When to hire a crypto accountant
Most people with a few exchange trades can file themselves with software. Complex cases benefit from an accountant who understands UK crypto pooling, not US FIFO. This journey helps you decide and prepare.
Quick answer
Consider an accountant if: you have heavy DeFi or staking, possible trading income status, an HMRC enquiry, cross-border residence, or simply value time over cost. Bring CSV exports, wallet lists and prior returns. Verify they are ICAEW/ACCA/CTA qualified with crypto experience.
- Step 1 Crypto tax guide 2026/27
Understand your obligations first
The canonical UK crypto tax guide for 2026/27 — CGT allowance £3,000, pooling, same-day and 30-day rules, DeFi, CARF, SA108 filing, worked examples and record-keeping.
- Step 2 DeFi tax
DeFi complexity check
How UK tax applies to decentralised finance — DEX swaps, liquidity pools, yield farming and lending. Plain English with HMRC sources.
- Step 3 Lending & borrowing
Yield and lending
How HMRC treats crypto loans, DeFi lending, stablecoin yield, liquidations and borrowing against bitcoin — Income Tax vs CGT.
- Step 4 Tax software guide
Try software before paying for advice
Compare crypto tax tools for UK Self Assessment — HMRC pooling, SA108 output, and what HMRC does not endorse.
- Step 5 Penalties & nudge letters
If HMRC contacted you
What happens if you file late, underpay crypto tax, ignore a nudge letter, or fail CARF identity checks.
- Step 6 Voluntary disclosure
Undeclared prior years
How to disclose undeclared UK crypto tax — lookback years, penalties, interest and the HMRC disclosure service.