How to Calculate Crypto Taxes

Calculating crypto tax comes down to one formula repeated for every disposal: proceeds minus cost basis equals gain or loss. Cost basis is what you originally paid for the coins you disposed of, including transaction fees; proceeds are what they were worth when you sold, spent, or traded them.

The tricky part is deciding which coins you sold when you bought at different times and prices. Tax systems prescribe a method — many default to FIFO (first-in, first-out), while some allow specific identification or average cost. The method changes your reported gain, so use the one your jurisdiction requires.

Gains and losses net against each other. Losses from disposals can usually offset gains, and sometimes a limited amount of other income, which is why some people deliberately realize losses ('tax-loss harvesting') before year-end. Holding period often matters too, with longer holds sometimes taxed more favorably.

Record-keeping is what makes all of this possible: the date, amount, and local-currency value of every buy, sell, trade, and receipt. Exchanges don't always track coins moved to private wallets, so the responsibility falls on you. Crypto tax software can import exchange history and compute gains automatically, saving enormous effort at filing time.

Allowed methods, loss rules, and holding-period treatment differ by country and change over time; this is educational information, not tax advice. Confirm the rules that apply to you and consider a qualified professional for complex situations.