Sources checked 9 November 2026. Box numbers are from CT600 (2026) Version 3. This page is general education for a UK or US company that holds bitcoin. It is not legal, tax, accounting or investment advice, and it does not say whether to buy, hold or sell. If anything here conflicts with the linked source, the source wins.
Short answer
For most UK companies that simply hold bitcoin, the year end has two separate tracks. The accounts value the holding at the reporting date under FRS 105 or FRS 102. The tax return ignores that valuation and taxes gains and losses when bitcoin is disposed of, under the chargeable gains rules, entered in boxes 210 to 220 of the CT600. The records that join the two are a sterling ledger, a pool computation and evidence of the price method.
This page is mainly about UK companies. A short US section maps the equivalents. Choose your country.
UK: the accounts at the reporting date
| Standard | Measurement | Year-end task |
|---|---|---|
| FRS 105 (micro-entities) | Historical cost; no revaluation | Look for impairment indicators and write down if needed; keep the workings. |
| FRS 102 Section 1A or full FRS 102: cost model | Cost less amortisation and impairment | Assess at each reporting date whether there is any indication of impairment; agree useful life and residual value judgements. |
| FRS 102: revaluation model | Fair value by reference to an active market | Revalue at the reporting date; increases to other comprehensive income; decreases first against any revaluation surplus for that asset, then in profit or loss. |
Which column applies, whether bitcoin is an intangible asset or stock, and whether its market is "active" are judgements for your accountant. The full reasoning is on FRS 105 and bitcoin and FRS 102 and bitcoin, which also covers the FRS 102 changes for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2026.
Source: FRC: FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, GOV.UK: Prepare annual accounts: micro-entities, small and dormant companies (size thresholds).
UK: the CT600
HMRC does not treat bitcoin as money or currency. If the company is not trading in it and it is not charged another way, a disposal is the disposal of a capital asset and any gain is a chargeable gain. The intangible fixed assets rules take priority only where a token is both an intangible asset in the accounts and created or acquired "for use on a continuing basis"; HMRC says tokens simply held, even in the course of the company's activities, will not meet that definition.
Source: HMRC: CRYPTO41050: Corporation Tax, introduction (not money or currency; chargeable gains by default), HMRC: CRYPTO41150: Corporation Tax, intangible fixed assets (tokens simply held are not intangible fixed assets).
| CT600 box | Label on the form | What goes in it |
|---|---|---|
| 210 | Gross chargeable gains | Gains on bitcoin disposals in the period, with other chargeable gains. |
| 215 | Allowable losses including losses brought forward | Losses on disposals, plus capital losses carried forward. |
| 220 | Net chargeable gains | Box 210 minus box 215. |
The practical consequences for a company that only holds:
- No disposal, no chargeable gain. An impairment or a revaluation in the accounts is not itself a disposal. Your accountant will adjust the tax computation so accounting movements on the bitcoin are not taxed or relieved twice.
- Pooling. Companies pool bitcoin, with same day and ten day matching rules ahead of the pool. Spending bitcoin on a fee, a supplier or an exchange for another token is a disposal too.
- Losses. A capital loss can be set only against chargeable gains, now or later. Negligible value claims, lost private keys and theft each have their own HMRC guidance.
- Trading is rare. If the company really does trade in bitcoin, profits go through the trading figures instead. HMRC expects that only in exceptional cases.
Source: HMRC: CRYPTO41350: Corporation Tax on chargeable gains, pooling and the same day and ten day rules, HMRC: CRYPTO41400: Corporation Tax on chargeable gains, losses, HMRC: CRYPTO41450: Corporation Tax on chargeable gains, negligible value claims, HMRC: CRYPTO41500: Corporation Tax on chargeable gains, loss of private keys, HMRC: CRYPTO41550: Corporation Tax on chargeable gains, theft, HMRC: CRYPTO40150: Is the business trading in cryptoassets?.
UK: the dates
Accounts to Companies House within 9 months of the year end; Corporation Tax payable 9 months and 1 day after the end of the accounting period for companies with taxable profits up to £1.5 million; the CT600 within 12 months. A 31 March 2026 year end means accounts by 31 December 2026, tax paid by 1 January 2027 and the return by 31 March 2027.
Source: GOV.UK: Accounts and tax returns for private limited companies: deadlines (first accounts 21 months, then 9 months), GOV.UK: Company Tax Returns: deadlines (12 months to file, payment usually 9 months and 1 day), GOV.UK: Pay your Corporation Tax bill: deadlines by size of taxable profits.
UK: the records HMRC expects
HMRC puts the onus on the taxpayer, because exchanges may keep records only briefly or disappear. For each transaction, keep:
- The type of cryptoasset (bitcoin) and the date of the transaction.
