Kalshi tax calculator

Kalshi does not hand you a single filable profit number, and the tax treatment of event contracts is still unsettled. This calculator estimates your federal tax under the two treatments traders argue about most: ordinary income and the Section 1256 60/40 blend.

Enter your net realized profit and your rates below. This is a planning estimate, not tax advice, and it does not include state tax.

As ordinary income
$2,400.00
Section 1256 (60/40)
$1,860.00
Saved under 1256
$540.00
5.4% of profit

The 60/40 blend taxes 60 percent of the gain at the long-term capital gains rate and 40 percent at your ordinary rate. Whether event contracts qualify for Section 1256 is unsettled, so treat this as a planning estimate, not advice. State tax is not included.

Ordinary income vs Section 1256

Treated as ordinary income, your whole profit is taxed at your marginal rate. Under Section 1256, 60 percent is taxed at the lower long-term capital gains rate and 40 percent at your ordinary rate, regardless of how long you held, which usually lowers the bill.

Whether Kalshi contracts qualify for Section 1256 treatment is debated and not settled by the IRS, so the right answer for your situation is something to confirm with a tax professional.

What this leaves out

This is a federal estimate at the rates you enter. It excludes state income tax, the net investment income tax, and the interaction with your other income, all of which can move the real number.

It also assumes you have already netted wins against losses to get a single profit figure. Loss treatment differs by method, which is part of why the classification matters.

FAQ

How is Kalshi taxed?
Kalshi profit is taxable, but the exact treatment is unsettled. The two most-discussed options are ordinary income and the Section 1256 60/40 blend. This calculator estimates both so you can see the difference.
Does Kalshi send a 1099?
Kalshi has issued tax forms to users, but you are responsible for reporting your gains regardless. Keep your full transaction history so you can compute an accurate profit figure.
Is the Section 1256 treatment guaranteed for Kalshi?
No. Whether event contracts qualify for Section 1256 is not settled by the IRS. Treat the 60/40 figure as a planning scenario and confirm with a tax professional before filing.
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These tools are for education and estimation only, not financial or tax advice. Fee estimates use Kalshi’s standard formula and may differ from your actual fees.