Understanding the tax rules for crypto trading is crucial if you want to avoid any potential penalties from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Properly reporting your crypto trades can help you reduce your tax liabilities and avoid any unwanted surprises during tax season.
In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about crypto futures and options trading, how they are taxed in the USA, and answer some of the most frequently asked questions.
What Is Crypto Futures And Options Trading?
Crypto futures trading involves a predetermined contract that allows the trader to buy or sell a crypto asset at a predetermined price, anytime during the lifetime of the contract.
Crypto options trading is a predetermined trade between a buyer and a seller that obligates a buyer to buy a specific amount of cryptocurrency (and the seller to deliver it) at a predetermined price and future date. The right to buy the asset is called the 'call' option, and the right to sell is called the 'put' option.
Tax Implications Of Crypto Options Trading
In the USA, the tax treatment of crypto options trading is similar to that of stock options trading. You are subject to crypto tax when you:
Exercise the options contract to buy or sell crypto
Sell the options
The options contract expires.
If you are a buyer, here are a few taxable events to consider:
If you hold an options contract and it expires, the cost basis is considered zero, and you can deduct the premium you paid during the purchase of the contract as a capital loss.
If you exercise the options contract, the difference between the strike price (the predetermined price at which you buy or sell) and the fair market value of the cryptocurrency at the time of trade is considered a capital gain or loss.
If you sell the options before expiration, the difference between the sale price and the cost basis (i.e., the price at which you bought the options) is considered a capital gain or loss.
If you hold the cryptocurrency for more than one year, any profit from exercising the options or selling the contract is considered long-term capital gains, and the tax rate is 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your taxable income.
In case you hold the crypto for less than 12 months, the gains are considered short-term capital gains, and the tax rate is the same as your ordinary income.
Wash Sale Rules
Wash sale rule means that if you realize a loss on some of your assets, you can not implement your “call” option to buy back the same assets (for both the same or different options) within 30 days.
If you do so, the losses from the sale, along with the call premium will be added to the cost basis of the assets bought. In case you buy the same asset under different options, the loss is added to the premium of the call.
While this is applicable for other investments like stocks, crypto is currently exempted from this rule.
Tax Implications Of Crypto Futures Trading
Similar to options trading, any profit or loss made from crypto futures trading are treated as capital gains or losses which are subject to taxes. It is only when you close the contract that you incur a capital gains tax or realize a capital loss.
As per IRS, if the futures contract under Section 1256 produces a capital gain or loss, and the gains or losses open at the end of the year or terminated during the year, it is subject to a 60% long-term and 40% short-term tax rate, regardless of how long the contract was held. No wash-sale rule is applicable in this case.
This means if you report $10000 capital gains in futures trading with a total taxable income of $3,00,000 — $6000 of your profit will be subject to a 15% long-term capital gains tax rate and $4000 will fall under short-term capital gains tax.
You are allowed to carry back your losses for up to three years, with the losses carried back for the earliest year first and then the remaining carried to the next years. This is applied under the condition that the losses carried back should not exceed the net gains of that specific year.
How Can Kryptos Help With Crypto F&O Trading Taxes?
Whether you are trading in futures or options, Kryptos can help calculate all your tax liabilities in a matter of minutes. You do not have to manually keep track of your trading history or figure out the applicable tax rates.
Simply import your transactions in the Kryptos app and the platform automatically:
Tracks your transactions and the crypto’s fair market value during the time of the transaction in your currency
Figures our taxable transactions and calculates all the applicable crypto taxes
Finds out any tax-saving opportunities and apply it automatically
Future trading is subject to a 60% long-term tax and 40% short-term tax on any capital gains made, regardless of how long the contract was held. The long-term capital gains rate is 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your income bracket and the short-term capital gains rate is the same as your ordinary income tax.
2. Is trading in futures and options taxable?
Yes, crypto trading in futures and options is subject to tax in the United States. As with other investments, the gains and losses from trading crypto futures and options must be reported on your income tax return.
3. How do you tax income from futures and options?
The IRS treats cryptocurrencies as property for tax purposes, so the general rules for futures and options taxations apply to crypto as well. Future trading is subject to a 60% long-term tax and 40% short-term tax on any capital gains made, regardless of how long the contract was held.
For options trading, if you hold the cryptocurrency for more than one year, any profit from exercising the options or selling the contract is considered long-term capital gains. In case you hold the crypto for less than 12 months, the gains are considered short-term capital gains.
The long-term capital gains rate is 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your income bracket and the short-term capital gains rate is the same as your ordinary income tax.
