Coindesk Logo

Coinbase Releases Cryptocurrency Tax Calculator

Coinbase Releases Cryptocurrency Tax Calculator

Coinbase Releases Cryptocurrency Tax Calculator

The U.S cryptocurrency exchange is easing the crypto tax procedure with a new automatic gain/loss calculator.

The U.S cryptocurrency exchange is easing the crypto tax procedure with a new automatic gain/loss calculator.

The U.S cryptocurrency exchange is easing the crypto tax procedure with a new automatic gain/loss calculator.

AccessTimeIconMar 13, 2018, 4:30 AM
Updated Aug 18, 2021, 8:28 PM

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

Cryptocurrency startup Coinbase has launched a new gain/loss calculating tool as part of an effort to help its user base keep up with U.S. tax requirements.

In a blog post published on Tuesday, the firm explained that the calculator can be used to generate a report which outlines their capital gains (or losses) on its platform, using a first-in-first-out (FIFO) accounting method.

The tool comes with a few caveats, however, namely that it's primarily aimed at users who have bought and sold on Coinbase exclusively – and isn't recommended for those who have purchased digital assets elsewhere or participated in an initial coin offering, per the blog.

"This tool provides a preliminary gain/loss calculation to assist our customers, but should not be used as official tax documentation without validating the results with your tax professional," the startup also cautioned.

Its release follows an earlier step by Coinbase on the tax front, when, in January, the startup reminded its users that they are liable for U.S. capital gains, even going as far as posting a consistent banner about the issue.

The issue of taxation and cryptocurrencies has always been someone of a contentious topic, ever since the U.S. Internal Revenue Service announced in 2014 that it would treat such assets as a taxable form of property rather than, say, a currency.

Concerns over the ambiguity of the IRS guidance – in its new blog, Coinbase itself writes that "we understand taxes for digital currency can be complicated" – have fueled complaints from professional circles.

The topic also carries an added degree of weight for Coinbase specifically, which was the target of a lawsuit by the IRS as it sought information on U.S.-based users in an effort to sniff out potential tax avoiders.

Ultimately, the startup would send information on about 13,000 users who had transacted on the platform between 2013 and 2015 after being ordered to by a U.S. district judge in November 2017.

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information have been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of the Bullish group, which owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish group equity-based compensation. Bullish was incubated by technology investor Block.one.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.