- Whether it was bought or sold, and the number of units.
- The value in pounds sterling at the date of the transaction, and how you arrived at it.
- The cumulative total of units held, which is your pool.
- Bank statements and wallet addresses, in case HMRC opens an enquiry.
- Your valuation methodology, applied consistently, as HMRC asks for in CRYPTO40100.
Source: HMRC: CRYPTO10400: record keeping (what each record must include), HMRC: CRYPTO40100: conversion to sterling and keeping the valuation methodology.
Company accounting records must be kept for 6 years from the end of the financial year they relate to, longer in some cases.
Source: GOV.UK: Running a limited company: company and accounting records (keep for 6 years).
UK: provider reporting
Since 1 January 2026 UK crypto providers have collected due diligence information under the Cryptoasset Reporting Framework and will report to HMRC each year. A company customer must supply what is asked, including about controlling persons. Your CT600 is still built from your own records.
Source: HMRC: CRYPTO49000: Cryptoasset Reporting Framework, including business customers of a provider.
US: the same steps for a US corporation
| UK step | US equivalent | Where it is covered |
|---|---|---|
| FRS 105 or FRS 102 at the reporting date | ASU 2023-08 fair value at each reporting date | US accounting |
| CT600 boxes 210 to 220 | Form 8949 and Schedule D, with Form 1120 or 1120-S | Company tax (US) |
| Pooling and matching rules | Specific identification wallet by wallet since 2025 | Bookkeeping examples |
| CARF provider reporting | Form 1099-DA from custodial brokers, where issued | Form 1099-DA |
Source: FASB: ASU 2023-08, Intangibles: Goodwill and Other, Crypto Assets (Subtopic 350-60), IRS: About Form 8949, Sales and Other Dispositions of Capital Assets, IRS: Instructions for Form 1099-DA (2026).
Open points to check with your accountant
- Whether the revaluation model is open to you, and how any revaluation reserve affects distributable profits.
- How impairments and reversals are adjusted in the Corporation Tax computation for your company.
- Whether any activity in the year (for example frequent dealing or taking bitcoin as payment) changes the tax analysis.
Read next
- Year-end checklist (UK and US), the full pack.
- Company tax on bitcoin, disposals, pooling and losses.
- UK accounting under FRS 102, cost, revaluation and impairment.
- Making Tax Digital and bitcoin, where bitcoin fits.
Sources
Primary sources only. Each link was checked on 9 November 2026. Rules change, so confirm the current version with your adviser.
- FRCFRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland
- GOV.UKPrepare annual accounts: micro-entities, small and dormant companies (size thresholds)
- HMRCCRYPTO41050: Corporation Tax, introduction (not money or currency; chargeable gains by default)
- HMRCCRYPTO41150: Corporation Tax, intangible fixed assets (tokens simply held are not intangible fixed assets)
- HMRCCompany Tax Return form CT600 (2026) Version 3, boxes 210 to 220 for chargeable gains (PDF, page last updated 1 April 2026)
- HMRCCRYPTO41350: Corporation Tax on chargeable gains, pooling and the same day and ten day rules
- HMRCCRYPTO41400: Corporation Tax on chargeable gains, losses
- HMRCCRYPTO41450: Corporation Tax on chargeable gains, negligible value claims
- HMRCCRYPTO41500: Corporation Tax on chargeable gains, loss of private keys
- HMRCCRYPTO41550: Corporation Tax on chargeable gains, theft
- HMRCCRYPTO40150: Is the business trading in cryptoassets?
- GOV.UKAccounts and tax returns for private limited companies: deadlines (first accounts 21 months, then 9 months)
- GOV.UKCompany Tax Returns: deadlines (12 months to file, payment usually 9 months and 1 day)
- GOV.UKPay your Corporation Tax bill: deadlines by size of taxable profits
- HMRCCRYPTO10400: record keeping (what each record must include)
- HMRCCRYPTO40100: conversion to sterling and keeping the valuation methodology
- GOV.UKRunning a limited company: company and accounting records (keep for 6 years)
- HMRCCRYPTO49000: Cryptoasset Reporting Framework, including business customers of a provider
- FASBASU 2023-08, Intangibles: Goodwill and Other, Crypto Assets (Subtopic 350-60)
- IRSAbout Form 8949, Sales and Other Dispositions of Capital Assets
- IRSInstructions for Form 1099-DA (2026)
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This is general information and education only. It is not financial, investment, tax, accounting, legal or regulatory advice, and it is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold bitcoin or any other asset. It does not take account of your circumstances or those of your company. You must obtain your own official professional advice to confirm this information is correct before acting on it.
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