1099 - DA: What's New in Crypto Taxes

1099 - DA: What's New in Crypto Taxes

Discover how Form 1099-DA affects crypto taxes, including key features, tips, examples, and IRS resources. Get expert tax assistance from Vincere Tax to ensure compliance and accuracy in reporting your digital assets.

1099 - DA: What's New in Crypto Taxes

Understanding the Impact of Form 1099-DA on Digital Asset Reporting

Cryptocurrencies, NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), and other digital assets have become significant players in the financial landscape. As the use of these assets continues to grow, so does the need for clearer tax reporting and compliance. To address this, the IRS has introduced the Form 1099-DA, a critical step in organizing and regulating the taxation of digital assets. In this blog, we’ll dive into the specifics of this new form, its impact on taxpayers, and everything you need to know about navigating crypto taxes effectively.

What is Form 1099-DA?

Form 1099-DA, Digital Asset Proceeds from Broker Transactions, is a new tax form that brokers will use to report sales and exchanges of digital assets on behalf of their clients. This form aims to simplify the reporting process for cryptocurrency and other digital asset transactions, providing clarity for taxpayers and helping the IRS ensure compliance.

While the form isn’t mandatory until 2025, the IRS has already released a draft version, giving the public the opportunity to comment before its final implementation. The main objective of Form 1099-DA is to reduce ambiguity around crypto taxes and help taxpayers accurately report their taxable events.

Key Features of Form 1099-DA

The form will include detailed information about each transaction, including:

  • Digital Token Identification Code: A unique identifier for the digital asset involved.
  • Units Transacted: The number of units of the asset sold, exchanged, or disposed of.
  • Acquisition Date: When the asset was originally acquired.
  • Disposition Date: When the asset was sold or exchanged.
  • Proceeds: The gross proceeds from the transaction.
  • Cost Basis: Starting in 2026, brokers will be required to include cost basis information, which helps calculate capital gains or losses.

These components will help ensure that taxpayers can correctly report their gains, losses, and other taxable events related to digital assets.

Implementation Timeline

  • January 1, 2025: Brokers must begin reporting gross proceeds from digital asset transactions on Form 1099-DA.
  • January 1, 2026: Brokers must also report the cost basis of digital assets.

This phased implementation gives taxpayers and brokers time to adjust and comply with the new reporting requirements.

How Will This Impact Taxpayers?

The introduction of Form 1099-DA will have several important implications for individuals involved in cryptocurrency transactions:

1. Improved Accuracy and Transparency: The detailed information provided by brokers will make it easier to accurately report your crypto-related income and capital gains, reducing the risk of mistakes on your tax return.

2. Easier Tax Reporting: You’ll no longer need to track every detail of your transactions manually. Form 1099-DA will provide an official record that can be used to fill out your tax forms correctly.

3. Better Record-Keeping: While the form will provide some of the necessary data, it’s important to maintain your own records. Keep track of wallet addresses, transaction histories, and other related details.

4. Tax Planning: The ability to track the cost basis and sale price of your assets will allow you to engage in better tax planning, such as timing your sales for tax efficiency.

5. Compliance: With Form 1099-DA, you’ll have a clearer understanding of your tax obligations, reducing the risk of audits or penalties for underreporting your crypto transactions.

Broker Responsibilities Under Form 1099-DA

Brokers facilitating digital asset transactions will play a key role in the new reporting process. Their responsibilities include:

  • Accurate Reporting: Brokers must ensure they report detailed information about digital asset transactions, including gross proceeds and, starting in 2026, cost basis information.

  • Timely Submission: Brokers are required to submit the form to both the IRS and the taxpayer by the prescribed deadlines.

  • System Upgrades: Brokers will need to update their systems to capture and report all necessary data accurately.

Examples of How Crypto Taxes Work: 

Selling Cryptocurrency for Profit

You purchase 1 Bitcoin for $30,000 and later sell it for $40,000. Your capital gain is $10,000 ($40,000 sale price - $30,000 purchase price). If you held the Bitcoin for more than a year, you would be subject to long-term capital gains tax rates.

Staking Rewards

You stake 10 Ethereum tokens and receive 2 additional tokens as staking rewards. These 2 tokens are taxable at the time they are received. If the value of the tokens is $2,000, you must report that as income.

Tips for Taxpayers Navigating Crypto Taxes

1) Track Your Transactions: Keep a detailed record of all your digital asset transactions, including the date, price, platform, and wallet addresses. This will help ensure that your Form 1099-DA aligns with your tax filings.

2) Understand Your Holding Period: Crypto assets are taxed based on whether they are held for short-term (less than a year) or long-term (more than a year). The tax rates vary, so calculating your holding period correctly is important.

3) Report Staking Rewards and Airdrops: If you receive staking rewards or airdropped tokens, these are considered taxable income at the time you receive them. Make sure to include them in your tax reporting.

4) Use Crypto Tax Software: Consider using specialized software to calculate your crypto gains and losses. Many platforms can connect with your exchanges and wallets to help automate the process.

5) Consult a Tax Professional: Crypto tax laws are complicated, and staying up-to-date on IRS regulations is important. Consult with a tax professional to ensure compliance and reduce the risk of errors.

IRS Resources for Digital Asset Taxes

To help taxpayers navigate the complexities of digital asset taxation, the IRS has provided several resources:

  • IRS Digital Assets FAQ: This section of the IRS website provides answers to common questions about the taxation of virtual currencies and other digital assets. Visit the IRS Digital Asset FAQ

  • Publication 544 – Sales and Other Dispositions of Assets: This publication outlines how to report the sale of assets, including digital assets, and calculate capital gains or losses. Learn more in IRS Publication 544

  • IRS Form 8949 – Sales and Other Dispositions of Capital Assets: This form is used to report the sale of digital assets, and any Form 1099-DA information will need to be entered here. Access IRS Form 8949

  • IRS Form 1040 – U.S. Individual Income Tax Return: This is the main form for reporting all of your income and taxes, including your crypto-related gains and losses. Download IRS Form 1040

Reach Out to Vincere Tax for Expert Crypto Tax Assistance

Navigating the complexities of crypto taxes can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Vincere Tax, we specialize in digital asset taxation and can help ensure your transactions are reported accurately. Whether you’re an experienced crypto investor or just starting, our team of experts is here to guide you through the process.

I hope this information was helpful! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us here. I’d be happy to chat with you. 

Vincere Tax can help you with the tax implications of business taxes, stocks, bonds, ETFs, cryptocurrency, rental property income, and other investments. 

Being audited is comparable to being struck by lightning. You don't want to practice pole vaulting in a thunderstorm just because it's unlikely. Making sure your books are accurate and your taxes are filed on time is one of the best ways to keep your head down during tax season. Check out Vincere's take on tax season!

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This post is just for informational purposes and is not meant to be legal, business, or tax advice. Regarding the matters discussed in this post, each individual should consult his or her own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor. Vincere accepts no responsibility for actions taken in reliance on the information contained in this document.

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