a MAGI of $300,000. They have short-term crypto gains of $15,000 and long-term crypto gains of $25,000.
  2. 2 Step 2: Calculate ordinary income tax on short-term gains and preferential tax on long-term gains based on their income bracket. Then, determine the NIIT. Total net investment income is $15,000 (short-term) + $25,000 (long-term) = $40,000.
  3. 3 Step 3: Since their MAGI ($300,000) exceeds the married filing jointly threshold ($250,000) by $50,000, and their net investment income is $40,000, the NIIT applies to the full $40,000. NIIT = $40,000 * 0.038 = $1,520.
  4. 4 Step 4: The final tax liability for these crypto gains would be the sum of ordinary income tax on the $15,000 short-term gain, preferential long-term capital gains tax on the $25,000, plus the additional $1,520 in Net Investment Income Tax.

Source: IRS — Digital Assets · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How is cryptocurrency taxed in 2026?
Crypto is taxed as property. Short-term gains (held under 1 year) are taxed as ordinary income (10-37%). Long-term gains (held over 1 year) get preferential rates (0%, 15%, or 20%). The 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax also applies to high earners.
What crypto transactions are taxable?
Taxable events include selling crypto for cash, trading one crypto for another, spending crypto on goods or services, and receiving mining or staking rewards. Buying crypto with cash, transferring between your own wallets, and gifting (under the annual exclusion) are not taxable events.
How do I report crypto on my taxes?
Report each taxable transaction on Form 8949 with date acquired, date sold, proceeds, cost basis, and gain/loss. Summarize on Schedule D. Crypto received as income (mining, staking, airdrops) is reported as ordinary income on Schedule 1 or Schedule C.