Crypto Tax Comparison Calculator
Compare your annual crypto trading profits between India and Dubai based on current tax policies.
India Tax
30% profit tax + 1% TDS on transactions over $50,000
$0.00
Total Tax PaidDubai Tax
0% income tax, capital gains tax, or TDS
$0.00
Total Tax PaidYour Savings
Net amount kept after taxes
$0.00
Total SavedBased on article data: India applies 30% tax on profits + 1% TDS on transactions over $50,000. Dubai has 0% tax on all crypto activities.
Every year, thousands of Indian crypto traders are packing up and leaving. Not because the market crashed, or because they lost money. But because they can keep more of it - legally - by moving to Dubai.
In India, if you make $100,000 from Bitcoin or Ethereum trades, the government takes $30,000 before you even see a rupee. That’s not a guess. That’s the law. Since April 2022, India has imposed a flat 30% tax on all crypto profits, no matter how long you held the asset. No deductions. No loss offsets. Not even your trading fees count. On top of that, every time you sell over ₹50,000, 1% gets automatically withheld as TDS. It doesn’t matter if you’re a day trader or a long-term holder. The tax hits the same way.
Now compare that to Dubai.
There, you pay zero. Not 1%. Not 5%. Not 10%. Zero. No income tax. No capital gains tax. No wealth tax. If you turn $100,000 into $1 million through crypto, you keep every single dirham. No one asks for a cut. No forms to file. No audits for your wallet addresses. Just pure, untaxed growth.
This isn’t a loophole. It’s policy. The UAE has made a deliberate choice to become a global hub for digital assets. While India treats crypto like a risky gamble, Dubai treats it like a legitimate asset class - and regulates it that way. The Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) sets clear rules. Exchanges need licenses. Custodians must comply. Traders get clarity. That’s why Coinbase, Binance, and Kraken all opened regional offices in Dubai. That’s why hedge funds and family offices are setting up shop here.
But here’s the real game-changer: you don’t need to be rich to benefit. If you’re trading $50,000 a year, the math is simple. In India, you pay $15,000 in taxes plus $500 in TDS. In Dubai? You pay $0. That’s $15,500 back in your pocket. For someone trading $500,000 a year? That’s $150,000 saved. That’s not just tax savings - that’s a new lifestyle.
And it’s not just about personal trading. Many Indian traders are setting up UAE-based companies - often in free zones like DMCC or IFZA. These zones let foreigners own 100% of a business. No local partner needed. You register your company, open a UAE bank account, and start trading under that entity. If your annual revenue stays under AED 375,000 ($102,000), you pay 0% corporate tax. Even above that, the rate is just 9%. Compare that to India’s 30% personal tax plus 22% corporate tax for companies. The difference is staggering.
Relocating isn’t just about taxes, though. Dubai offers something India can’t match: access. International banks. Global payment gateways. Crypto-friendly fintechs. Visa options tied to business ownership. You can get a five-year residence visa by registering a company in a free zone. No property purchase needed. No minimum salary. Just a valid business structure and a bank account. Many Indian traders are using this route to legally establish residency while continuing to trade globally.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. Setting up a company in Dubai takes time. You need legal help. You need accounting support. You need to understand VARA’s reporting rules. You can’t just show up with a suitcase and start trading. You need structure. You need documentation. You need to prove your business is real - not just a tax shelter. That’s why more Indian traders are hiring UAE-based crypto lawyers and tax advisors. It’s an investment, but one that pays for itself within months for serious traders.
There’s also the question of Indian tax obligations. Just because you move doesn’t mean India forgets you. If you’re still considered a tax resident of India - meaning you spent more than 182 days there last year - you might still owe taxes on global income. The key is to change your tax residency status properly. That means cutting ties: closing Indian bank accounts linked to crypto, stopping use of Indian addresses for exchange registrations, and proving you now live and operate from Dubai. This isn’t hiding. It’s legal reclassification. Done right, it’s perfectly compliant.
And what about the future? The UAE is rolling out the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), starting in 2025, with full data sharing by 2028. That sounds scary - but it’s not a tax. It’s transparency. Exchanges will report your name, residency, and transaction history to tax authorities. But they won’t take your money. They’ll just tell India you made $2 million. If you’ve already moved your tax residency, that’s not a problem. It’s just paperwork. The UAE isn’t taxing you. India still is - unless you’re no longer their resident.
Some people say Dubai is just a tax haven. That’s true - but so is Singapore, Switzerland, and Portugal. The difference? Dubai doesn’t pretend. It doesn’t hide behind complex rules. It says: we want crypto here. We’ll give you clarity, access, and zero tax. And traders are voting with their feet.
The numbers don’t lie. Over 12,000 Indian nationals applied for UAE residency visas in 2024 through business routes - up 400% since 2021. Crypto traders make up a growing share. Dubai’s crypto industry grew 87% last year alone. More than 180 licensed crypto firms now operate in the emirate. The ecosystem is real. It’s growing. And it’s built for people who trade digital assets seriously.
For those still in India, the question isn’t whether Dubai is worth it. It’s whether staying is worth the cost. Every day you wait, you’re paying 30% more than you need to. Every trade you make, you’re giving up thousands in potential savings. The tools to change exist. The path is clear. The only thing left is the decision.
It’s not about leaving India. It’s about keeping what you’ve earned.
