The UK tax year ends on 5 April. Here’s a checklist for crypto investors to get organised before the deadline.
Before 5 April (Tax Year End)
| Task | Why |
|---|
| Calculate all gains and losses | Know your CGT position |
| Harvest losses | Offset gains before year-end |
| Use your CGT allowance | £3,000 for 2025-26 |
| Check staking and airdrop income | Under £1,000 trading allowance? |
| Review your records | Complete and accurate? |
| Check exchange statements | Match your records |
| Identify any missing transactions | Fill gaps now |
After 5 April (Tax Year Ended)
| Task | Deadline |
|---|
| File self assessment | 31 January (following year) |
| Pay CGT due | 31 January |
| Report gains on property (if applicable) | Within 60 days |
| Keep records for 6 years | HMRC can investigate |
CGT Allowance Check
| Year | Allowance | Check |
|---|
| 2025-26 | £3,000 | Gains under this? No tax due |
| Gains over £3,000 | Taxable | Calculate and report |
If your total disposals exceed £50,000, you must report even if gains are under the allowance.
Loss Harvesting Checklist
| Task | Details |
|---|
| Identify losing positions | Check your portfolio |
| Sell before 5 April | Realise the loss this tax year |
| Don’t buy back within 30 days | B&B rules apply |
| Offset against gains | Reduce tax bill |
| Carry forward unused losses | Report within 4 years |
Income Check
| Type | Allowance | Action |
|---|
| Staking rewards | £1,000 trading allowance | Sum total value |
| Airdrops | £1,000 trading allowance | Value when received |
| Lending interest | £1,000 trading allowance | Track each payment |
| Mining income | £1,000 trading allowance | Report if over |
Record Keeping Check
| Record | Have It? |
|---|
| Transaction history from all exchanges | |
| Wallet addresses used | |
| DeFi interaction records | |
| Staking and lending logs | |
| NFT purchase and sale records | |
| Bank statements showing deposits | |
| Gas fee records | |
| Cost basis calculations | |
Common Mistakes at Year-End
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|
| Forgetting small transactions | Include everything |
| Missing DeFi activities | Track lending, staking, swaps |
| Not reporting losses | Losses offset future gains |
| Ignoring token-to-token trades | Each trade is a disposal |
| No records for cost basis | Calculate before you need it |
Bottom Line
The tax year ends 5 April. Calculate gains, harvest losses, and check your income allowances before the deadline. Keep complete records. Report gains over £3,000 and disposals over £50,000. File by 31 January. If you’re unsure, get professional advice — HMRC is increasingly active on crypto.
This content is for educational purposes only. Not financial advice. Do your own research before investing.