Tax & HMRC
Crypto Tax-Free Allowance UK 2026: How Much Can You Make Before Tax?
In 2026 you can make up to £3,000 in crypto capital gains tax-free, thanks to the annual exempt amount — plus separate allowances for crypto income. Here's exactly how much you can make before HMRC wants a cut, and the reporting threshold people miss.
What Happens to Your Crypto When You Die? A UK Estate Planning Guide (2026)
When you die, your crypto forms part of your estate for inheritance tax — but your heirs can only claim it if they can actually access it. Without your keys, self-custodied crypto is lost forever. Here's how to make sure your crypto passes on, safely and tax-efficiently.
How to Legally Reduce Your Crypto Tax Bill in the UK (2026 Guide)
You can't avoid UK crypto tax, but you can legally reduce it — by using your £3,000 allowance, harvesting losses, gifting to a spouse, timing disposals and donating to charity. Here are the legitimate moves HMRC actually accepts.
Best Crypto Tax Software in the UK for 2026: Koinly vs Recap vs CoinTracking
The best crypto tax software for UK investors in 2026 is Koinly for most people, Recap if you want a UK-built tool tuned to HMRC rules, and CoinTracking for heavy traders. Here's how they compare on price, HMRC reports and pooling.
Do You Pay Tax on Crypto in the UK? A Plain-English Answer for 2026
Yes — most UK crypto activity is taxable. You pay capital gains tax when you sell, swap or spend at a profit, and income tax when you're paid in crypto or earn it from staking. Simply holding is tax-free. Here's the plain-English version.
How to Cash Out Crypto to a UK Bank Account in 2026
To cash out crypto in the UK, sell it for sterling on an FCA-registered exchange and withdraw via Faster Payments to a bank account in your own name. The catch most people miss: selling is a taxable disposal, whether or not the money hits your bank.
Got an HMRC Crypto Nudge Letter? What It Means and What to Do (2026)
An HMRC crypto nudge letter means HMRC has data suggesting you may owe tax on crypto and wants you to check and correct it. It's a prompt, not a fine — but ignoring it is a mistake. Here's what the letter means, why you got one, and exactly how to respond.
Does Holding Crypto Affect Your Universal Credit? The UK Benefits Rules
Crypto counts as capital for Universal Credit — and the £6,000 and £16,000 thresholds apply just like savings. Here's how holding Bitcoin or other tokens affects your benefits, what you must declare, and the traps around volatile values.
How to Calculate Crypto Gains in the UK: Share Pooling Explained (2026)
To calculate a UK crypto gain, subtract the pooled average cost of the coins you sold from what you got for them. HMRC uses 'share pooling', not first-in-first-out — plus a same-day and 30-day rule that trips everyone up. Here's the method, worked through.
Gifting Crypto in the UK: The Tax Rules Most People Get Wrong (2026)
Gifting crypto to anyone except your spouse is a disposal for UK capital gains tax — even though you got no money for it. Gifts to a husband, wife or civil partner are tax-free. Here's how crypto gifting really works, plus the inheritance tax angle people miss.
Getting Paid in Crypto in the UK: How Salary Tax Actually Works
Crypto salaries are taxed as employment income at sterling value on the day you receive them — with PAYE, National Insurance and a 90-day rule most employees have never heard of. What UK workers need to know.
Spending Crypto in the UK: Every Purchase Is a Tax Event
Crypto debit cards make spending bitcoin at Tesco effortless — and every tap is a disposal HMRC can tax and, from this year, see. How CGT applies to crypto spending and how to keep it manageable.
HMRC Can Now See Your Crypto Trades: How CARF Reporting Works
Since 1 January 2026, UK crypto platforms must collect your identity and transaction data and report it to HMRC under CARF. First reports land by 31 May 2027. Here's what's collected and what to do about it.
Crypto ETNs and ISAs: The Rules That Changed on 6 April 2026
Since 6 April 2026, new crypto ETN purchases no longer qualify for stocks and shares ISAs — only the Innovative Finance ISA. Existing holdings can stay. Here's how the rules work now and what your options are.
Crypto and Inheritance Tax in the UK: What Happens When You Die
Crypto counts as property in your estate and is taxed at 40% above the £325,000 threshold — and without your keys, it may be lost entirely. A practical guide to inheritance tax and estate planning for UK crypto holders.
UK Crypto Capital Gains Tax: Your Complete HMRC Guide for 2025-26
HMRC taxes most crypto gains as Capital Gains Tax. Here's everything UK investors need to know about the £3,000 annual exempt amount, CGT rates, the 30-day rule, and what counts as a disposal.
Crypto Income Tax in the UK: Staking, Mining and Airdrops Explained
Staking rewards, mining income and airdrops are all taxable in the UK — but the rules are different for each. HMRC's guidance is specific, and the difference between 'miscellaneous income' and 'trade' can be worth thousands.
DeFi Tax in the UK: What HMRC Says About Yield Farming and Liquidity Pools
HMRC has published detailed guidance on DeFi lending, liquidity pools, and yield farming. The rules are complex but specific — and the income vs capital distinction will determine your tax bill.
How to File Your Crypto Self Assessment with HMRC
From 2024-25, HMRC has a dedicated cryptoasset section in the self-assessment return. Here's a step-by-step guide to declaring your crypto gains and income correctly — and what happens if you haven't.
Crypto Tax Losses in the UK: Allowable Expenses, Loss Harvesting and Fraud Claims
UK crypto investors can reduce their CGT bill through allowable expenses, loss harvesting, and carrying losses forward — but HMRC has strict rules. Here's what counts and what doesn't, including the fraud trap.
Also worth reading
The Crypto Fear and Greed Index: What It Is and How to Use It (2026)
The Crypto Fear and Greed Index is a 0–100 gauge of market emotion — 0 is extreme fear, 100 is extreme greed. It's a handy sentiment snapshot, not a crystal ball. Here's what it measures, how UK investors use it sensibly, and its limits.
How to Buy Solana (SOL) in the UK 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide
To buy Solana (SOL) in the UK, open an account with an FCA-registered exchange that lists it, deposit pounds, and buy — starting from just a few pounds. Here's the step-by-step, what Solana actually is, the fees to avoid, and how to store SOL safely.
How to Buy XRP in the UK (2026): A Step-by-Step Beginner's Guide
To buy XRP in the UK, open an account with an FCA-registered exchange that lists it, deposit pounds, and buy — you can start with a few pounds. Here's the step-by-step, plus what XRP actually is, the fees to watch, and how to store it safely.