Summary: Report crypto taxes in 5 steps Calculate your crypto gains and losses. Report gains and losses on IRS Form 8949. Include your totals from 8949 on Schedule D. Include any crypto income on Schedule 1 or Schedule C. Complete the rest of your tax return.
Because cryptocurrency transactions are pseudo-anonymous, many investors believe that they cannot be traced. This is not true. Most major blockchains have publicly visible transactions. That means that the IRS can track crypto transactions simply by matching 'anonymous' transactions to known individuals.
Typically, your crypto capital gains and losses are reported using IRS Form 8949, Schedule D, and Form 1040. Your crypto income is reported using Schedule 1 (Form 1040) or Schedule C if you're self-employed.
You need to sell the asset before it can be exchanged for a good or service, and selling crypto makes it subject to capital gains taxes.
A crypto asset is any asset that's issued or transferred using distributed ledger technology (DLT) or blockchain technology. There are many terms for crypto assets, including “digital assets,” “virtual assets,” “virtual currencies,” “coins,” “s” and “cryptocurrencies.”
The IRS treats crypto as property, so transactions that involve disposing of crypto must be reported. The key steps include calculating capital gains and losses, reporting them on Form 8949, and summarizing totals on Schedule D. Crypto income, like staking or mining, should also be reported as ordinary income.
Short-term gains from crypto held for a year or less are taxed at standard income tax rates ranging from 10-37% based on income. Long-term gains from crypto held over a year are taxed at lower rates, usually between 0% and 20%.
Key Takeaways. The best states for crypto are Wyoming, Florida, Texas, New Hampshire, Colorado, and New Hampshire. The worst states for crypto are New York, California, and Hawaii.
Is bitcoin or cryptocurrency a good investment? Bitcoin tends to be incredibly volatile compared to other investment options, experiencing significant run-ups in value, followed by quick decreases in value. Despite a recent resurgence, bitcoin has lost nearly half its value after reaching all-time highs in late 2021.
The IRS knows about Bitcoin. The tax code treats crypto as property, so you owe taxes on gains when you sell, trade, or use it.