Do I need to report crypto on my self-assessment return?
Answered 17 March 2026
Do I Need to Report Crypto on My Self-Assessment Return?
Yes — in most cases you will need to report cryptoasset activity on a Self Assessment tax return. Here is a breakdown based on the sources found:
What the law says
Under s8 TMA 1970, a person may be required to provide information about their chargeable gains. However, there is a limited exception: you are not required to include full details of chargeable gains on your return where:
- the total consideration for all disposals does not exceed four times the Annual Exempt Amount (AEA), and
- either no allowable losses are deducted and total chargeable gains do not exceed the AEA, or allowable losses are deducted and total chargeable gains before losses do not exceed the AEA.
Cryptoasset tokens count as a chargeable asset for Capital Gains Tax purposes if they are capable of being owned and have a realisable value.
HMRC guidance / practice
Capital Gains Tax (most common case)
In the vast majority of cases, individuals hold cryptoassets as a personal investment. They will be liable to pay Capital Gains Tax when they dispose of their cryptoassets. A "disposal" includes selling, exchanging one cryptoasset for another, or using crypto to purchase goods/services.
Gains and losses must be declared on a Self Assessment tax return (for individuals).
Income Tax (specific circumstances)
You will also be liable to Income Tax and National Insurance contributions on cryptoassets received from:
- Your employer as a form of non-cash payment
- Mining or transaction confirmation
- Airdrops (where received in return for a service or as part of a trade)
For mining specifically, if the activity does not amount to a trade, the sterling value of cryptoassets awarded will generally be taxable as miscellaneous income. If it does amount to a trade, trading profits must be calculated and reported accordingly.
In rare cases, where an individual is running a business carrying on a financial trade in cryptoassets, Income Tax rules take priority over Capital Gains Tax rules.
Summary
| Activity | Tax | Report on Self Assessment? |
|---|---|---|
| Selling/exchanging crypto (investment) | CGT | Yes (unless below AEA thresholds) |
| Crypto received from employer | Income Tax + NICs | Yes |
| Mining / staking rewards | Income Tax (misc. income) or trading profits | Yes |
| Airdrops for a service | Income Tax | Yes |
| Airdrops with no conditions attached | Potentially CGT on disposal only | Yes on disposal |
⚠️ Note: The Annual Exempt Amount for CGT has been significantly reduced in recent years. You should check the current AEA before assuming you fall below the reporting threshold. HMRC's Cryptoassets Manual (CRYPTO series) and the GOV.UK guidance page "Check if you need to pay tax when you sell cryptoassets" are the primary references for further detail.
Citation sources
The aim of this manual is to help people understand the tax implications that can arise from transactions involving cryptoassets. It is written for HMRC staff but may also assist customers and their professional advisers in understanding HMRC’s interpretation of the law as it relates to cryptoassets as at the date of publication. The content of this manual derives from the positions set out in the policy papers entitled Cryptoassets: tax for individuals and Cryptoassets: tax for businesses, whic
Cryptoassets can be awarded to ‘miners’ in return for verifying additions to the distributed ledger. Whether such activity amounts to a taxable trade (with the cryptoassets as trade receipts) will depend on the particular facts, taking into account a range of factors such as: degree of activity organisation risk commerciality For example, using a home computer while it has spare capacity to mine tokens would not normally amount to a trade. However, purchasing a bank of dedicated computers to min
Under s8 TMA70, a person may be required to provide information about their chargeable gains. There is no requirement to make a return of capital losses but they do need to be notified to HMRC in order for them to be allowable losses, see CG15800P. Under s8C TMA70, an individual who is required to make a self-assessment return is not required to include full details of their chargeable gains where: the total consideration for all disposals (excluding assets which are exempt from the capital gain
If a company or business is carrying out activities which involve exchange tokens, they are liable to pay tax on them. Such activities include: buying and selling exchange tokens exchanging tokens for other assets (including other types of cryptoassets) ‘mining’ providing goods or services in return for exchange tokens The type of tax will depend on who is involved in the business and the activities it carries out (including whether these activities count as a trade). It is likely they will be l
Tokens are digital and therefore intangible, but count as a ‘chargeable asset’ for Capital Gains Tax if they’re both: capable of being owned have a value that can be realised For more information about what makes an ‘asset’ for Capital Gains Tax purposes, see CG12010. Customers looking for guidance on paying Capital Gains Tax when disposing of cryptoassets can refer to this guidance: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-need-to-pay-tax-when-you-sell-cryptoassets. HMRC expects that buying and
In the vast majority of cases, individuals hold cryptoassets as a personal investment, usually for capital appreciation or to make particular purchases. They will be liable to pay Capital Gains Tax when they dispose of their cryptoassets. Individuals will be liable to pay Income Tax and National Insurance contributions on cryptoassets which they receive from: their employer as a form of non-cash payment (see CRYPTO21100) mining, transaction confirmation or airdrops (see CRYPTO21150, CRYPTO21200