How to File Crypto Tax in Malta

How to File Crypto Tax in Malta (2026 Guide)

Malta is known for being crypto-friendly, but that doesn’t mean there are no tax obligations. Crypto taxes in Malta depend on how your crypto activities are classified—whether as long-term holding, active trading, or income-generating activities such as staking and mining.

Malta does not have a single, blanket capital gains tax regime for all crypto holders. Instead, income tax may apply when gains or income are realised from trading or business-like activities. Malta also participates in EU-wide reporting standards such as DAC8/CARF, meaning crypto platforms will share detailed user data with tax authorities.

How Crypto Is Taxed in Malta (2026)

Capital Gains Treatment

In Malta, capital gains on crypto are generally not taxed if the activity is considered simple investment or long-term holding without profit-taking or trading behaviour. Residents who sell crypto from long-term holdings often do not pay capital gains tax when converting to fiat.

However, if crypto activities are:

• Frequent
• Short-term
• Organised or systematic
• Resembling trading or a business

Then gains may be treated as business or trading income and taxed under normal income tax rules.

Income Tax on Crypto Income

Crypto received as income is taxable. This includes:

• Mining rewards
• Staking rewards
• Yield farming or DeFi rewards
• Airdrops
• Crypto received as payment for services

Such income is taxed at standard Maltese income tax rates, ranging from 0% to 35%, depending on your total taxable income.

Resident vs Non-Resident Status

Your tax obligations may vary based on residency status.

• Malta applies detailed residency rules that affect whether foreign-sourced income is taxable locally.
• Non-dom residents may benefit from remittance-basis taxation for certain income.

Professional advice is recommended for complex residency situations.

Tax-Free and Taxable Crypto Transactions

Generally tax-free crypto events:

• Buying crypto with fiat
• Holding crypto without disposal
• Transferring crypto between wallets you own

Taxable crypto events:

• Selling crypto
• Receiving income from staking, mining, airdrops, or DeFi yields
• Frequent trading treated as business income

Step-by-Step Filing Instructions in Malta

Step 1 – Gather All Your Crypto Records

Collect complete transaction histories from all wallets and exchanges for the relevant tax year, including:

• Trade dates and timestamps
• Acquisition costs and disposal values (in EUR)
• Transaction fees
• Records of staking or mining income
• Wallet addresses and transaction hashes

Accurate records help ensure consistency with exchange reporting under DAC8/CARF.

Step 2 – Classify Your Crypto Activity

Determine whether your crypto activity is best classified as:

• Investment/holding (infrequent, long-term)
• Trading/business-like (frequent, profit-driven)
• Income-generating (staking, mining, rewards)

This classification determines whether gains are taxable as income or potentially exempt.

Step 3 – Calculate Cost Basis and Gains

Use an accepted cost basis method (such as FIFO or average cost):

Capital gain = Disposal value (EUR) − Cost basis − Fees

For income events, calculate the fair market value in EUR on the date received and report it as income.

Step 4 – Convert All Values to Euros (EUR)

All crypto values must be converted to EUR using the exchange rate on the transaction date. Accurate conversion is essential for correct Maltese tax reporting.

Step 5 – Complete Your Maltese Tax Return (MyTax)

Crypto taxes are filed as part of your Annual Income Tax Return via the CFR MyTax portal (mytax.cfr.gov.mt).

• Report crypto income under the appropriate income sections
• If activity is classified as business, report it as business income
• Attach or disclose crypto-related details as required

If you do not normally file a return, you may need to register for an e-ID account with the CFR before filing.

Step 6 – Submit Before the Deadline

The standard Maltese tax filing deadline is:

• 30 June 2026 (for the 2025 tax year)

Filing on time helps avoid penalties and ensures compliance with national reporting timelines.

Recordkeeping Requirements

For audit readiness and DAC8/CARF compliance, maintain:

• Complete transaction lists with dates
• Detailed cost basis calculations
• Swap and transfer records
• Income receipts from staking or mining
• Exported wallet and exchange data

While Malta does not publish a strict checklist, maintaining these records is best practice.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Incorrectly classifying crypto activity (investment vs business)
2. Failing to report staking or mining income
3. Using incorrect currency conversion rates
4. Omitting wallets or exchange accounts
5. Not reporting gains treated as business income
6. Missing the 30 June filing deadline
7. Poor documentation that does not match DAC8/CARF data

These errors may lead to reassessments or penalties.

How Kryptos Helps You File Crypto Tax in Malta

Kryptos simplifies Maltese crypto tax filing by:

• Automatically importing transactions from wallets and exchanges
• Converting crypto values to EUR accurately
• Calculating cost basis, gains, losses, and income
• Differentiating investment activity from income events
• Generating ready-to-file summaries aligned with Maltese tax rules
• Producing audit-ready documentation for DAC8/CARF compliance
• Keeping all records organised in one place for CFR submission

With Kryptos, you reduce spreadsheet errors and prepare compliant reports quickly and confidently.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I pay capital gains tax when I sell crypto in Malta?
Long-term investment sales may not trigger capital gains tax, but frequent trading can be treated as business income.

2. Is staking or mining income taxable in Malta?
Yes. Staking, mining, and similar rewards are taxable as income.

3. What tax rate applies to crypto income?
Income tax rates range from 0% to 35%, depending on your total income.

4. Do I need to file if I only held crypto and didn’t sell?
Holding alone is not taxable, but any income events must still be reported.

5. Can losses be deducted?
Business or trading losses may be deductible against taxable income.

6. Will Maltese authorities receive my exchange data?
Yes. Under DAC8/CARF, exchanges report crypto transaction data to Maltese authorities.

Conclusion

Filing crypto tax in Malta in 2026 requires careful classification of transactions, accurate calculation of gains and income, conversion of all values to EUR, and timely submission via the CFR MyTax portal.

Maintaining strong records and using tools like Kryptos ensures compliance, accuracy, and peace of mind when preparing your Maltese crypto tax return.

About the author

Payam Masood

Head of Content and Social Media - Kryptos