Crypto Taxes: 4 Things Beginners Must Track
Technology · Digital Finance

Crypto Taxes: 4 Things Beginners Must Track

By Editorial Team · August 12, 2026 · 2 min read

HOOK

Did you know you can owe taxes on crypto even if you never cashed out to dollars? [b-roll: phone screen showing a crypto app and a calendar]

If you bought, sold, swapped, or earned crypto, the IRS may want a record of it. The good news: you do not need to be a tax expert to stay organized.

KEY POINT 1

First, track every purchase. Save the date, amount, coin, price, and fees. [b-roll: spreadsheet with columns for date, crypto, cost, fees]

That cost basis is what helps determine whether you made a gain or a loss later.

KEY POINT 2

Second, log every sale and swap. Selling Bitcoin for cash is taxable, but swapping Ethereum for another coin can be taxable too. [b-roll: animation of one coin converting into another]

Even small trades can matter, so keep the transaction history.

KEY POINT 3

Third, save income records. If you got crypto from staking, mining, airdrops, or payment for work, that may count as taxable income. [b-roll: notification of crypto rewards and a wallet deposit]

Write down the fair market value on the day you received it.

KEY POINT 4

Finally, download your exchange statements and wallet activity before platforms change access or delete old records. [b-roll: cursor clicking “download CSV”]

Having your own files makes tax time a lot easier if a form is missing.

CTA

If you own crypto, start a simple tracker today. The IRS does not reward guesswork, and clean records can save you stress later. [b-roll: checklist being checked off on a phone]

Want a beginner-friendly crypto tax checklist? Tap to learn more.

Free Tools & Calculators

Savings Growth Calculator

Project what regular deposits could grow to with compound interest.

Future balance
$45,666
You put in
$37,000
Interest earned
$8,666

Estimates only, for general information — not financial or medical advice.

Questions & Answers

Cryptocurrency is digital money secured by cryptography and recorded on a shared public ledger called a blockchain, rather than issued by a bank or government. Bitcoin was the first; thousands now exist with different purposes. It can be sent globally without a middleman, but its value can swing sharply.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions.

Related Reading