What documents do I need to file crypto taxes?

Full-year transaction exports from every exchange and wallet, all 1099-DA / 1099-B / 1099-MISC forms, cost basis for each acquisition, internal transfer records, income event records for staking and airdrops, and any prior-year capital loss carryforward.

What if an exchange shut down and I cannot export my history?

Rebuild from bank and card statements, email confirmations, and on-chain records for the wallets you controlled. Documented reconstruction is accepted far more often than a blank or zero-basis entry.

Do I need records for transfers between my own wallets?

Yes. They are not taxable, but without the records an exchange report can make an outgoing transfer look like a sale, which inflates your reported proceeds.

How long should I keep crypto records?

At least three years after filing, and longer for lots you still hold — you need the original acquisition record in the year you finally dispose of them.

Crypto Tax Reporting Checklist (2026)

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Accounts & platforms

List every place your crypto has ever lived, including ones you no longer use.

Full-year CSV export from every centralized exchangeCoinbase, Kraken, Binance.US, Gemini, and any exchange you closed mid-year.
Public addresses for every self-custody walletOne per chain — needed to reconstruct on-chain activity.
DeFi, bridge, and NFT marketplace activitySwaps, LP positions, lending, bridging, mints, and sales.
Statements from closed, hacked, or bankrupt platforms

Tax forms received

Anything a platform filed with the IRS has to match your return.

Form 1099-DA from custodial brokers
Form 1099-B or consolidated broker statements
Form 1099-MISC for staking, rewards, or interest
Form 1099-K from payment processors
W-2 or 1099-NEC where you were paid in crypto

Cost basis records

Missing basis is what turns a small gain into a large one on paper.

Purchase date, amount, and USD cost for every acquisition
Documented basis method, applied per wallet or account
Internal transfer records between your own walletsPrevents transfers being counted as sales.
Trading, gas, and network fees paid
Basis and date for gifted, inherited, or airdropped coins

Income events

Taxed at fair market value on the day you gained control.

Staking, validator, and liquidity rewards with receipt dates
Mining revenue plus equipment, power, and hosting costs
Airdrops, forks, referral and quest rewards
Lending or interest income from crypto platforms

Losses & special situations

The items that most often get left off — and most often save money.

List of lots currently held at a loss
Prior-year capital loss carryforward from Schedule D
Documentation for theft, scam, or fraud lossesPolice or IC3 report, wallet trace, and all correspondence.
Foreign exchange or wallet exposure (FBAR / Form 8938 review)
Prior-year returns where crypto was omitted

Done gathering? Send it over.

Bring your completed list to a free 30-minute Consultation Call and we'll tell you what is still missing, what your return should cost, and whether any prior year needs correcting.

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Crypto Tax Reporting Checklist