Crypto tax in the USA in 2026

8 min read · Published 6 October 2026

Within a year of holding, income tax of up to 37%; after a year, 0%, 15% or 20%. How to calculate gains, what happens with staking and mining, and what exchanges now report to the IRS.

Item	In 2026
Rate for individuals	within a year of holding - 10-37% on the scale
Holding period relief	more than 1 year - 0%, 15% or 20%
Coin-to-coin swaps	taxed as a sale
Staking and mining	ordinary income when received
State tax	from 0% in Florida and Texas to 13.3% in California
Tax return	by 15 April of the following year
Exchange reporting	proceeds from 2025, cost basis from 2026

Data checked 2026-10-06

The Internal Revenue Service treats crypto as property, not money. Tax therefore arises on every sale, swap and even purchase paid in coins, and the rate depends on the holding period: within a year at the income tax scale, after a year at the preferential capital gains rates.

From 2025 exchanges and brokers report clients' proceeds to the IRS on a new form, and from 2026 they add the cost basis too. Hiding trades on a US exchange is no longer possible, and the digital asset question sits on the first page of every return.

Who pays crypto tax in the USA

US tax on worldwide income is paid by citizens, green card holders and those who meet the substantial presence test: at least 31 days in the current year and 183 days under a three-year formula. A US citizen pays tax on crypto even after years of living abroad.

A non-resident who spends fewer than 183 days in the US in a year pays no US tax on crypto sale gains unless the income is connected with a US business. But their country of residence taxes the gain under its own rules.

Moving with a large portfolio is best planned before entry: once a green card is issued, the growth in coin value is taxed in the US even if it built up before the move, because the purchase price is taken from the original trade.

For a green card holder, giving up the status after 8 of 15 years may trigger the exit tax: the coins are treated as sold the day before, and the gain is taxed.

How to calculate crypto income

The gain is the sale price minus the purchase price including fees. The holding period sets the rate: a sale within a year is taxed at the income tax scale of 10% to 37%, after a year at 0%, 15% or 20% depending on income. High earners add the 3.8% net investment income tax.

A coin-to-coin swap and paying for goods with crypto are also sales. Losses reduce gains, and beyond that ordinary income by $3,000 a year, with the remainder carried forward. The wash sale rule that applies to shares does not apply to crypto.

Situation	Calculation	Tax
Bought for $10,000, sold after 8 months for $15,000	$5,000 × 24% on the scale, example	$1,200
The same trade after 13 months	$5,000 × 15%	$750
$40,000 gain after a year, taxable income up to $49,450	0% rate	$0
Staking earned $2,000	ordinary income × 24%, example	$480
Swapped a coin after six months with a $3,000 gain	the swap counts as a sale × 24%	$720

Example for a single filer in 2026, excluding state tax. The 0% capital gains rate applies to taxable income up to $49,450, 15% up to $545,500, and 20% above.

Crypto income in the USA means a calculation for every trade and a match with the exchange report

The IRS matches returns against exchange reports, so mistakes are expensive: a coin-to-coin swap left out, staking not reported as income, an unproven purchase price for coins brought from another country. We calculate the tax across all trades and wallets, prepare the return schedule and plan taxes in advance if a green card or a move is ahead.

The cost of support depends on the number of trades and exchanges; a manager will calculate it in the chat.

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Mining and staking

Coins received from staking are taxed as ordinary income at market value when the holder gains control over them, as the IRS clarified in 2023. That value becomes the purchase price for a future sale.

Mining is taxed the same way: the value of mined coins is income on the day they are mined. If mining is run as a business, the 15.3% self-employment tax applies, but equipment and electricity costs reduce the base.

Cashing out crypto and moving it to a bank

US exchanges are registered as money services businesses with the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and hold state licences. Withdrawals to a bank account follow identity checks, and banks may ask for an explanation of large deposits.

For a foreigner without a US tax number, opening an account on a major exchange is harder: the exchange will ask for a foreign person's tax form, and some services are not available to residents of certain countries.

Coins brought from another country are valued by the IRS at their original purchase price. Without records the purchase price may be treated as zero on sale, so foreign exchange statements are worth saving before entry.

Crypto account data sharing

Domestically the IRS gets data directly: from 2025 digital asset brokers report clients' proceeds, and from 2026 also the cost basis of coins bought on that platform. A mismatch between the exchange report and the return is a common trigger for an IRS letter.

The US is joining the crypto-asset reporting standard of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, with first exchanges by 2029. For US citizens abroad, foreign account and asset reporting already applies.

Errors from past years are safer to fix with an amended return before an IRS letter: a voluntary correction costs less than an assessment after an audit.

Licences for crypto companies in the USA

A crypto exchange or exchanger in the US registers as a money services business at federal level and obtains a money transmitter licence in almost every state where it operates. New York has a separate virtual currency licence. A separate federal law for stablecoin issuers was passed in 2025.

That is why foreign projects often start with a licence in another jurisdiction and a US company for business that does not involve transmitting client money.

Murblz sets up crypto companies and licences in these services: company registration in the USA, BVI company with a virtual asset service provider licence, crypto licence in Estonia.

This topic in other countries

Crypto tax in other countries:

Taxes, relocation and business in this country:

Where crypto is not taxed at all is covered in countries with no crypto tax.

FAQ

What is the crypto tax in the USA in 2026?

On sales within a year, the income tax scale of 10% to 37%. After a year of holding, 0%, 15% or 20% depending on income, plus 3.8% for high earners and state tax.

Is swapping one cryptocurrency for another taxable in the USA?

Yes, a swap counts as a sale: the gain is taxed at the moment of the swap even if nothing was cashed out to dollars.

How is staking taxed in the USA?

As ordinary income at the coins' market value when the holder gains control over them. That value becomes the purchase price for a future sale.

Do I pay tax if I have not sold my crypto?

No, growth in value without a sale is not taxed. Tax arises on a sale, a swap, paying for purchases with coins, and on receiving staking and mining rewards.

Does a foreigner pay crypto tax in the USA?

A non-resident who spent fewer than 183 days in the US in a year pays no US tax on crypto sale gains unless the income is connected with a US business.

Do exchanges report to the IRS?

Yes, from 2025 digital asset brokers report clients' proceeds on a new form, and from 2026 also the cost basis of coins.

Can losses reduce the tax?

Yes, losses reduce gains, and beyond that ordinary income by $3,000 a year, with the remainder carried forward.

When do I file a US return with crypto?

By 15 April of the following year. Trades are shown on the form for sales of property, and the digital asset question is on the first page of the return.

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Crypto tax in the USA in 2026

Who pays crypto tax in the USA

How to calculate crypto income

Mining and staking

Cashing out crypto and moving it to a bank

Crypto account data sharing

Licences for crypto companies in the USA

This topic in other countries

FAQ

Don’t want to figure this out alone?

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