Crypto / VDA Tax Calculator
Tax on crypto and other virtual digital assets at 30% plus surcharge and cess, with no loss set-off and the 1% TDS — Section 115BBH / Section 194.
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The VDA / Crypto Tax Calculator works out the tax on gains from transferring virtual digital assets such as cryptocurrency and NFTs. Gains are taxed at a flat 30%, plus surcharge and 4% cess, with no deduction other than the cost of acquisition and no set-off of losses, under Section 115BBH of the Income-tax Act, 1961 for FY 2025-26 and Section 194 (Table Sl. No. 4) of the Income-tax Act, 2025 from Tax Year 2026-27. It also shows the 1% TDS (Section 194S / Section 393(1)) that is credited against this tax.
Use the Crypto / VDA Tax Calculator
Tax on VDA Income
Enter each sale, swap or other transfer of a virtual digital asset (cryptocurrency, NFT or similar token) made in the year. The gain on each transfer is the sale value less its cost of acquisition only; exchange fees, gas fees and other expenses are not deductible. The gain is taxed at 30% from the first rupee, whatever your slab. A loss on one asset cannot be set off against a gain on another asset, or against any other income, and cannot be carried forward, so the tool ignores losses.
FY 2025-26 and Tax Year 2026-27 compared
| Item | FY 2025-26 (Act of 1961) | Tax Year 2026-27 (Act of 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of VDA | Section 2(47A) | Definition in the 2025 Act; now expressly includes crypto-assets |
| Tax on transfer | 30%, Section 115BBH | 30%, Section 194, Table Sl. No. 4 |
| Deductions and losses | Only cost of acquisition; loss not set off and not carried forward | Same |
| TDS by the buyer / exchange | 1%, Section 194S | 1%, Section 393(1), Table Sl. No. 8(vi) |
| TDS threshold (aggregate in the year) | ₹50,000 where the payer is a specified person; ₹10,000 otherwise | Same (Section 393(4), Table Sl. No. 12) |
| Rebate (new regime) | Section 87A rebate does not reduce tax on special-rate income | Section 156 rebate limited to tax at the Section 202 slab rates |
- No basic exemption: the 30% applies to the whole gain even if your total income is below the basic exemption limit, and in the new regime the rebate cannot be used against it.
- Surcharge: the normal slabs apply on total income (10% above ₹50 lakh, 15% above ₹1 crore, 25% above ₹2 crore, 37% above ₹5 crore in the old regime; capped at 25% in the new regime). The 15% cap for listed equity gains and dividends does not apply to VDA income.
- Crypto-to-crypto swaps are transfers: each side is valued at its fair value on the date of the swap, and TDS applies to consideration in kind as well.
- Mining and staking: the cost of acquisition of mined tokens is generally taken as nil. Tokens received as a gift may be taxed as income from other sources when received, and the value so taxed is generally treated as the cost.
- TDS: deducted by the exchange (or by the buyer in a peer-to-peer deal) at 1% of the sale value, or 20% without a valid PAN. A specified person is an individual or HUF with no business or professional income, or with turnover up to ₹1 crore (business) or gross receipts up to ₹50 lakh (profession) in the previous year. Check the TDS in your AIS before filing.
- Return: VDA transfers are reported in Schedule VDA of ITR-2 or ITR-3 (ITR-1 and ITR-4 cannot be used).
Law used: Sections 2(47A), 115BBH and 194S of the Income-tax Act, 1961; Sections 194 (Table Sl. No. 4), 156, 202, 393(1) (Table Sl. No. 8(vi)) and 393(4) (Table Sl. No. 12) of the Income-tax Act, 2025. Read the bare Act on incometaxindia.gov.in and check the TDS credit on the e-Filing portal (AIS). Surcharge rates follow the First Schedule of the Finance Act for the year; verify on incometaxindia.gov.in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is crypto or other VDA income taxed in India?
Can I set off a crypto loss against a crypto gain?
Are exchange fees and gas fees deductible?
What is the 1% TDS on crypto and how do I claim it?
Do I pay 30% on crypto gains even if my income is below the exemption limit?
Due in the next 30 days
Income tax- TDS / TCS deposit (e-Pay Tax, Challan ITNS 281) for October
- ITR Filing (taxpayers under audit, companies)
- ITR Filing (international / specified domestic TP)
Full compliance calendar → Statutory dates, which can be extended by notification. General information only.