UK Crypto Tax Calculator (2026/27)
Calculate your UK crypto Capital Gains Tax with the £3,000 annual allowance.
Capital Gains Details
Taxable gain
£5,000
After £3,000 allowance
Tax owed
£1,200
24% CGT
After-tax profit
£6,800
After-tax profit
£6,800
This calculator provides an estimate based on general 2026/27 HMRC rules and is not tax advice. Consult a qualified accountant for your specific situation.
HMRC treats crypto as a "chargeable asset," not currency. Unlike the US, the UK has no holding-period discount — all gains are taxed the same way, but everyone gets a £3,000 tax-free allowance each year.
Tax Rules
- •Crypto falls under Capital Gains Tax (CGT), under the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992.
- •£3,000 annual tax-free allowance (2026/27), shared across all capital gains, not crypto-specific.
- •Gains above the allowance: 18% (basic-rate) or 24% (higher-rate).
- •Holding crypto isn't taxable — only disposals (sell, swap, spend, most gifts) trigger CGT.
- •From 1 Jan 2026: UK's CARF requires exchanges to share more data with HMRC.
- •Crypto earned as income (mining, staking) is taxed as income, not CGT.
Worked Example
Total gains £8,000. Minus £3,000 allowance = £5,000 taxable. As higher-rate taxpayer: £5,000 × 24% = £1,200 tax owed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I pay less tax if I hold crypto longer in the UK?
No — the UK has no long-term discount; rate depends on income tax band, not holding period.
What's the £3,000 allowance exactly?
The Capital Gains Tax annual exempt amount — first £3,000 of total gains (crypto plus shares, etc.) each tax year is tax-free.
Is swapping one crypto for another taxable in the UK?
Yes — HMRC treats crypto-to-crypto swaps as a disposal.
Last updated: 2026-10-03
Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimate based on general 2026/27 HMRC rules and is not tax advice. Consult a qualified accountant for your specific situation.