Navigating Cryptocurrency Taxation: What You Need to Know

 Cryptocurrency has taken over the globe in the past decade. From Bitcoin to Ethereum and several hundred altcoins, individuals worldwide have flocked to digital currencies. What most don't know, however, is that the taxman didn't stay behind in crypto. Regardless of whether you're a weekend trader, day trader, or merchant accepting crypto payments, becoming aware of the fundamentals of crypto taxation is vital. You may even need professional accounting service Santa Monica. What follows is a concise guide to assist you in understanding it.

Is Cryptocurrency Taxable

In short: yes. Pretty much every tax body regards cryptocurrency as property, rather than money. That is, every time you sell, swap, or exchange crypto to buy something, you may be obligated to tax the gain (or can offset with a loss). Even swapping one coin for another is a tax event. Having your coins sitting around? No tax payable—until you trade or sell them.

Common Taxable Events

Some of the typical crypto activities that could call for taxation are;

· Converting cryptocurrency to cash

· One coin traded for another

· Buying goods or services with crypto

· Being paid in cryptocurrency for labor or services

All of these examples can create a taxable gain or loss, depending on what was done to the value of your crypto between when you acquired it and when you sold it or otherwise parted with it.

Monitoring is Crucial

One of the largest frustrations for crypto investors is tracking each transaction. For other investments, there may be a handful of wallets, a handful of exchanges, and some peer-to-peer transactions. Exact records are nearly necessary. You'll want to keep records of dates, amounts, fair market value at the time, and fees paid. There are a number of crypto tax software applications that can help make this easier.

What about Staking or Mining?

If you're staking cryptocurrency or receiving rewards as a staker, that's usually taxable income when you receive it. And then if you eventually sell the coins, you may have to pay capital gains tax on any increase in value because you received them. Incorporate accounting service Santa Monica for further details.

How are Losses Controlled?

The silver lining: If you did lose money investing in cryptocurrency, you can usually write off those losses to offset other capital gains (and, in some cases, ordinary income). Laws vary, so it is well worth researching your local laws or consulting an expert.

The Bottom Line

Taxation of cryptocurrency is complicated but feasible with good record-keeping and good advice. The law and reporting are evolving, so keeping current is vital. Most investors don't give crypto taxes much thought until they get a surprise letter from the taxman. Don't be one of them. Take action now so you won't have huge headaches down the road.

Final Words

If you're serious about crypto investing or operating a business in digital assets, don't treat taxes as an afterthought. Get organized, keep good records, and in question, get professional accounting service Santa Monica so you can be sure you're in good standing and not leaving money on the table.

Jarrar & Associates CPA, Inc. 9440 Santa Monica Blvd SUITE 301, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, United States, +1 310-887-1313