Crypto Tax Calculator
Calculate the tax on your cryptocurrency gains and income. Uses the CRA-mandated Adjusted Cost Base (ACB) weighted average method with superficial loss rule detection.
Tax Settings
Transactions
Tax Summary
Effective Rate on Crypto
14.8%
Net Capital Gain
$6,965
Disposal Details
| Date | Token | Qty | Proceeds | ACB Used | Fees | Gain/Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-06-01 | BTC | 0.3 | $25,000 | $18,015 | $20 | $6,965 |
Remaining Holdings (ACB Pools)
| Token | Quantity | Total ACB | ACB per Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| BTC | 0.2 | $12,010 | $60,050.00 |
ACB (Adjusted Cost Base) is calculated using the weighted average method as required by the CRA. All units of the same token across all wallets and exchanges form a single pool.
Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Detailed capital gains tax with LCGE eligibility
Income Tax Calculator
Full income tax breakdown including crypto
How it works: The CRA treats cryptocurrency as a commodity. Disposals (selling, swapping, or spending crypto) trigger capital gains or losses. The Adjusted Cost Base (ACB) is calculated using the weighted average method — all units of the same token form one pool regardless of which exchange holds them. Only 50% of net capital gains are included in taxable income. Mining and staking income is taxed as ordinary income at 100%.
How Adjusted Cost Base (ACB) Works
The CRA requires the weighted average cost method for calculating ACB. Unlike FIFO (used in Australia) or specific identification (used in the US), Canada treats all units of the same cryptocurrency as a single pool.
Formula: ACB per unit = Total cost of all units ÷ Total units held. Every time you acquire more of the same token (buying, receiving from staking/mining, or receiving in a swap), the pool is recalculated.
Example: You buy 1 BTC for $50,000, then later buy 0.5 BTC for $30,000. Your ACB per unit = $80,000 ÷ 1.5 = $53,333.33. If you sell 0.5 BTC for $35,000, your gain is $35,000 − $26,666.67 = $8,333.33.
The Superficial Loss Rule
Canada's superficial loss rule prevents you from selling crypto at a loss and immediately rebuying it to claim the tax deduction. A loss is denied if:
- You or an affiliated person (spouse, partner, controlled corporation) buy the same cryptocurrency within a 61-day window (30 days before to 30 days after the sale)
- You or the affiliated person still own it at the end of the 30th day after the sale
The denied loss is not permanently lost — it gets added to the ACB of the repurchased units, deferring the benefit until you eventually dispose of them without triggering the rule again.
Workaround: You can sell BTC and buy a different asset (e.g., ETH) without triggering the rule, as they are not "identical property."
What Triggers a Crypto Tax Event?
| Event | Tax Treatment |
|---|---|
| Selling crypto for CAD | Capital gain or loss |
| Crypto-to-crypto swap | Disposal at fair market value (taxable) |
| Spending crypto on goods/services | Disposal at fair market value |
| Mining/staking rewards | Mining: business income when earned. Centralized staking: income when credited |
| Buying crypto with CAD | Not taxable |
| Transferring between own wallets | Not taxable |
| Holding crypto | Not taxable |
Coming Soon: Crypto-Asset Reporting (CARF)
Canada has proposed to implement the OECD Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) in Bill C-31, which was not yet law when this page was last checked. As drafted, the new Part XXI of the Income Tax Act applies to the 2027 and subsequent calendar years, so it is worth reporting all crypto activity accurately now.
Frequently asked questions
How is cryptocurrency taxed in Canada?
The CRA says a disposition of a crypto-asset (selling, swapping, or spending it) produces either business income or a capital gain (or loss), depending on your activity. For most people who hold crypto as an investment, it is a capital gain or loss. Only 50% of net capital gains are included in your taxable income. Mining is generally a business, and its rewards are included in business income when earned; staking rewards from a centralized exchange are generally income when credited to your wallet.
What is the Adjusted Cost Base (ACB) method for crypto?
Canada requires the weighted average cost method for calculating ACB. All units of the same cryptocurrency across all your wallets and exchanges form a single pool. ACB per unit equals total cost of all units divided by total units held, recalculated with each new acquisition.
What is the superficial loss rule for crypto?
A capital loss is denied if you or an affiliated person buy the same cryptocurrency within 30 days before or after the sale, and still hold it 30 days after the sale. The denied loss is added to the ACB of the repurchased units, deferring (not eliminating) the tax benefit.
Is swapping one crypto for another taxable in Canada?
Yes. Swapping crypto-to-crypto (e.g., BTC to ETH) is treated as a barter transaction — a disposition of the first crypto at fair market value. You must calculate the capital gain or loss on the disposed crypto using its ACB.
How are crypto staking and mining rewards taxed?
The CRA says that in most cases mining is considered carrying on a business because of the scale and resources involved, and the value of the crypto-assets received must be included in business income when earned. Rewards from staking on a centralized exchange are generally income under the Income Tax Act when they are credited to your wallet on the platform. The CRA does not publish a separate rule for small, occasional mining or staking, so if your activity is small, confirm how it applies to you.
What is the capital gains inclusion rate for crypto in Canada?
The capital gains inclusion rate is 50%. A proposed increase to 66.67% for gains over $250,000 was cancelled by Prime Minister Carney in March 2025. The 50% rate applies to all capital gains regardless of amount.
Sources
Related Calculators
Reflects 2024–2026 tax year rates. 50% inclusion rate confirmed.