Estimate the US federal tax on selling Bitcoin, Ether or any other crypto. Enter what you paid, what you sold for and your other income; the calculator applies the real 2026 or 2025 brackets, the 0/15/20% long-term rates and the 3.8% NIIT.
Last updated:
The trade
$
$
Coins or tokens; decimals allowed.
$
Exchange and network fees add to cost basis.
Holding period
Your tax situation
$
Wages, interest, staking rewards etc. before deductions.
%
0 in states with no income tax.
Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the Crypto Tax Calculator
Enter the buy and sell price per coin, the quantity and any fees.
Set the holding period with dates or choose short- or long-term.
Pick tax year and filing status, then enter your other income for the year.
Press Calculate crypto tax to see the tax owed and profit after tax.
Check the scenarios table to compare selling at other prices or waiting past one year.
2026 federal tax rates on crypto gains
Long-term rate
Single
Married filing jointly
Head of household
0%
up to $49,450
up to $98,900
up to $66,200
15%
$49,451 – $545,500
$98,901 – $613,700
$66,201 – $579,600
20%
over $545,500
over $613,700
over $579,600
Thresholds are taxable income including the gain (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32). Short-term gains are taxed with your wages at 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% or 37%. The 3.8% NIIT applies to the smaller of your net investment income or MAGI above $200,000 (single) / $250,000 (joint).
How the tax is calculated
Cost basis = price paid × quantity + purchase and sale fees.
Gain = sale proceeds − cost basis.
Short-term: tax on (other taxable income + gain) − tax on other taxable income, using ordinary brackets.
Long-term: the gain sits on top of your other taxable income; each slice is taxed at 0%, 15% or 20% depending on where it lands.
Example: single filer, $70,000 salary (2026 taxable $53,900), sells 0.5 BTC for a $17,460 gain after holding 18 months. All of it falls in the 15% zone: $2,619 federal tax. Sold within a year, the same gain would be taxed at 22%: about $3,841.
Crypto tax tips
Track cost basis per wallet. Since 2025 the IRS requires basis to be tracked wallet by wallet or account by account, not as one universal pool.
Choose lots deliberately. Specific identification of high-cost lots can shrink a gain; otherwise FIFO applies.
Mind the one-year mark. Waiting one more day past the anniversary can cut the rate from 22–37% to 0–20%.
Harvest losses before year end to offset gains, and keep records of every swap, purchase and transfer.
Frequently asked questions
How is crypto taxed in the US?
The IRS treats crypto as property. Selling it, swapping one coin for another, or spending it is a taxable disposal. The gain is proceeds minus cost basis; it is short-term (ordinary income rates, 10% to 37%) if held one year or less and long-term (0%, 15% or 20%) if held more than a year.
What are the long-term crypto tax rates for 2026?
0% while taxable income stays under $49,450 single / $98,900 joint, 15% up to $545,500 single / $613,700 joint, and 20% above. Higher earners may also owe the 3.8% net investment income tax.
Is swapping one crypto for another taxable?
Yes. A crypto-to-crypto trade is treated as selling the first coin at its fair market value. Like-kind exchange treatment does not apply to crypto.
Can I deduct crypto losses?
Yes. Capital losses first offset capital gains, then up to $3,000 of ordinary income per year ($1,500 married filing separately). Unused losses carry forward indefinitely. Under current law the wash-sale rule applies to stocks and securities, not to crypto held as property.
Are staking and mining rewards taxed the same way?
No. Staking, mining and airdrop rewards are ordinary income at their fair market value when you receive them. That value becomes your cost basis, so selling later creates a separate capital gain or loss. Include rewards in Other income here.
What forms do I use to report crypto?
Report each sale on Form 8949, summarize on Schedule D, and answer the digital asset question on Form 1040. Brokers issue Form 1099-DA for sales starting in 2025; gross proceeds are reported first, with cost basis reporting phasing in for 2026.
How accurate is this estimate?
It uses real federal brackets with the standard deduction, which is close for most people with one sale. Other gains and losses, itemized deductions, credits and state rules can change the final number.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.