US taxes
Crypto taxes in the United States
Understand taxable events, cost basis, holding periods and the records behind a US return.
Use the US rules for a US return.
A disposal can be taxable without a dollar withdrawal. Holding for more than one year can change the gain category; it does not establish a blanket exemption.
Start with acquisition dates, USD basis, disposals and self-transfers. Broker statements can leave transferred-in assets without an original basis.
Work through your numbers
2026 regular federal capital-gain scenario, holding category and local record worksheet.
Open US tax toolsGuides by topic
Short-term or long-term crypto gains?
In the US, holding crypto for more than one year can change the capital-gain category. It does not automatically make a sale tax-free.
Crypto-to-crypto swaps and US taxes
Swapping XRP for BTC or a stablecoin can realize a gain or loss even when you never withdraw dollars.
Staking rewards: income first, a sale later
US staking rewards can be income when you gain dominion and control, with a separate gain or loss when the reward is sold.
Airdrops and hard forks: keep control and value separate
A hard fork alone and an airdrop you can actually control are different events under IRS guidance.
Mining income and the records behind it
Separate the USD value of coins received from the later profit or loss when those coins are sold.
Crypto lending: identify what the contract does
Interest, rewards, collateral and an outright transfer need separate US tax analysis.
DeFi taxes: map the actions before calculating
Swaps, liquidity, receipts and bridge movements do not all have the same treatment.
NFT taxes: the asset and the transaction both matter
NFT sales, creation income and potential collectibles treatment need separate records.
Margin trading: tax records beyond a profit screen
Spot positions, borrowing, liquidation and derivatives can follow different rules.
Crypto capital losses: netting and carryovers
Investment losses can offset capital gains, with limits on what reduces other income.
Crypto gifts: preserve the donor’s records
Receiving a genuine gift is different from receiving crypto for work or as a reward.
Inherited crypto: access and tax basis are separate
An estate inventory needs both recoverable access and valuation evidence.
Which US tax forms report crypto?
Capital disposals, income receipts and gifts take different reporting routes.
Prepare a US crypto tax return from complete records
A step-by-step workflow for reconciling accounts before producing the forms.
What crypto records should you keep for the IRS?
Document quantity, ownership, USD value and basis so a return can be reconstructed.
The US crypto tax source map
Use current IRS rules for the transaction year rather than a translated foreign tax guide.
Form 1099-DA and cross-border crypto records
Broker reporting can reveal proceeds while leaving you responsible for the basis and the rest of your activity.
Is selling crypto tax-free in the US?
There is no automatic one-year exemption. The gain, category and your wider tax situation matter.
Crypto gambling: access is not proof of legality
Gambling income, crypto disposals and location restrictions need separate checks.
Sources & limits
Source review: Oct 1, 2026. Availability and provider terms can change.