PAYE Employee Sold Crypto? Revenue Says File a Return

Updated 17 October 2026 · Information only · Not tax or financial advice

Short answer: Revenue's manual says income from employment is collected through PAYE, but an individual in receipt of PAYE income must also declare additional sources of income or gains to Revenue on an annual return through MyAccount. Where a PAYE employee has a gain on the disposal of a crypto-asset that is subject to CGT, they must file a return. The record-keeping rules, including the 6-year retention, apply to PAYE-only taxpayers too.

Who is a "chargeable person" (TDM 41A-01-01, last reviewed July 2024)

Revenue's manual says an individual is not a chargeable person for a tax year if they have PAYE income only, or PAYE income plus non-PAYE income (for example trading income, rents, dividends, deposit interest) where the total non-PAYE income assessed does not exceed €5,000 and is either taken into account in their tax credits and standard rate cut-off point or taxed at source. Revenue may look at gross non-PAYE income: someone whose gross non-PAYE income exceeds €30,000 is regarded as a chargeable person even if the assessable amount is €5,000 or less. A nil assessable profit (for example after an allowance) still makes a person chargeable, because nil profits can't be taxed through PAYE. For jointly assessed couples the thresholds apply to the combined non-PAYE income; for separate assessment or single treatment, to each person. Directors are generally chargeable, with limited exceptions. Whether crypto trading profits fall into this "non-PAYE income" is a question of fact (see below); CGT on gains is dealt with separately by the CGT return.

If you are "trading"

The manual says that where a PAYE individual is trading in crypto-assets, they may become a chargeable person for income tax purposes, which places an obligation to register for income tax and file an annual return of income. Whether you are trading is "ultimately a question of fact"; calling it a trade isn't enough (see which transactions are disposals).

Dates that apply to the CGT side (Revenue manual)

• Gains from 1 January to 30 November: tax due by 15 December of the same year.
• Gains from 1 to 31 December: tax due by 31 January of the following year.
• The return is due by 31 October of the following year (an extended deadline applies when filed through ROS). For 2026: 15 December 2026 is a Tuesday, and 31 October 2027 is a Sunday; any weekend shift of the 2027 return deadline is expected but we did not confirm it. See CGT dates.

Made-up example

A PAYE employee sells crypto in May with a chargeable gain after losses and the €1,270 exemption of €4,000. The tax for that gain is due by 15 December; the return is due 31 October the following year. Having no tax return history doesn't remove the duty (see the manual's PAYE section).

Which form (Revenue CGT page)

Revenue lists Form CG1 (paper only, for people who don't usually file annual returns or use the online Form 12), the income tax return Form 12 (paper version) for PAYE taxpayers who must file a return, and Form 11 for the self-employed or those with untaxed income. Revenue says you can't report CGT on an eForm 12. Payment is made to the Collector-General before the return is filed.

Practical steps

1. Total your gains and allowable losses for the year (exemption and losses).
2. Register and file via MyAccount (register).
3. Keep records for 6 years (records).

FAQ

Do I need to file if my gain is below €1,270?

Revenue's CGT page says you must file your CGT return by 31 October of the year after the disposal "even if no tax is due because of reliefs or allowable losses" (the manual's Example 1 shows a gain wholly covered by the exemption, net taxable amount 0).

What's the current CGT rate?

See the rate page: 31% according to Revenue (Budget 2027), to be legislated (expected).

What we could not verify

Sources (official)

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