2026 Crypto Tax Calculator - Estimate Your Cryptocurrency Capital Gains Tax

Purchase Price ($)

Sale Price ($)

Holding Period

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Annual Income Bracket

Capital Gain/Loss

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Tax Rate

Estimated Tax

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Net Profit

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Tax Breakdown

Profit After Tax

Estimated Tax Owed

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Based on 2026 federal tax brackets

Understanding Crypto Taxes in 2026

Cryptocurrency is treated as property by the IRS, which means every time you sell, trade, or exchange crypto, it may trigger a taxable event. Capital gains tax applies when you sell cryptocurrency for more than you paid for it. The tax rate depends on how long you held the asset and your income level.

When you sell crypto at a loss, you can use that loss to offset other capital gains or up to $3,000 of ordinary income per year. Any excess losses can be carried forward to future tax years.

Short-term vs Long-term Capital Gains

The length of time you hold your cryptocurrency before selling determines whether your gains are taxed at short-term or long-term rates. Short-term rates are significantly higher, making it beneficial to hold assets for more than one year when possible.

Short-term Rates (2026)

10% - Up to $11,600
12% - $11,601 to $47,150
22% - $47,151 to $100,525
24% - $100,526 to $191,950
32% - $191,951 to $243,725
35% - $243,726 to $609,350
37% - Over $609,350

Long-term Rates (2026)

0% - Up to $47,025 (Single)
15% - $47,026 to $518,900 (Single)
20% - Over $518,900 (Single)
*Thresholds vary by filing status

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the IRS treats cryptocurrency as property, and you must report any taxable events. This includes selling crypto for fiat currency, trading one cryptocurrency for another, using crypto to purchase goods or services, and receiving crypto as income. Simply holding cryptocurrency is not a taxable event.

Short-term capital gains apply to assets held for one year or less and are taxed at your ordinary income tax rate (10-37%). Long-term capital gains apply to assets held for more than one year and benefit from preferential tax rates (0%, 15%, or 20%) depending on your income level.

Yes, you can use capital losses to offset capital gains. If your losses exceed your gains, you can deduct up to $3,000 of the excess loss against your ordinary income each year. Any remaining losses can be carried forward to future tax years indefinitely.

Your cost basis is the original value of your cryptocurrency, including the purchase price plus any fees paid to acquire it. Common methods for calculating cost basis include FIFO (First In, First Out), LIFO (Last In, First Out), and Specific Identification. Most taxpayers use FIFO as the default method.

You'll typically need Form 8949 to report each cryptocurrency transaction and Schedule D to summarize your capital gains and losses. If you received crypto as income (mining, staking, airdrops), you may also need to report it on Schedule 1 or Schedule C depending on whether it's considered hobby or business income.

Important Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only and should not be considered tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax laws are complex and change frequently. Individual circumstances vary significantly. Always consult with a qualified tax professional or CPA before making tax-related decisions. This tool does not account for state taxes, net investment income tax (NIIT), or other potential tax obligations.