Crypto Wash Sale Calculator 2026 β 30-Day Rule
Calculate disallowed crypto losses under the new 2026 wash sale rules. See adjusted cost basis, deferred tax benefit, and 30-day window analysis.
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Disallowed Loss
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Adjusted Replacement Basis
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Deferred Tax Benefit
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Days Between Transactions
Wash Sale Analysis
How the Crypto Wash Sale Rule Works in 2026
Starting with the 2026 tax year, the 30-day wash sale window applies to cryptocurrency. Before this change, crypto investors could sell at a loss and immediately repurchase β a strategy called "tax loss harvesting" β without any restriction. Under the new rule, you must wait more than 30 days before or after the sale to repurchase the same asset.
The Formula
Days Between = |Buy-Back Date β Sell Date|
Wash Sale Triggered = Days Between <= 30
Disallowed Loss = if wash sale: min(total_loss, loss_amount) else: $0
Adjusted Replacement Basis = Buy-Back Price Γ Qty + Disallowed Loss
Deferred Tax Benefit = Disallowed Loss Γ Marginal Rate
Example
Sell 1 BTC at $40,000 (basis $50,000, loss = $10,000). Buy back 10 days later at $42,000:
Days between transactions: 10 β wash sale triggered
Disallowed loss: $10,000
Adjusted basis of replacement BTC: $42,000 + $10,000 = $52,000
Deferred tax benefit (at 24%): $10,000 Γ 24% = $2,400 (saved for later)
Days between transactions: 10 β wash sale triggered
Disallowed loss: $10,000
Adjusted basis of replacement BTC: $42,000 + $10,000 = $52,000
Deferred tax benefit (at 24%): $10,000 Γ 24% = $2,400 (saved for later)
Extended
Multi-Transaction Wash Sale Tracker
Track up to 5 crypto trades and automatically detect wash sale violations across all transactions
Add up to 5 trades. The tracker automatically detects wash sales when a loss trade is followed by a buy-back within the 30-day window.
| # | Asset | Type | Date | Price | Gain/Loss | Wash Sale? | Disallowed |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does the wash sale rule now apply to cryptocurrency?
Yes. Under the 2026 tax law, the 30-day wash sale window that previously applied only to stocks and securities now also applies to cryptocurrency. If you sell crypto at a loss and buy the same or substantially identical crypto within 30 days before or after the sale, the loss is disallowed and added to the cost basis of the replacement purchase.
What is a wash sale?
A wash sale occurs when you sell a security (or now crypto) at a loss and within the 30-day window before or after the sale you buy the same or substantially identical asset. The IRS disallows the capital loss deduction β but the loss is not permanently lost. It is added to the cost basis of the replacement asset, which means you will eventually recognize it when you sell the replacement without triggering another wash sale.
How is the replacement asset cost basis adjusted?
The disallowed loss is added to the purchase price of the replacement asset. For example: you sell 1 BTC at a $5,000 loss. You buy 1 BTC 10 days later at $45,000. Your adjusted basis in the new BTC is $45,000 + $5,000 = $50,000. When you eventually sell the new BTC, you will have a $5,000 larger loss (or smaller gain).
What counts as substantially identical for crypto?
The IRS considers the same coin (BTC to BTC, ETH to ETH) as identical. Wrapped versions (wBTC counted as BTC) and staked versions of the same underlying asset may be considered substantially identical. Different coins (selling BTC and buying ETH) are generally NOT substantially identical and would not trigger a wash sale. The exact rules for crypto are still being clarified by IRS guidance.
What is the holding period of the replacement asset?
When a wash sale occurs, the holding period of the replacement asset includes the holding period of the sold asset. This means your holding period carries over, which can affect whether your eventual gain or loss is short-term or long-term. This tacking of the holding period is another reason to track wash sales carefully.