Celsius is one of the leading exchanges in the world that filed for bankruptcy in July 2022, leaving many investors stuck. Even though the platform has paused all withdrawals, you may still need to report Celsius transactions in your tax returns.
In this article, we discuss whether you can claim your Celsius losses and break down the tax implications of these Celsius transactions.
Please note that no specific IRS guidelines are released at the moment and the information presented is subject to change.
What Does The Celsius Bankruptcy Mean For Taxes?
Celsius discontinued withdrawals and filed for bankruptcy in July 2022, preventing investors from accessing their money.
But on January 4, 2023, the US Court declared that based on Celsius’s Terms of Use, when the cryptocurrency assets were deposited in Earn Accounts, they became Celsius’s property and the remaining assets in these Accounts on the Petition Date became the property of the bankruptcy estate.
If you’re a customer with an Earn account in Celsius, you are currently considered an ‘unsecured creditor’. This means the preferred equity holders of CNL will be preferred over you for repayment if ever the Celsius funds are liquidated.
However, from the tax perspective, this means that the transfer of crypto from the unsecured creditors to Celsius whenever you deposited funds into your Earn account is a form of disposition.
This makes it almost certain that you may have realized a gain or loss whenever you transferred funds to your Earn account and it is taxable.
Your cost basis will be calculated based on the fair market value of the crypto at the time of transfer to the Earn account. This makes the calculation of the gains or losses unclear as the customer doesn’t receive anything in return at the moment of the transfer.
It’s important to note that the IRS hasn’t defined any clear guidelines on the Celsius Network taxes. Having said that, the general tax laws may likely be applicable. We recommend consulting with a tax professional to determine your Celsius taxes.
Can Losses From The Celsius Bankruptcy Be Claimed?
Generally, you have to dispose of your crypto to realize any loss on it. But since investors are not able to access their Celsius funds, it’s still unclear whether they will get back their assets or how they should report the losses due to bankruptcy.
If we consider the general crypto tax regulations in countries including:
USA: IRS doesn't allow you to claim any lost, stolen or hacked crypto as a capital loss.
UK: To declare your assets as lost, you’ll have to file for a Negligible Value Claim with the HMRC.
The case is still ongoing and it is possible that a part of the investor assets may be recovered. So, it’s still early to determine what extent of your assets should you claim as a loss.
It’s important to note that once you declare your crypto assets as “lost”, you lose the right to claim them if the access is ever gained back.
In a recent hearing held on 18 April 2023 by Judge Glenn, a request filed by Celsius’ Unsecured Creditors (UCC) to file an all-account holder “class claim” against Celsius and other debtors for claims like fraud got approved.
If you have already filed other claims before this judgement, it’s still unclear how you can revoke them and join the class claim. You can know all the latest updates on the Celsius case here.
Tax Implications On Celsius Staking Rewards
Even though there is no way to withdraw these funds, some platforms including Celsius are still paying staking rewards to their users.
In most countries, these rewards are considered ordinary income and are taxable. Typically, you would have to report these in your tax returns.
It is advisable to consult a tax professional and understand how you can treat your inaccessible staking rewards for tax purposes.
How To Report Your Crypto Taxes?
Looking for an easy way to calculate your crypto taxes? Kryptos supports major exchanges and wallets to calculate your taxes in minutes.
Connect your wallet and auto-sync using API keys (read-only) or upload CSV files
Kryptos will automatically categorize your taxable transactions, calculate your crypto taxes, and identify any tax-saving claims
Download your tax report that complies with your jurisdiction guidelines.
FAQs
1. Can I claim Celsius losses on taxes?
There are no clear guidelines on how you can claim your losses caused due to the Celsius bankruptcy, However, many professionals believe the typical crypto laws apply until there is any further notice from the IRS.
2. Can I get a tax break for crypto losses?
Even though the withdrawals are paused, you will still have to report your taxable transactions in your tax returns.
3. Will Celsius clients get their money back?
If you are an unsecured creditor, chances are you will be considered at the end once the preferred equity gets the repayment. The case is still ongoing and there are no clear guidelines for the investor funds.
4. Do I have to pay taxes on Celsius?
Yes, you will have to report your Celsius transactions in the tax returns as they are considered taxable.
All content on Kryptos serves general informational purposes only. It's not intended to replace any professional advice from licensed accountants, attorneys, or certified financial and tax professionals. The information is completed to the best of our knowledge and we at Kryptos do not claim either correctness or accuracy of the same. Before taking any tax position / stance, you should always consider seeking independent legal, financial, taxation or other advice from the professionals. Kryptos is not liable for any loss caused from the use of, or by placing reliance on, the information on this website. Kryptos disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of any positions taken by you in your tax returns. Thank you for being part of our community, and we're excited to continue guiding you on your crypto journey!
