Crypto Taxes USA 2026: IRS Capital Gains Rates & Reporting
TL;DR: For 2026, US crypto traders face 0%, 15%, or 20% long-term capital gains rates depending on taxable income. Short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income up to 37%. The IRS requires reporting all crypto disposals, including crypto-to-crypto trades, on Form 8949 and Schedule D. US crypto traders face a complex tax landscape in 2026. The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property, not currency. That means every sale, trade, or disposal triggers a taxable event. Even swapping one coin for another counts. The rules differ sharply from Canada, where the CRA applies its own framework. For a side-by-side comparison, see our Canada vs US crypto tax guide. ...