UK Crypto Capital Gains Tax Rates 2025/26: Complete Guide
Current CGT rates for crypto in the UK, annual allowances, and how to calculate exactly what you owe HMRC on your crypto profits.
Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on cryptocurrency changed significantly in the 2024 Autumn Budget. Here are the exact rates and allowances for the 2025/26 tax year, and how they apply to your crypto profits.
Current rates (2025/26)
Following the October 2024 Budget, CGT rates on crypto disposals increased. Basic-rate taxpayers now pay 18% on crypto gains (up from 10%). Higher and additional-rate taxpayers pay 24% (up from 20%). These rates apply to all asset disposals including cryptocurrency, shares, and property (residential property has separate higher rates).
The annual exempt amount
Every individual gets a tax-free Capital Gains Tax allowance of £3,000 for 2025/26. This has been slashed from £12,300 in 2022/23 to £6,000 in 2023/24 to £3,000 from 2024/25 onwards. This means far more crypto traders now have taxable gains than before.
How the rates interact with your income
Your CGT rate depends on your total taxable income. The basic-rate income tax band for 2025/26 is up to £50,270. If your taxable income plus crypto gains keeps you within this band, you pay 18%. If your gains push you into the higher-rate band, the portion above the threshold is taxed at 24%.
For example: your salary is £45,000, and you have £10,000 in crypto gains. After the £3,000 allowance, your taxable gain is £7,000. Your salary uses £45,000 of the £50,270 basic-rate band, leaving £5,270. The first £5,270 of your crypto gain is taxed at 18% (£948.60). The remaining £1,730 is taxed at 24% (£415.20). Total CGT: £1,363.80.
Losses can reduce your bill
If you made losses on some crypto trades, you can offset them against your gains. Unused losses can be carried forward to future tax years indefinitely. You must report the losses to HMRC in the tax year they occur to carry them forward. This is why tax-loss harvesting — deliberately selling losing positions before the end of the tax year — can be a valuable strategy.
Married couples and civil partners
Transfers between spouses and civil partners are not taxable events. This means you can transfer crypto to your partner to use their annual allowance, potentially doubling your tax-free amount to £6,000. The receiving partner takes on the original cost basis.
CryptoLens applies the correct 2025/26 rates automatically and shows you exactly what you owe at both basic and higher rates.
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