Crypto Tax Calculator (Capital Gains)
Calculate the federal capital gains tax on selling or trading cryptocurrency -- short-term vs. long-term rates, the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax, and your state tax.
Enter Your Details
Adjust values to see instant results
Additional Details
Capital Gain / (Loss)
$10,000.00
Estimated • Based on your inputs
Total Estimated Tax Owed
$2,000.00
Net Proceeds After Tax
$23,000.00
Detailed Breakdown
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
How This Calculator Works
Calculation methodology and assumptions
The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property, not currency (Notice 2014-21) -- so selling it for cash, spending it on goods or services, or trading it for a different cryptocurrency are all taxable "dispositions" that trigger a capital gain or loss equal to the fair market value you received minus your cost basis. If you held the crypto for one year or less, the gain is short-term and taxed at your ordinary marginal rate, stacked on top of your other income; held more than one year, it's long-term and taxed at the preferential 0%/15%/20% rates (2026 brackets), stacked on top of your ordinary taxable income the same way the IRS's own Qualified Dividends and Capital Gain Tax Worksheet works. On top of that, the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (IRC §1411) applies to the lesser of your net investment income or the amount your modified adjusted gross income exceeds a filing-status threshold ($200,000 single/head of household, $250,000 married filing jointly, $125,000 married filing separately -- none of which are inflation-indexed). A capital loss is not taxed here and this single-sale calculator does not model the $3,000/year loss-offset limit or loss carryforward (IRC §1211(b)), which depend on your full tax return.
Key State Information
This calculator applies federal tax rules (identical nationwide) plus a flat state income tax rate you provide. Nine states have no state income tax at all (enter 0%); most others tax crypto capital gains the same as any other capital gain at ordinary state rates -- check your state's specific rules if it treats capital gains preferentially (a small number of states, like Washington, have a separate standalone capital gains tax structure not modeled here).
How to Use This Crypto Tax Calculator
- 1
Enter your information
Input the required values. The calculator is pre-filled with your state's data where applicable — adjust to match your specific situation for accurate results.
- 2
Review default values
Check that the pre-filled state-specific data (tax rates, median values, etc.) matches your local situation. You can override any value to customize the calculation.
- 3
Analyze your results
Review the calculated outputs. Use the breakdown table to understand exactly how each factor contributes to the final result.
- 4
Compare across states
Use the related state calculators linked below to compare results across different states — useful for relocation planning and financial comparison.
Example Calculation
Here's a practical example using this state's data.
The calculator uses state-specific public data and documented estimates where available — including tax rates, median values, and cost benchmarks — to produce a personalized estimate for the inputs you provide.
Result: Results will vary based on your individual inputs. Use this calculator as a starting point, then adjust the values to test different scenarios. The methodology section below explains exactly how each result is calculated.
What Affects Your Results
State-Specific Inputs
Each state has unique rates, fee schedules, and regulatory requirements that can affect results. This page's methodology and source card identify which inputs are sourced, modeled, or user-adjustable.
Income Level
Many calculations are income-dependent due to progressive tax brackets, phase-outs, or income-based eligibility thresholds. Higher income doesn't always mean proportionally higher costs.
Local Variations
State averages may not reflect your specific city or county. Local taxes, fees, and market conditions can vary ±20% from state averages.
Annual Changes
Tax rates, fee schedules, and regulations change. Check the recorded source-review date and verify critical numbers with the relevant agency.
Tips & Best Practices
- Always verify pre-filled values against your actual data. State averages are a good starting point but your situation may differ significantly.
- Run multiple scenarios by adjusting key inputs to see how changes affect your results. This helps with planning and decision-making.
- Compare your results across states using the related calculators linked below — especially valuable if you're considering relocating or doing business in another state.
- Bookmark this page to recalculate periodically as rates change. Check the page source card and review date before relying on a pre-filled value.
- Consult a qualified professional for major financial decisions. These calculators provide estimates based on standard formulas — a CPA or financial advisor can factor in your complete financial picture.
Newsletter Signups Are Paused
We're building the email delivery behind our newsletter so we can do it properly — signups aren't open yet. Check back soon.
No form here and nothing is collected. Read our privacy policy.
StateCalc Team
Editorial Team
The StateCalc team builds free financial calculators using data from official government sources including the IRS, U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, and state revenue departments. All formulas are validated by an automated test suite and cross-referenced against published data.
Our editorial standardsFrequently Asked Questions
Is selling or spending cryptocurrency a taxable event?
Yes. The IRS treats crypto as property, so selling it for U.S. dollars, using it to buy goods or services, or trading it for a different cryptocurrency all count as a taxable "disposition" that can trigger a capital gain or loss -- even if you never converted it back to dollars. Simply buying crypto with cash and holding it, or transferring it between your own wallets, is not a taxable event.
How is crypto taxed differently short-term vs. long-term?
If you held the crypto for one year or less before disposing of it, any gain is short-term and taxed at your ordinary federal income tax rate (up to 37% in 2026). If you held it for more than one year, the gain is long-term and taxed at the lower preferential capital gains rates (0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your income) -- exactly the same rules that apply to stocks.
How do I determine my cost basis in cryptocurrency?
Your cost basis is generally what you paid to acquire it, including any transaction fees. If you received the crypto as income (mining, staking, or payment for services) rather than buying it, your basis is instead the fair market value on the date you received it -- which is also the amount you would have already reported as ordinary income (see the Crypto Mining & Staking Tax Calculator). You may use specific identification of which units you're selling if you can substantiate it; otherwise FIFO (first-in, first-out) is the default method.
Does the wash sale rule apply to cryptocurrency?
Under current law, no. The wash sale rule (IRC §1091) disallows a loss deduction only when you sell "stock or securities" at a loss and buy substantially identical stock or securities within 30 days before or after. Because the IRS classifies virtual currency as property rather than a security, this rule does not currently apply to crypto trades -- a distinction from stocks that is widely reported and could change if Congress amends the tax code, which has been proposed repeatedly.
Do I owe tax if I only traded one cryptocurrency for another (not cash)?
Yes. Trading Bitcoin for Ethereum, for example, is treated the same as selling Bitcoin for cash and immediately buying Ethereum with it -- you must recognize a capital gain or loss on the Bitcoin based on its fair market value at the time of the trade, even though you never touched U.S. dollars.
People Also Calculate
Frequently used together with this calculator