# Capital Gains Tax on cryptoassets: rates and allowances

For 2025/26, the CGT annual exempt amount is £3,000. Basic-rate taxpayers generally pay 18% on crypto gains; higher and additional-rate taxpayers pay 24% on most chargeable assets including shares and crypto. Report through Self Assessment or the CGT real-time service.

## Key facts
- CGT rates for most chargeable assets (including crypto) are 18% (basic rate) and 24% (higher/additional rate) from 2024/25.
- The annual exempt amount is £3,000 for 2025/26.
- Allowable costs include acquisition cost, transaction fees and a share of pooled costs.
- Capital losses can be carried forward but must be reported to HMRC to use them.
- Gifts to spouses and civil partners are usually no gain/no loss transfers.

## Working out your gain

Your gain is normally the disposal proceeds minus allowable costs. Proceeds are the pound sterling value at disposal. Allowable costs include what you paid for the tokens (via pooling), transaction fees, and costs of valuing the asset for that transaction. Costs already deducted for Income Tax cannot be deducted again.

Establish allowable cost using the [UK token-matching rules](https://digital-assets.co.uk/tax/pooling-section-104-rules/) before calculating the gain.
## Rates for 2025/26

For disposals on or after 30 October 2024, the CGT rate on most assets (including crypto) is 18% where total taxable income and gains fall within the basic-rate band, and 24% above that. Residential property has different rates — crypto follows the 'most assets' rates published by HMRC.
## Using losses

If you dispose of tokens at a loss, you can offset that loss against other gains in the same tax year. Unused losses can be carried forward to future years, but you must report them to HMRC within the allowed time limits to preserve them.

Keep realised losses distinct from inaccessible holdings; the [negligible-value guide](https://digital-assets.co.uk/tax/crypto-negligible-value-claims/) explains the evidence and conditions.
## Reporting deadlines

If you file Self Assessment, include crypto gains in your return due by 31 January following the tax year. Alternatively, use HMRC's 'report and pay Capital Gains Tax' service within 60 days of the disposal for UK residential property — for crypto, Self Assessment or the real-time CGT service are the usual routes for individuals.

Once costs and available allowances are established, use the [CGT estimator](https://digital-assets.co.uk/tools/crypto-cgt-calculator/) to explore a simple disposal.

## Visual explanation
From sale proceeds to a taxable gain
01. £10,000: Proceeds less £5,000 cost and £50 allowable fees.
02. £4,950 gain: Less £3,000 of available annual allowance in this example.
03. £1,950 taxable: £351 CGT if all of this falls at the 18% rate.
Illustration assumes no losses, an unused £3,000 allowance and enough basic-rate band for the whole taxable gain. Other gains, income and reliefs can change the result.

## FAQs
### What if I lost money overall this year?

Report the losses on your tax return. You can carry them forward to offset future gains once registered with HMRC.
### Does spending crypto on goods trigger CGT?

Yes. Using tokens to pay for goods or services is a disposal. You calculate the gain based on the sterling value at the time of purchase.

## Sources

- [HMRC — Capital Gains Tax rates and allowances](https://www.gov.uk/capital-gains-tax/rates)
- [HMRC — Cryptoassets Manual (CGT)](https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/cryptoassets-manual)

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— Digital Assets UK (https://digital-assets.co.uk/tax/capital-gains-tax/), reviewed 2026-06-23. Source: https://www.gov.uk/capital-gains-tax/rates