Your cost basis is what you paid to acquire the crypto, including purchase price and all fees. The resulting gain is then taxed according to your country's rules and rates.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term

Many countries offer lower tax rates for assets held longer. In the US and Australia, holding for over 12 months qualifies for reduced rates (0–20% in the US, 50% discount in Australia). In Germany, holding for just 1 year makes gains completely tax-free.

Keeping Records

Every tax authority requires detailed records of your crypto transactions. Keep track of the date, amount, value in your local currency, and purpose of each transaction. Retain records for the required period (4–10 years depending on your country) in case of an audit.

Crypto Tax by Country

Country	Asset Classification	Key Rate / Rule	Calculator
🇺🇸 United States	Property	0–20% long-term; 10–37% short-term	Open →
🇬🇧 United Kingdom	Chargeable asset	18% / 24%; £3,000 allowance	Open →
🇩🇪 Germany	Private asset	Tax-free if held ≥ 1 year	Open →
🇨🇦 Canada	Commodity	50% inclusion (66.67% above $250k)	Open →
🇦🇺 Australia	CGT asset	50% discount if held > 12 months	Open →

Crypto Tax Glossary

Capital Gain — Profit made from selling an asset for more than its cost basis.

Cost Basis — The original purchase price of an asset plus any acquisition fees.

Capital Loss — Loss incurred when selling an asset for less than its cost basis.

Short-Term Gain — Gain on an asset held for a short period (typically ≤ 12 months).

Long-Term Gain — Gain on an asset held for a longer period, often qualifying for lower rates.

Inclusion Rate — The fraction of a capital gain that is subject to tax (used in Canada).

CGT Discount — A reduction in taxable gain for assets held over 12 months (used in Australia).

FIFO — First-In, First-Out cost basis method; assumes you sell the earliest acquired units first.

Taxable Event — Any action (sale, swap, spend) that triggers a capital gain or loss.

Loss Carryforward — Using capital losses from one year to offset gains in future years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about crypto taxes.

Is this crypto tax calculator really free? ▾

Yes, completely free. There are no hidden fees, no sign-up, and no paid tiers. All calculators run entirely in your browser.

Do you store my financial data? ▾

No. Every calculation is performed locally in your browser using JavaScript. We never collect, transmit, or store any of your input data.

Which countries are supported? ▾

We currently support the United States (USD), United Kingdom (GBP), Germany (EUR), Canada (CAD) and Australia (AUD), each with local tax rules and currencies.

How is crypto taxed? ▾

In most countries, cryptocurrency is treated as property or a capital asset. When you sell, swap, or spend crypto for a profit, you typically owe capital gains tax on the difference between your cost basis and sale price. Rules vary by country — select your country above for the specific calculation.

Are the results tax advice? ▾

No. This tool provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified tax professional for your specific situation.

From the blog

Plain-English guides to the crypto tax questions people actually ask.

Do You Pay Taxes on Crypto? 10 Situations That Matter

Buying and holding don't count — but selling, swapping, spending and staking do.

How Long to Hold Crypto Before Selling? 5 Countries

Germany's 365-day tax-free rule, US/Australia's 12-month discounts — with real numbers.

Crypto Tax-Loss Harvesting: When Selling a Loser Pays Off

How losses cancel gains and up to $3,000 of income — plus the wash-sale quirk.

What Happens If You Don't Report Crypto Gains?

What exchanges already report, what penalties look like, and how to fix a missed year.

Read all guides →

This tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Tax rules change frequently and your actual liability may differ. Always consult a qualified tax professional.