Country
Issue
Kryptos Use Case
India
Cryptocurrency transactions are taxed as capital gains, with evolving legislation creating uncertainty.
Kryptos.io streamlines the process by automatically tracking transactions and computing capital gains, adjusting to new regulations for precise reporting.
Brazil
Cryptocurrencies are subject to capital gains tax and must be reported, posing challenges with complex requirements.
Kryptos.io simplifies compliance by offering real-time transaction tracking and detailed tax calculations, making it easier to meet Brazil’s tax obligations.
Nigeria
Regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies is evolving, with uncertainty around taxation and restrictions from the Central Bank.
Kryptos.io provides an adaptable solution by maintaining detailed records and generating flexible reports, helping users stay compliant despite regulatory changes.
USA
Cryptocurrency transactions are subject to capital gains tax, with detailed IRS reporting requirements.
Kryptos.io enhances compliance by automating the tracking of transactions and generating comprehensive tax reports, facilitating adherence to IRS requirements.
UK
Cryptocurrencies are taxed under both capital gains tax and income tax, requiring careful tracking and reporting.
Kryptos.io aids UK users by monitoring both capital gains and income from crypto transactions, ensuring accurate and straightforward tax reporting.
Australia
Cryptocurrencies are subject to capital gains tax, and users must report their gains and losses to the ATO.
Kryptos.io assists Australian users by providing seamless transaction tracking and precise capital gains calculations, ensuring efficient compliance with ATO reporting requirements.
Germany
Cryptocurrencies are taxed as private assets with gains subject to tax if held for less than a year.
Kryptos.io supports German users by tracking holding periods and computing taxes on cryptocurrency transactions, ensuring adherence to German tax regulations.
Japan
Cryptocurrency gains are treated as miscellaneous income and are subject to high tax rates.
Kryptos.io helps Japanese users by offering a detailed tracking system and calculating taxes on miscellaneous income, efficiently managing high tax obligations.
Scenario
Description
Kryptos Features that can be of aid
Multiple Exchanges and Wallets
Consolidating records from various exchanges and wallets to maintain a comprehensive overview of crypto activities.
Seamless integration with numerous exchanges and wallets, automatic import, and consolidation of records.
International Transactions
Managing records for cross-border transactions, including currency conversions and compliance with international tax laws.
Support for multiple currencies, efficient management of cross-border activities, accurate currency conversion for reporting.
Complex Transactions
Handling trades, swaps, staking, lending, and other sophisticated crypto activities.
Advanced tracking, reporting, and documentation for various transaction types. Kryptos' DeFi and NFT modules offer specialized tools for managing decentralized finance and NFT activities, ensuring precise records and comprehensive oversight.
How we reviewed this article
Written by
Brihasi Dey
Social Media Manager, Content Writer, Strategist, and Marketer - An IT graduate well versed in SaaS, AI, & Web3, assisting Tech and Blockchain brands in scaling with Content.
As Web3 evolves, managing a diverse portfolio has become complex. Kryptos simplifies this with advanced tools for real-time tracking, NFT management, and DeFi analytics. Discover how Kryptos turns challenges into strategic advantages for modern investors.
Struggling with crypto tax in Australia? Kryptos.io simplifies the process, ensuring accurate and compliant filings with the ATO. Track transactions and value assets effortlessly—make tax season stress-free.
Mastering Crypto Taxation: Navigate the Complex World of Digital Assets with Kryptos, the Ultimate Solution for Accurate, Efficient, and Future-Proof Tax Reporting.
See More
Understanding Celsius Crypto Loss & Taxes: What You Need to Know
By
Brihasi Dey
On
Celsius is one of the leading exchanges in the world that filed for bankruptcy in July 2022, leaving many investors stuck. Even though the platform has paused all withdrawals, you may still need to report Celsius transactions in your tax returns.
In this article, we discuss whether you can claim your Celsius losses and break down the tax implications of these Celsius transactions.
Please note that no specific IRS guidelines are released at the moment and the information presented is subject to change.
What Does The Celsius Bankruptcy Mean For Taxes?
Celsius discontinued withdrawals and filed for bankruptcy in July 2022, preventing investors from accessing their money.
But on January 4, 2023, the US Court declared that based on Celsius’s Terms of Use, when the cryptocurrency assets were deposited in Earn Accounts, they became Celsius’s property and the remaining assets in these Accounts on the Petition Date became the property of the bankruptcy estate.
