Everything you need to know about crypto taxes in Europe and the USA. Simple, clear, and practical.

Crypto tax guide

What you need to declare

You must report sales (capital gains/losses), staking rewards, airdrops, and farming income based on their fair market value at the time of receipt.

Trading (Buy/Sell)

Every time you sell crypto, you need to calculate and declare the capital gain or loss. This includes trading between different cryptocurrencies.

Staking Rewards

Staking rewards are considered passive income and must be declared at their market value when received.

Airdrops

Free tokens received through airdrops are treated as income and must be declared at their market value when received.

Farming/Yield

Rewards from liquidity provision or yield farming are considered passive income and must be declared.

How to declare

Use FIFO (or specific identification in the USA) to calculate gains, track all transactions, and report them in your tax filings.

FIFO method

First In, First Out - The oldest coins you bought are considered the first ones you sell. This is the standard method in most European countries.

Specific identification

Allowed in the USA - You can choose which specific coins you're selling to optimize your tax position.

Record keeping

Keep detailed records of all transactions, including dates, amounts, prices, and fees. Carterix does this automatically for you.

Regional rules

In Europe (e.g., Spain, Germany), FIFO is common. In the USA, the IRS allows flexibility but requires detailed records.

Spain

Declare in Form 100 (Modelo 100) - Box 122 for capital gains, Box 123 for passive income.

Crypto is treated as capital gains. Tax rates: 19% (up to 6,000€), 21% (6,000€-50,000€), 23% (50,000€-200,000€), 27% (>200,000€). Passive income (staking, farming) is taxed at the same rates.

United States

Report on Form 8949 and Schedule D. Passive income on Schedule 1.

Crypto is treated as property. Capital gains tax rates depend on holding period: short-term (≤1 year) at ordinary income rates, long-term (>1 year) at preferential rates.

France

Declare on Form 2086 for capital gains, Form 2042 for income.

Flat tax rate of 30% (12.8% income tax + 17.2% social contributions) for capital gains. DeFi income is taxed at progressive rates.

Germany

Report on Form Anlage SO for capital gains, Form Anlage N for income.

Tax-free if held for more than 1 year. Otherwise, taxed as capital gains at progressive rates. Mining and staking rewards are taxed as income.

Pro tips

Make your crypto tax life easier with these expert tips

Track all transactions in real-time - don't wait until tax season

Keep track of losses - they can offset gains in most countries

Save all transaction records and screenshots

Use tools like Carterix to automate calculations and reporting

Consider consulting a tax professional for complex situations

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I offset losses against gains?

Yes, in most countries you can offset crypto losses against gains. In Spain, losses can be carried forward for up to 4 years.

How are mining rewards taxed?

Mining rewards are typically treated as income and taxed at the time of receipt based on market value.

What about crypto gifts?

Gifts are usually not taxable for the recipient, but the giver might need to report capital gains if they're giving appreciated crypto.

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