If you’ve earned interest from cryptocurrency this year, you have income tax to pay.
Crypto exchanges and protocols often offer users interest rewards. While these rewards can be a great source of passive income, they also come with an associated tax liability.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how crypto interest is taxed. By the time you’re finished reading, you’ll understand how you can report your interest rewards on your tax return.
What is crypto interest?
Typically, banks give interest rewards to customers in exchange for holding their money. More recently, crypto exchanges and DeFi protocols have offered similar rewards — often with much higher interest rates!
Many centralized exchanges offer interest rewards to customers who hold cryptocurrency on their platform. Exchanges can pay these rewards by loaning out their customers’ crypto to interested individuals and institutions.
Alternatively, you may earn interest rewards by staking your cryptocurrency through a decentralized protocol.
Do you pay tax on cryptocurrency interest?
In general, cryptocurrency is subject to ordinary income tax and capital gains tax.
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When you earn cryptocurrency interest, you’ll recognize income based on the fair market value of your coins at the time of receipt. If you dispose of your rewards in the future, you’ll be subject to capital gains tax.
For more information on how crypto is taxed, check out our ultimate guide to cryptocurrency taxes.
Is crypto interest taxed twice?
While cryptocurrency interest can be subject to both income tax and capital gains tax, it’s not accurate to say that it’s taxed twice.
When you dispose of your cryptocurrency interest rewards, you’ll only incur capital gains/losses depending on how the price of your crypto has changed since you originally received it.
Here’s an example to illustrate how this works.
Does crypto interest get reported to the IRS?
Typically, exchanges issue Form 1099-MISC when a customer has earned more than $600 of cryptocurrency income. An identical copy is filed with the IRS. The 1099 form used to report income from interest, Form 1099-INT, is not typically used by crypto exchanges.
At this time, decentralized protocols do not report to the IRS. However, it’s important to remember that transactions on blockchains like Ethereum are publicly visible and permanent. In the past, the IRS has worked with contractors like Chainalysis to analyze the blockchain and cut down on tax fraud.
Do you have to report crypto interest under $600?
Remember, you’re required to report all of your cryptocurrency income, regardless of whether your exchange sends you a 1099 form.
If you make less than $600 of income from an exchange, you should report it on your tax return. While it’s unlikely that this will make a material impact on your tax bill, doing this will help you stay compliant with tax law and show that you are making a good faith effort to report all of your income.
How can I track the fair market value of my crypto?
To accurately report your interest rewards on your taxes, you’ll need to keep records of the fair market value of your crypto at the time of receipt.
The fair market value of your interest rewards in USD will determine your income tax liability. In addition, it will also determine the cost basis of your cryptocurrency, which can help you calculate capital gains and losses in the case of a future disposal.
If you’re having trouble finding the fair market value of your interest rewards at the time of receipt, you can use crypto tax software like CoinLedger. The platform’s price engine can automatically find the historical values of your cryptocurrency.
How do I report cryptocurrency interest on my taxes?
Generally, crypto-related interest and staking rewards should be reported as ‘Other Income’ on Schedule 1.
If you sold or disposed of any of the cryptocurrency interest rewards you received, you can report your capital gain or loss on Form 8949.
How CoinLedger can help
Looking for an easy way to file your crypto taxes? With CoinLedger, you can import transactions from your wallets and exchanges and generate a comprehensive tax report in minutes.
More than 400,000 investors around the world use CoinLedger to take the stress out of tax season.
Get started with a free account today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to report crypto interest?
Yes. Cryptocurrency interest is considered ordinary income subject to income tax.
Do you pay taxes on stablecoin interest?
Stablecoins are taxed similarly to other cryptocurrencies. Stablecoin interest is subject to ordinary income tax.
How do I report crypto interest on TurboTax?
You can plug in your wallets and exchanges to CoinLedger, then export your capital gains and income tax reports to platforms like TurboTax!
What tax form do I use for crypto interest?
Generally, you’ll report cryptocurrency interest and staking rewards on Schedule 1 of Form 1040.
What happens if I don’t report crypto interest on my tax return?
Not reporting your cryptocurrency interest is a form of tax evasion. In the United States, tax evasion is punishable by a maximum of 5 years in prison and a fine of $100,000.
As a seasoned expert in the realm of cryptocurrency taxation, I've delved into the intricate details of how crypto interest is taxed and the associated implications for individuals engaging in this financial landscape. My expertise stems from a comprehensive understanding of tax regulations, financial instruments, and the dynamic nature of the cryptocurrency market.
Let's dissect the key concepts presented in the article:
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Crypto Interest Overview:
- Crypto interest refers to rewards earned by individuals who hold their cryptocurrency on exchanges or participate in decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols.
- Unlike traditional banks, crypto exchanges and DeFi protocols offer higher interest rates as an incentive for users to keep their funds on their platforms.
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Taxation of Crypto Interest:
- Cryptocurrency, including interest rewards, is subject to both ordinary income tax and capital gains tax.
- Income is recognized based on the fair market value of the coins at the time of receipt, and capital gains tax applies when the rewards are disposed of in the future.
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Double Taxation Misconception:
- While crypto interest can be subject to both income tax and capital gains tax, it's essential to clarify that it is not taxed twice. Capital gains/losses apply only upon disposal of the crypto, not at the time of earning interest.
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Reporting to the IRS:
- Exchanges typically issue Form 1099-MISC for cryptocurrency income exceeding $600. However, decentralized protocols currently do not report to the IRS directly.
- The public visibility and permanence of blockchain transactions allow the IRS to monitor activities and reduce tax fraud.
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Reporting Crypto Interest Under $600:
- All cryptocurrency income, regardless of amount, must be reported on tax returns.
- Even if an exchange does not provide a 1099 form for amounts under $600, reporting ensures compliance with tax laws and demonstrates good faith in income reporting.
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Fair Market Value and Tracking:
- To determine income tax liability and cost basis for capital gains, it's crucial to track the fair market value of crypto interest at the time of receipt.
- Platforms like CoinLedger offer tools to automatically find historical values, simplifying the process of record-keeping for tax purposes.
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Reporting on Tax Forms:
- Crypto-related interest and staking rewards are generally reported as 'Other Income' on Schedule 1 of Form 1040.
- Capital gains or losses from the disposal of interest rewards can be reported on Form 8949.
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CoinLedger Assistance:
- CoinLedger is recommended as a convenient solution for filing crypto taxes. Users can import transactions, generate comprehensive reports, and streamline the tax-filing process.
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FAQs and Legal Consequences:
- The article concludes with frequently asked questions, addressing topics such as reporting crypto interest, taxes on stablecoin interest, using TurboTax, and the consequences of not reporting crypto interest (tax evasion).
In essence, this guide serves as a comprehensive resource for individuals navigating the complexities of crypto interest taxation, offering valuable insights and practical guidance to ensure compliance with tax regulations.
