Crypto tax guides, in plain English.

Every guide cites the official IRS source. No invented numbers, no copied blog claims — updated for the 2026 tax year. The IRS overview behind most of them is Topic 409, Capital Gains and Losses.

Crypto tax basics

Start here: how crypto is taxed, which events create tax, and how gains, losses, and everyday income fit together.

Basics

How Is Cryptocurrency Taxed?

Property treatment, the two tax tracks, and 2026 rates — the full mechanics in plain English.

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Basics

Crypto Tax for Beginners

The gentlest starter guide: five must-knows, key terms, and the only three forms to learn.

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Basics

What Crypto Activity Is Taxable?

Selling, trading, spending, staking, airdrops — which events create tax and which don't.

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Basics

Do You Pay Taxes on Crypto Trades?

Why every crypto-to-crypto swap is generally taxable — even with no cash-out.

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Basics

Do You Owe Crypto Tax If You Didn't Sell?

No sale, no capital gains — but staking, airdrops, swaps, and spending can still create tax.

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Tax rates

Crypto Capital Gains Tax Rates 2026

The one-year holding rule, 2026 short-term vs. long-term thresholds by filing status, and worked examples.

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Basics

How to Calculate Crypto Gains and Losses

Proceeds minus basis, step by step, with worked examples.

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Income

Staking & Mining Income Tax Guide

Why rewards are ordinary income at fair market value, airdrop headaches, and how to track it all.

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Losses and cost basis

How losses are deducted and harvested, where the wash-sale rule stands, and how your cost-basis method changes the final bill.

Basics

Are Crypto Losses Tax Deductible?

How loss deductions work: netting, the $3,000 annual limit, carryforwards, and the wash-sale question.

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Year-end

Crypto Tax-Loss Harvesting in 2026: A Year-End Guide

Turn losing positions into tax savings before Dec 31: how loss offsetting works, the $3,000 deduction rule, and why the wash-sale rule treats crypto differently.

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IRS guidance

Does the Wash-Sale Rule Apply to Crypto?

On September 16, 2026, the House Ways and Means Committee voted 38-5 to advance H.R. 10357, which would extend wash-sale rules to crypto for the first

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Cost basis

Crypto Cost Basis Methods Explained

FIFO, LIFO, HIFO, and specific identification — how the choice changes your tax bill, with worked examples.

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Forms, filing, and fixing mistakes

The forms themselves — Form 8949, Form 1099-DA, the reporting workflow, deadlines, and how to correct years that went unreported.

Filing

How to Report Crypto on Your Tax Return

Form 8949, Schedule D, Form 1040, the digital-asset question, and what to do with a 1099-DA.

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IRS forms

Form 8949 for Crypto: Line-by-Line

Parts I and II, boxes A–F, columns (a)–(h), adjustment codes, and when you can skip straight to Schedule D.

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2026 rules

Form 1099-DA Basis Reporting in 2026

Covered vs. noncovered assets, why your form may show proceeds with no basis, and what to do before you file.

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Records

Crypto Tax Records: What to Keep

The records the IRS expects, how long to keep them, and a folder system that survives an audit.

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Planning

Estimated Taxes on Crypto Gains: Who Has to Pay Quarterly and How to Avoid the Penalty

A big crypto gain mid-year can mean an underpayment penalty in April even if you pay in full. Who must make estimated payments, the safe harbors, the four deadl

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Deadline

October 15, 2026 Crypto Tax Deadline: A Last-Minute Filing Guide

Filed an extension? Oct 15 is the final deadline for your 2025 crypto return — including the first year of Form 1099-DA.

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Avoid mistakes

7 Common Crypto Tax Mistakes

Missed crypto-to-crypto trades, wrong holding periods, lost records — and how to avoid each one.

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Basics

What Happens If You Don't Report Crypto to the IRS

Penalties, time limits, and how to fix past years — honestly explained.

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NFTs, airdrops, transfers, and special cases

Asset- and situation-specific guides: NFTs, airdrops and forks, wallet-to-wallet transfers, gifts and donations, and the latest IRS notices.

Digital assets

How Are NFTs Taxed? A Plain-English Guide for Buyers, Sellers and Creators

Buying an NFT with crypto is itself taxable, selling is a capital gain or loss, collectible NFTs can face a 28 percent ceiling, and creator royalties are ordinary income. The rules at each step, with worked examples.

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Income

Crypto Airdrops and Hard Forks: When Free Coins Are Taxable Income

Free coins are ordinary income when you gain dominion and control under Revenue Ruling 2019-24 — not on the fork date. Hard vs soft forks, promotional airdrops, basis, and the second tax event on sale.

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Basics

Is Transferring Crypto Between Your Own Wallets Taxable? 5 Myths That Create IRS Trouble

Transferring crypto between wallets you own is not taxable under IRS FAQ A38 — but the gas fee, the per-wallet basis record, and a blank basis box on Form 1099-DA can still create trouble. Five myths busted, with worked examples.

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Planning

Giving Crypto Away: Tax Rules for Gifts to Family and Donations to Charity

Gifting crypto to a person is usually not taxable to either side; donating appreciated crypto to charity can be deductible at full value. The rules, the forms a

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2026 rules

IRS Notice 2026-62: The Crypto ETF Tax Crackdown

What the Sept 28 in-kind redemption crackdown means for fund investors, and what to watch before Oct 28 comments close.

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New guidance

IRS Revenue Procedure 2026-20: Crypto Trust Staking Safe Harbor

Issued Oct 6, 2026: qualifying crypto investment trusts can stake proof-of-stake assets without losing trust tax status — the conditions, the 60-day reward rule, and the six-month transition.

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