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
Tax Rules For Crypto Futures And Options Trading
By
Brihasi Dey
On
Understanding the tax rules for crypto trading is crucial if you want to avoid any potential penalties from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Properly reporting your crypto trades can help you reduce your tax liabilities and avoid any unwanted surprises during tax season.
In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about crypto futures and options trading, how they are taxed in the USA, and answer some of the most frequently asked questions.
What Is Crypto Futures And Options Trading?
Crypto futures trading involves a predetermined contract that allows the trader to buy or sell a crypto asset at a predetermined price, anytime during the lifetime of the contract.
Crypto options trading is a predetermined trade between a buyer and a seller that obligates a buyer to buy a specific amount of cryptocurrency (and the seller to deliver it) at a predetermined price and future date. The right to buy the asset is called the 'call' option, and the right to sell is called the 'put' option.
Tax Implications Of Crypto Options Trading
In the USA, the tax treatment of crypto options trading is similar to that of stock options trading. You are subject to crypto tax when you:
Exercise the options contract to buy or sell crypto
Sell the options
The options contract expires.
If you are a buyer, here are a few taxable events to consider:
If you hold an options contract and it expires, the cost basis is considered zero, and you can deduct the premium you paid during the purchase of the contract as a capital loss.
If you exercise the options contract, the difference between the strike price (the predetermined price at which you buy or sell) and the fair market value of the cryptocurrency at the time of trade is considered a capital gain or loss.
If you sell the options before expiration, the difference between the sale price and the cost basis (i.e., the price at which you bought the options) is considered a capital gain or loss.
If you hold the cryptocurrency for more than one year, any profit from exercising the options or selling the contract is considered long-term capital gains, and the tax rate is 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your taxable income.
In case you hold the crypto for less than 12 months, the gains are considered short-term capital gains, and the tax rate is the same as your ordinary income.
Wash Sale Rules
Wash sale rule means that if you realize a loss on some of your assets, you can not implement your “call” option to buy back the same assets (for both the same or different options) within 30 days.
If you do so, the losses from the sale, along with the call premium will be added to the cost basis of the assets bought. In case you buy the same asset under different options, the loss is added to the premium of the call.
While this is applicable for other investments like stocks, crypto is currently exempted from this rule.
Tax Implications Of Crypto Futures Trading
Similar to options trading, any profit or loss made from crypto futures trading are treated as capital gains or losses which are subject to taxes. It is only when you close the contract that you incur a capital gains tax or realize a capital loss.
As per IRS, if the futures contract under Section 1256 produces a capital gain or loss, and the gains or losses open at the end of the year or terminated during the year, it is subject to a 60% long-term and 40% short-term tax rate, regardless of how long the contract was held. No wash-sale rule is applicable in this case.
This means if you report $10000 capital gains in futures trading with a total taxable income of $3,00,000 — $6000 of your profit will be subject to a 15% long-term capital gains tax rate and $4000 will fall under short-term capital gains tax.
You are allowed to carry back your losses for up to three years, with the losses carried back for the earliest year first and then the remaining carried to the next years. This is applied under the condition that the losses carried back should not exceed the net gains of that specific year.
How Can Kryptos Help With Crypto F&O Trading Taxes?
Whether you are trading in futures or options, Kryptos can help calculate all your tax liabilities in a matter of minutes. You do not have to manually keep track of your trading history or figure out the applicable tax rates.
Simply import your transactions in the Kryptos app and the platform automatically:
Tracks your transactions and the crypto’s fair market value during the time of the transaction in your currency
Figures our taxable transactions and calculates all the applicable crypto taxes
Finds out any tax-saving opportunities and apply it automatically
Future trading is subject to a 60% long-term tax and 40% short-term tax on any capital gains made, regardless of how long the contract was held. The long-term capital gains rate is 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your income bracket and the short-term capital gains rate is the same as your ordinary income tax.
2. Is trading in futures and options taxable?
Yes, crypto trading in futures and options is subject to tax in the United States. As with other investments, the gains and losses from trading crypto futures and options must be reported on your income tax return.
3. How do you tax income from futures and options?
The IRS treats cryptocurrencies as property for tax purposes, so the general rules for futures and options taxations apply to crypto as well. Future trading is subject to a 60% long-term tax and 40% short-term tax on any capital gains made, regardless of how long the contract was held.
For options trading, if you hold the cryptocurrency for more than one year, any profit from exercising the options or selling the contract is considered long-term capital gains. In case you hold the crypto for less than 12 months, the gains are considered short-term capital gains.
The long-term capital gains rate is 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your income bracket and the short-term capital gains rate is the same as your ordinary income tax.
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.