Is there a de minimis exemption for crypto?
No US de minimis crypto tax exemption exists as of November 2026. Even small purchases paid in crypto are taxable, though a House bill would exempt tiny fees.
There is no de minimis crypto tax exemption in the United States as of November 2026. Any gain or loss from spending, selling or swapping crypto must be reported, however small the amount. Congress is considering a narrow exemption for tiny network fees, and campaigners want a broader one, but neither is law.
Is there a de minimis rule for crypto in the US?
No. A de minimis rule would let people ignore gains below a set amount. The IRS says income, gain or loss from taxable digital asset transactions must be reported regardless of the amount, and its digital asset FAQs set out no small-transaction exception.
The root cause is classification. In Notice 2014-21 the IRS said virtual currency is not treated as currency that could generate foreign currency gain or loss. Crypto is property, so every disposal is measured against its cost basis, as explained in how crypto is taxed in the US. The $600 figure people often cite is a form-filing threshold, not an exemption, as do you have to report crypto under $600 explains.
Are small crypto purchases taxable?
Yes, if the coin has changed in value since you got it. The IRS says paying for services with digital assets is a disposition that creates a capital gain or loss. If you bought bitcoin for $40 and spend it on a $50 meal, the $10 difference is a gain.
Network fees work the same way. The IRS says units used to pay a transfer fee are disposed of, so even a small gas fee paid in ether can produce a tiny gain or loss.
What de minimis crypto tax exemption has Congress proposed?
The main live proposal is the Digital Asset Tax Certainty Act (H.R. 10357). The House Ways and Means Committee approved it on September 16, 2026. According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, it would let taxpayers recognize no gain or loss when they dispose of crypto to pay network or transaction fees of $10 or less in aggregate. It would apply to dispositions after December 31, 2027.
The same bill would treat qualified US dollar stablecoins at their redemption value from 2027, which would remove most small gains on them. As of early October 2026 it had not reached a House floor vote, and Forvis Mazars noted that action in the full House and Senate was uncertain.
Would a de minimis tax rule cover bitcoin?
Not under H.R. 10357, beyond fees. The Crypto Council for Innovation, an industry group, has said it wants broader relief covering payment stablecoins and major network tokens. An earlier Senate draft reported by The Paypers in July 2025 proposed exempting gains up to $300, with a $5,000 annual cap.
The UK has no de minimis rule either. HMRC charges Capital Gains Tax on disposals, but the first £3,000 of total gains in 2026 to 2027 is tax-free, as covered in how crypto is taxed in the UK.
Rules differ by country and change often. Check the tax authority or a qualified professional for your own situation.
This guide explains how things work. It is not financial, legal or tax advice. Last updated .