arrow_back back to articles

How to Owe Less Tax on Crypto Gains


Cryptocurrency is a digital asset, so when taxes are owed, they are either ordinary income or capital gains


account_circle Author: Rate My Tax Accountant
calendar_month Published: November 4, 2023 (edited on April 8, 2024)

When Cryptocurrency is Not Taxed

  • Buying and holding - buying or investing in cryptocurrencies without exchanging or selling them
  • Transferring between wallets
  • Making payments


When Cryptocurrency is Taxed

  • Getting paid wages/salary in crypto currency (Ordinary Income)
  • Selling for a profit less than 1 year after purchase of cryptocurrency (Ordinary Income)
  • Selling for a profit 1 year or more after purchase of cryptocurrency (Capital Gain)
  • Mining or Staking (Ordinary Income)
  • Trading one Cryptocurrency for another


A general rule of thumb is, if you hold your earning for a year or more, they are subject to a lower tax rate, depending on your current bracket (Capital Gains).

Losses can be claimed to a certain limit, depending on filing status.



***Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be financial or legal advice***