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Bitcoin Tax in India

Gains on bitcoin and other crypto (virtual digital assets) are taxed at a flat 30% plus surcharge and cess, with no deduction except cost, and losses can't be set off or carried forward. 1% TDS is deducted on transfers above the thresholds (₹50,000 a year for most individuals).

Facts checked 26 October 2026 · Not financial, legal or tax advice

At a glance

What you sellHow the gain is taxedNotes
Bitcoin and other cryptoFlat 30% plus surcharge and cess.1% TDS; no loss set-off.

How bitcoin gains are taxed

  • Income from transferring a virtual digital asset is taxed at a flat 30% plus surcharge and cess (section 115BBH of the 1961 Act, from 1 April 2023).
  • No deduction is allowed except the cost of acquisition: no expenses, no indexation.
  • 1% TDS is deducted on payments for crypto transfers above ₹50,000 a year for most individuals (₹10,000 for others), and 20% without a PAN (now section 393(1) of the 2025 Act).
  • Losses on crypto can't be set off against any other income or carried forward.

Reporting

  • Crypto is reported transaction by transaction in Schedule VDA (dates, cost and sale value); a loss is entered as nil.
  • Crypto platforms report transactions to the tax department.

Losses

  • Losses on crypto can't be set off or carried forward.
The Income-tax Act, 2025 replaced the 1961 Act from 1 April 2026 and renumbered the sections (for example, long-term gains are now section 197 and the SGB exemption section 70(1)(x)); the 1961 numbers apply to earlier transactions.
Bitcoin tax in other countries: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · UAE · Pakistan · Saudi Arabia · all countries
See also: Bitcoin price in India · Travelling with bitcoin

Bitcoin Tax in India: FAQ

How is crypto taxed in India?

At a flat 30% plus surcharge and cess on the gain, with no deduction except cost. 1% TDS is deducted on transfers above the thresholds, and losses can't be set off or carried forward.

Can I offset crypto losses in India?

No. A loss on a virtual digital asset can't be set off against any other income, including other crypto gains, and can't be carried forward.

What is TDS on crypto?

1% of the payment for a crypto transfer, deducted by the buyer or exchange above ₹50,000 a year for most individuals (₹10,000 for others), or 20% if you don't give a PAN.

Sources (9)

General information about the rules for individual investors, checked October 2026. Tax depends on your circumstances and residence; check with the tax authority or an adviser. Not tax advice.