Tax — Reference
Tax Allowances
2025/26.
A quick-reference page for the numbers that matter for UK crypto taxpayers in 2025/26. Rates, bands, allowances, and deadlines in one place. No deep dives — just the figures.
At a glance
Annual Capital Gains Tax allowance
Rate for gains within the basic-rate band
Rate for gains in the higher-rate band
Self Assessment filing deadline: 31 January 2027
Capital Gains Tax
The tax year runs from 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026.
| Rate / Threshold | Figure | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Annual exempt amount | £3,000 | Applies to all capital gains, not just crypto |
| Basic-rate CGT | 18% | Gains within the basic-rate income band |
| Higher-rate CGT | 24% | Gains above the basic-rate threshold |
| 30-day rule | 30 days | Must wait before repurchasing same token after a loss |
| Loss registration deadline | 4 years | From end of the tax year the loss arose |
Worth knowing: the CGT allowance was £12,300 in 2022/23. It has fallen by 76% in three years. The £3,000 figure applies for both 2024/25 and 2025/26 with no confirmed changes for 2026/27 yet.
Income Tax bands
Relevant if you earn crypto through mining, staking, airdrops, or any other income-producing activity.
| Band | Taxable Income | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Personal allowance | Up to £12,570 | 0% |
| Basic rate | £12,571 to £50,270 | 20% |
| Higher rate | £50,271 to £125,140 | 40% |
| Additional rate | Over £125,140 | 45% |
The personal allowance tapers to zero for income above £100,000 (at £1 for every £2 over the threshold). Effective marginal rate between £100,000 and £125,140 is 60%.
National Insurance for crypto earners
Capital gains are not subject to National Insurance. Income from crypto activities (mining profits classified as trading, employment income paid in crypto) may attract NI contributions.
| Class | Who pays | Rate 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|
| Class 2 | Self-employed (if profits above Small Profits Threshold) | £3.45/week |
| Class 4 | Self-employed trading profits £12,570 to £50,270 | 9% |
| Class 4 upper | Self-employed trading profits above £50,270 | 2% |
Key dates and deadlines
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 6 April 2025 | 2025/26 tax year begins |
| 5 April 2026 | 2025/26 tax year ends. Final day for disposals to count in this year. |
| 5 October 2026 | Deadline to register for Self Assessment if you haven't filed before |
| 31 October 2026 | Paper Self Assessment filing deadline |
| 31 January 2027 | Online Self Assessment filing deadline and tax payment deadline |
| 31 January 2027 | First payment on account for 2026/27 also due |
| May 2027 | CARF: exchanges submit first reports to HMRC covering 2026 data |
CARF (Cryptoasset Reporting Framework) requires UK crypto exchanges to report transaction data to HMRC. The first submissions cover data from the 2026 calendar year, due May 2027. This significantly increases HMRC's visibility into crypto activity.
Reporting thresholds
You must register for and complete Self Assessment if any of the following apply in 2025/26:
| Trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Total disposal proceeds | Over £50,000 |
| Net capital gains | Over £3,000 |
| Miscellaneous income (staking, mining) | Over £1,000 (Trading Allowance) |
| Self-employed trading profits | Over £1,000 |
The £50,000 disposal threshold catches many people who made a lot of small trades in a year, even if their net gain is modest. Total proceeds, not net gain, is the trigger.
Disclaimer
This is not financial or tax advice. Rates and thresholds are subject to change in future budgets. Individual circumstances vary. Verify figures directly with HMRC or a qualified tax adviser before filing.
Last updated: March 2026 — figures apply to 2025/26 tax year
What to read next
Tax guidesDeadline — 31 January 2027
Know your numbers
before January.
The Self Assessment deadline for 2025/26 is 31 January 2027. That's later than it feels. Starting your records now means no surprises.
Reporting guide