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 Chesnot/Getty Images 6 min read Published July 19, 2022 Written by James Royal Written by James RoyalArrow RightSenior investing and wealth management reporter Bankrate senior reporter James F. Royal, Ph.D., covers investing and wealth management. His work has been cited by CNBC, the Washington Post, The New York Times and more.
James Royal Edited by Brian Beers Edited by Brian BeersArrow RightManaging editor Brian Beers is the managing editor for the Wealth team at Bankrate. He oversees editorial coverage of banking, investing, the economy and all things money. Love it or hate it, tax season is here and that means all U.S. citizens that traded or sold crypto over the last year will be required to report their gains and losses. This piece is part of CoinDesk's Tax Week. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), most cryptocurrencies are convertible virtual currencies. This means that they act as a medium of exchange, a store of value, a unit of account, and can be substituted for real money. It also means that any profits or income created from your cryptocurrency is taxable. However, there is much to unpack regarding how cryptocurrency is taxed because you may or may not owe taxes in given situations. If you own or use cryptocurrency, it's important to know when you'll be taxed so that you're not surprised when the IRS comes to collect.
When Is Cryptocurrency Taxed?Cryptocurrencies on their own are not taxable—you're not expected to pay taxes for holding one. The IRS treats cryptocurrencies as property for tax purposes, which means:
How Do Cryptocurrency Taxes Work?Because cryptocurrencies are viewed as assets by the IRS, they trigger tax events when used as payment or cashed in. When you realize a gain—sell, exchange, or use crypto that has increased in value—you owe taxes on that gain. For example, if you bought 1 BTC at $6,000 and sold it at $8,000 three months later, you'd owe taxes on the $2,000 gain at the short-term capital gains tax rate. Profits on the sale of assets held for less than one year are taxable at your usual tax rate. For the 2022 tax year, that's between 0% and 37%, depending on your income. If the same trade took place a year or more after the crypto purchase, you'd owe long-term capital gains taxes. Depending on your overall taxable income, that would be 0%, 15%, or 20% for the 2022 tax year. In this way, crypto taxes work similarly to taxes on other assets or property. They create taxable events for the owners when they are used and gains are realized. That makes the events that trigger the taxes the most crucial factor in understanding crypto taxes. Types of Cryptocurrency Tax EventsTaxable EventsTaxable events related to cryptocurrency include:
Non-Taxable EventsThe following are not taxable events according to the IRS:
Examples of Cryptocurrency Tax EventsMake a Purchase With CryptoMaking a purchase with your crypto is easier than ever. However, this convenience comes with a price; you'll pay sales tax and create a taxable capital gain or loss event at the time of the sale. Here's how it would work if you bought a candy bar with your crypto:
So, you're getting taxed twice when you use your cryptocurrency if its value has increased—sales tax and capital gains tax. Buying CryptocurrencySay you bought one bitcoin (BTC) for about $3,700 in early 2019. In late February 2022, 1 BTC was worth $38,500. You could have used it to buy a new car. There are tax implications for both you and the seller in this transaction.
Cashing Out CryptocurrencyWhen exchanging cryptocurrency for fiat money, you'll need to know the cost basis of the virtual coin you're selling. The cost basis for cryptocurrency is the total price in fees and money you paid. When you exchange your crypto for cash, you subtract the cost basis from the crypto's fair market value at the time of the transaction to get the capital gains or loss. The amount left over is the taxable amount if you have a gain. Similar to other assets, your taxable profits (or losses) on cryptocurrency are recorded as capital gains or capital losses. Cryptocurrency MiningThe rules are different for those who mine cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency miners verify transactions in cryptocurrency and add them to the blockchain. They're compensated for the work done with rewards in cryptocurrency. Their compensation is taxable as ordinary income unless the mining is part of a business enterprise. If the crypto was earned as part of a business, the miners report it as business income and can deduct the expenses that went into their mining operations, such as mining hardware and electricity. Exchanging CryptocurrenciesExchanging one cryptocurrency for another also exposes you to taxes. For example, if you buy one crypto with another, you're essentially using one to buy another. You'll need to report any gains or losses on the crypto you exchanged. Many exchanges help crypto traders keep all this information organized by offering free exports of all trading data. The trader, or the trader's tax professional, can use this to determine the trader's taxes due. Cryptocurrency Tax ReportingTo be accurate when you're reporting your taxes, you'll need to be somewhat more organized throughout the year than someone who doesn't have investments. For example, you'll need to ensure that with each cryptocurrency transaction, you have a log of the amount you spent and its market value at the time you used it. Cryptocurrency brokers—generally crypto exchanges—will be required to issue 1099 forms to their clients in tax year 2023 for filing purposes in 2024. You can do this manually or choose a blockchain solution platform that can help you track and organize this data. For example, platforms like CoinTracker provide transaction and portfolio tracking that enables you to manage your digital assets and ensure that you have access to your cryptocurrency tax information. Cryptocurrency capital gains and losses are reported along with other capital gains and losses on IRS form 8949, Sales and Dispositions of Capital Assets. If you're unsure about cryptocurrency taxes, it's best to talk to a certified accountant when attempting to file them, at least for the first time. How Much Tax Do I Owe on Crypto?How much tax you owe on your crypto depends on how much you spend or exchange, your income level and tax bracket, and how long you have held the crypto you used. For example, you'll owe taxes at your usual income tax rate if you've owned it less than one year and capital gains taxes on it if you've held it longer than one year. How Can I Avoid Paying Taxes on Crypto?There are no legal ways to avoid paying taxes on your crypto except not using it. You'll eventually pay taxes when you sell it, use it, convert it to fiat, exchange it, or trade it—if your crypto experienced an increase in value. Do I Pay Taxes on Crypto If I Don't Sell?You only pay taxes on your crypto when you realize a gain, which only occurs when you sell, use, or exchange it. Holding a cryptocurrency is not a taxable event. Do I have to pay taxes if I pay with crypto?But exactly how crypto taxes are calculated depends on your specific circumstances. Here's how it boils down: If you acquired crypto from mining or as payment for goods or services, that value is taxable immediately, like earned income. You don't wait to sell, trade or use it before settling up with the IRS.
How much tax is charge for crypto?How much is crypto taxed in the USA? You'll pay up to 37% tax on short-term capital gains and crypto income and between 0% to 20% tax on long-term capital gains. The amount of tax you'll pay on crypto in the USA depends on how much you earn, the specific transaction and how long you've held the asset.
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How much are you taxed on cryptocurrency
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