If you’re a customer with an Earn account in Celsius, you are currently considered an ‘unsecured creditor’. This means the preferred equity holders of CNL will be preferred over you for repayment if ever the Celsius funds are liquidated.
However, from the tax perspective, this means that the transfer of crypto from the unsecured creditors to Celsius whenever you deposited funds into your Earn account is a form of disposition.
This makes it almost certain that you may have realized a gain or loss whenever you transferred funds to your Earn account and it is taxable.
Your cost basis will be calculated based on the fair market value of the crypto at the time of transfer to the Earn account. This makes the calculation of the gains or losses unclear as the customer doesn’t receive anything in return at the moment of the transfer.
It’s important to note that the IRS hasn’t defined any clear guidelines on the Celsius Network taxes. Having said that, the general tax laws may likely be applicable. We recommend consulting with a tax professional to determine your Celsius taxes.
Can Losses From The Celsius Bankruptcy Be Claimed?
Generally, you have to dispose of your crypto to realize any loss on it. But since investors are not able to access their Celsius funds, it’s still unclear whether they will get back their assets or how they should report the losses due to bankruptcy.
If we consider the general crypto tax regulations in countries including:
USA: IRS doesn't allow you to claim any lost, stolen or hacked crypto as a capital loss.
UK: To declare your assets as lost, you’ll have to file for a Negligible Value Claim with the HMRC.
The case is still ongoing and it is possible that a part of the investor assets may be recovered. So, it’s still early to determine what extent of your assets should you claim as a loss.
It’s important to note that once you declare your crypto assets as “lost”, you lose the right to claim them if the access is ever gained back.
In a recent hearing held on 18 April 2023 by Judge Glenn, a request filed by Celsius’ Unsecured Creditors (UCC) to file an all-account holder “class claim” against Celsius and other debtors for claims like fraud got approved.
If you have already filed other claims before this judgement, it’s still unclear how you can revoke them and join the class claim. You can know all the latest updates on the Celsius case here.
Tax Implications On Celsius Staking Rewards
Even though there is no way to withdraw these funds, some platforms including Celsius are still paying staking rewards to their users.
In most countries, these rewards are considered ordinary income and are taxable. Typically, you would have to report these in your tax returns.
It is advisable to consult a tax professional and understand how you can treat your inaccessible staking rewards for tax purposes.
How To Report Your Crypto Taxes?
Looking for an easy way to calculate your crypto taxes? Kryptos supports major exchanges and wallets to calculate your taxes in minutes.
Connect your wallet and auto-sync using API keys (read-only) or upload CSV files
Kryptos will automatically categorize your taxable transactions, calculate your crypto taxes, and identify any tax-saving claims
Download your tax report that complies with your jurisdiction guidelines.
FAQs
1. Can I claim Celsius losses on taxes?
There are no clear guidelines on how you can claim your losses caused due to the Celsius bankruptcy, However, many professionals believe the typical crypto laws apply until there is any further notice from the IRS.
2. Can I get a tax break for crypto losses?
Even though the withdrawals are paused, you will still have to report your taxable transactions in your tax returns.
3. Will Celsius clients get their money back?
If you are an unsecured creditor, chances are you will be considered at the end once the preferred equity gets the repayment. The case is still ongoing and there are no clear guidelines for the investor funds.
4. Do I have to pay taxes on Celsius?
Yes, you will have to report your Celsius transactions in the tax returns as they are considered taxable.
All content on Kryptos serves general informational purposes only. It's not intended to replace any professional advice from licensed accountants, attorneys, or certified financial and tax professionals. The information is completed to the best of our knowledge and we at Kryptos do not claim either correctness or accuracy of the same. Before taking any tax position / stance, you should always consider seeking independent legal, financial, taxation or other advice from the professionals. Kryptos is not liable for any loss caused from the use of, or by placing reliance on, the information on this website. Kryptos disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of any positions taken by you in your tax returns. Thank you for being part of our community, and we're excited to continue guiding you on your crypto journey!
As Web3 evolves, managing a diverse portfolio has become complex. Kryptos simplifies this with advanced tools for real-time tracking, NFT management, and DeFi analytics. Discover how Kryptos turns challenges into strategic advantages for modern investors.
Struggling with crypto tax in Australia? Kryptos.io simplifies the process, ensuring accurate and compliant filings with the ATO. Track transactions and value assets effortlessly—make tax season stress-free.
Mastering Crypto Taxation: Navigate the Complex World of Digital Assets with Kryptos, the Ultimate Solution for Accurate, Efficient, and Future-Proof Tax Reporting.