Long-Term Capital Gains
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Key Takeaway
Profit earned from selling or disposing of a cryptocurrency held for more than one year, qualifying for preferential lower tax rates compared to short-term gains.
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What Is Long-Term Capital Gains?
Profit earned from selling or disposing of a cryptocurrency held for more than one year, qualifying for preferential lower tax rates compared to short-term gains.
How Long-Term Capital Gains Works
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the long-term capital gains tax rate for cryptocurrency?
In the United States, long-term capital gains on cryptocurrency are taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your total taxable income for the year. These rates are significantly lower than ordinary income tax rates, which can reach 37%. The 0% rate applies to those with lower total income, while most investors pay 15%. The 20% rate applies to the highest income earners. Long-term capital gains rates vary by country, but many jurisdictions offer preferential treatment for assets held longer than twelve months as an incentive for investment over speculation.
How long do I need to hold crypto for long-term capital gains?
You must hold a cryptocurrency asset for more than twelve months — at least 366 days — from the date of acquisition before disposing of it in order to qualify for long-term capital gains tax treatment. The holding period begins the day after you purchase the asset, not on the day of purchase itself. Disposing of an asset on the exact one-year anniversary date still qualifies as short-term in the United States because the required period is more than one year. Tracking the precise acquisition date of each purchase is important, especially when you hold multiple lots of the same cryptocurrency purchased at different times.
Can I qualify for the 0% long-term capital gains rate on crypto?
Yes — some cryptocurrency investors qualify for the 0% long-term capital gains rate, meaning they owe no federal tax on their long-term crypto profits. In the United States for the 2024 tax year, the 0% rate applies to single filers with taxable income up to approximately $47,025 and married couples filing jointly with taxable income up to approximately $94,050. Taxable income is calculated after deductions, so investors with modest total income — including retirement savings deductions and the standard deduction — may qualify even with meaningful crypto gains. Consulting a tax professional can help determine if this threshold is achievable in your specific situation.
Common Misconceptions About Long-Term Capital Gains
Holding crypto for more than one year means you pay no tax on your gains.
Holding cryptocurrency for more than one year qualifies your gains for lower long-term capital gains tax rates — but it does not eliminate the tax obligation entirely. In the United States, long-term rates are 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your income level. Most investors will owe either 15% or 20%. Only those with total taxable income below a specific threshold qualify for the 0% rate. While long-term treatment is significantly more favourable than short-term rates, planning as if gains are completely tax-free can lead to an unwelcome surprise at tax time.
All your crypto gains become long-term once you've held any crypto for over a year.
Long-term capital gains treatment applies on a per-lot basis — meaning each individual purchase of cryptocurrency has its own holding period that is tracked independently. If you bought Bitcoin in January 2023, March 2023, and November 2023, only the January purchase will qualify for long-term treatment after January 2024. The March and November lots are still within the short-term window at that point. Each acquisition must be evaluated individually against the date of disposal. This is why accurate record-keeping of every purchase date is essential, not just your overall position start date.
Long-term capital gains tax rates are the same for everyone.
Long-term capital gains tax rates in the United States are tiered based on your total taxable income for the year. The three applicable rates — 0%, 15%, and 20% — are assigned based on income thresholds that are adjusted annually for inflation. Higher earners may also be subject to an additional 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax on top of the 20% rate. This means that two investors with the same crypto gain can owe significantly different tax amounts depending on their total income. Tax rates also vary substantially across countries, making jurisdiction-specific advice important for international investors.