If you own cryptocurrency, you will have to pay taxes on its profits in the US. You will be taxed on your short-term capital gains at a rate of 37% and between 0% and 20% for long-term gains. This is because cryptocurrency is not considered currency and is taxed accordingly. If you’re wondering what the tax implications of owning crypto are, read this article. We’ll discuss the capital gains tax and the Cost basis accounting method.

Capital gains tax

If you’re in the market for cryptocurrencies but are unsure whether you’ll have to pay capital gains tax on the profits, consider HODLing (holding onto a project for a long time). This strategy helps you to remove taxable events and delay your tax liability. Additionally, you can use allowances to reduce your tax burden. Everyone has a personal allowance and capital gains allowance each year. Another way to reduce your tax bill is to donate crypto to charity, as this is completely tax-free.

To claim a capital gain, you must file a Form 8949, which details your crypto purchases in the past year. Make sure to include the price of the coins you purchased in the original fiat currency, whether you sold them at a profit or a loss, and when you sold them. The total gains and losses should be reported on Form 1040. It is important to keep your records up to date. The amount of taxation you have to pay depends on the value of your crypto holdings.

Thankfully, there is a simple way to avoid capital gains tax on cryptocurrencies. If you’re planning to sell your tokens for cash, consider opening a crypto savings account. This way, you’ll avoid paying capital gains tax while earning interest on your investments. While Celsius offers a similar service, it is not open to UK residents. Aqru and Celsius offer the highest crypto interest accounts, paying up to 7% interest on digital currencies and 12% for stablecoins.

Cost basis accounting method

If you own a large amount of crypto, you may want to consider using the cost basis accounting method to determine your tax liability. While you could do it manually, it can be very time-consuming. In addition, the FIFO method is default for some providers. You can choose a different method, such as Spec ID, which will give you the most accurate reporting of your crypto capital gains and losses. In addition, it will stand up better under scrutiny from tax authorities.

If you sell cryptos through taxable means, such as an exchange, you must figure out your capital gains and losses. The cost basis is the price you paid for the cryptocurrency when you purchased it. The higher the cost basis, the lower the tax owed. If you decide to use the cost basis accounting method, be sure to maintain meticulous records of all transactions you make with your crypto. By keeping track of your transactions and costs, you can accurately calculate your tax liability.

If you are a crypto investor, you must learn how to calculate your cost basis method. There are many methods available, but the most commonly used ones are the FIFO and ACB. You should contact the IRS for more information on calculating your crypto taxes. For example, in the UK, HMRC has specific rules that apply to the FIFO and ACB cost basis methods. Using ZenLedger will simplify the process for you.

Duration of holding an asset

If you’re a new investor or already own some cryptocurrency, you may be wondering how much taxes you’ll have to pay. While some activities are relatively simple to account for, some digital currency activities can be more complicated. The IRS has been paying close attention to the growth of crypto, and it believes many taxpayers are underreporting these activities. To avoid potential tax penalties, it’s important to know what activities to report to the IRS when you buy, sell, or exchange crypto.

While cryptocurrencies are considered property, their tax treatment varies. If you own crypto for less than a year, you’ll pay short-term capital gains taxes. In contrast, long-term capital gains taxes are a fraction of the federal rate. Consequently, you’ll pay much lower taxes if you hold your cryptocurrency for more than a year. The IRS recently announced a 2021 extension for taxing crypto profits.

The IRS defines the holding period as the day you buy cryptocurrency. It’s important to know that the holding period is not the same for all investors. If you’re selling a crypto, you’ll need to figure out capital gains and losses. You can use the gains or losses to offset other investments. In some cases, you can sell the crypto for cash, but the tax rate will be higher. In either case, you should report your digital currency income at the fair market value on the day of receipt.