UK crypto tax, explained clearly.
Plain-English guides to how HMRC taxes crypto — the rates, the rules and the reporting — written to be read, not to sell you something. No jargon, no scare tactics, just the figures that decide your number.
The essentials
30 guidesCrypto tax in the UK: the complete guide
The whole picture for 2025/26 — what's taxed, the 18%/24% rates and £3,000 allowance, what counts as a disposal, and how to report it. Links out to every detailed guide.
Read the guide RatesCrypto tax rates for 2025/26
18% or 24%, the £3,000 allowance, and a worked example showing how your rate is decided.
Read the guide AllowancesHow much crypto is tax-free?
It's the gain that counts, not how much you cash out. The £3,000 allowance, what else is tax-free, and legal ways to use more of it.
Read the guide DisposalsDo you pay tax if you haven't sold?
You don't pay just for holding — but a swap, a spend, or a gift is a taxable disposal.
Read the guide MethodSame-day, 30-day & Section 104 pooling
The three matching rules HMRC applies, in order — and how they decide your cost basis.
Read the guide MethodCost basis across multiple wallets & exchanges
One Section 104 pool per coin combines every wallet and exchange, not a separate cost each. Why your exchange tax report gets it wrong.
Read the guide TransfersMoving crypto between your own wallets
Moving your own coins from an exchange to a hardware wallet, or between your wallets, is NOT a sale. Why it's tax-free, plus the software trap that inflates your gains.
Read the guide MethodThe 30-day 'bed & breakfast' rule
Sell at a loss and rebuy the same coin within 30 days? HMRC recalculates at the rebuy price — your loss can vanish.
Read the guide DisposalsDo I pay tax when I swap one coin for another?
Yes. Swapping crypto for crypto is a disposal, even into a stablecoin and even if no pounds hit your bank. Here's how it's taxed.
Read the guideFiling it with HMRC
UK crypto tax deadlines 2025/26
Register by 5 October, file & pay by 31 January 2027. Thresholds: gains > £3,000 or proceeds > £50,000. Penalties for late filing and payment.
Read the guide Self AssessmentHow to report crypto on Self Assessment
When you must file, registering by 5 October, the £3,000 / £50,000 triggers and the 31 January deadline.
Read the guide The formThe SA108 cryptoassets boxes 13.1–13.8
What each box on HMRC's crypto Self Assessment section means, in HMRC's own words, with a worked example.
Read the guide HMRCWhich exchanges report to HMRC?
The Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework, international data-sharing and nudge letters — and why to report accurately.
Read the guide HMRCCan HMRC see and track your crypto?
Yes, and from January 2026 UK and overseas exchanges report your crypto to HMRC automatically under CARF. What they can see, what they can't, and the calm move if you're behind.
Read the guide ReportingCARF: Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework
From 1 January 2026, UK exchanges report your data to HMRC by 31 May 2027. What's collected, when, and what it means for your tax filing.
Read the guide HMRC letterGot an HMRC crypto nudge letter?
What the 'one to many' letter means, why you got it, and the exact steps: work out your gains, then disclose or explain. HMRC sent ~65,000 in 2024/25.
Read the guide PenaltiesWhat if you didn't declare crypto?
The real penalties, interest and time limits, and why coming forward before HMRC contacts you (now exchanges report under CARF) costs far less.
Read the guide DisclosureHow to make a voluntary disclosure
The step-by-step process: notify HMRC, use the 90-day window to work out the tax, disclose in full, then pay. Coming forward first keeps the penalty far lower.
Read the guideExport your CSV
Binance tax: export your CSV
How to export your full Binance transaction history for HMRC — and the Convert / Earn gaps to watch for.
Read the guide CoinbaseCoinbase tax: export your CSV
Generate the right transaction-history report from Coinbase — including the Advanced/Pro split.
Read the guide KrakenKraken tax: export your ledgers
The ledgers export is the most complete record — here's how to get it and what to check.
Read the guide Crypto.comCrypto.com tax: export your history
Export your full Crypto.com App and Exchange history and turn it into a UK SA108 figure.
Read the guideLosses, income, gifts & NFTs
How to claim crypto losses against tax
Offset gains, carry losses forward (4-year claim window), and negligible-value claims for worthless or lost crypto.
Read the guide LossesStolen, scammed or rug-pulled crypto
HMRC usually doesn't treat theft as a disposal, so the loss isn't automatic. The negligible value claim that can still crystallise it, and what to do.
Read the guide IncomeHow staking, airdrops & mining are taxed
Usually Income Tax at the pound value on receipt — then Capital Gains Tax when you later sell.
Read the guide IncomeCrypto trader or investor?
Worried active trading or a bot makes you a 'trader' facing Income Tax? For almost everyone HMRC says investor, so Capital Gains Tax, which is usually cheaper.
Read the guide GiftsCrypto gifts & spouse transfers
Gifting crypto is usually a disposal at market value — except a transfer to your spouse or civil partner.
Read the guide NFTsHow NFTs are taxed in the UK
Each NFT is a separate asset (not pooled) — Capital Gains Tax at market value when you sell, swap or gift it.
Read the guideCompare the options
A Koinly alternative for UK crypto tax
An honest, UK-focused head-to-head — price, free tier, how your data goes in, and what you actually file. Where each tool fits.
Read the guide CompareThe cheapest UK crypto tax software
A fair, dated price comparison of Koinly, CoinTracker, CoinLedger, Recap and CryptoCGT for a typical UK filer.
Read the guideSee your number in seconds.
Drop your CSV, read your full Capital Gains Tax figure free, and pay only if you download. No sign-up, no API keys.