Winner Of The 2025 AICTP Certified Tax Coach of the Year

Learning Center
We keep you up to date on the latest tax changes and news in the industry.

Prepare for New IRS 1099-DA Crypto Reporting

The introduction of Form 1099-DA, "Digital Asset Proceeds from Broker Transactions," marks a significant shift in how digital asset transactions are reported for tax purposes. Designed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to improve transparency and compliance, this new tax form applies to brokers dealing with cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and other digital assets.

Image 1

The reporting requirements for Form 1099-DA come into effect for the 2025 tax year, with brokers required to submit these forms to taxpayers and the IRS by early 2026. Prior to this, the onus was on taxpayers to self-report these transactions, often leading to discrepancies and underreporting.

The Intent and Impact of Form 1099-DA: The primary objective of this form is to ensure accurate tax compliance and reporting. By standardizing how transactions are reported, it aims to simplify tax filing for investors, though it also necessitates meticulous record-keeping from all parties involved.

Who is Required to File Form 1099-DA? The obligation lies with "brokers" who facilitate digital asset transactions. This encompasses digital asset trading platforms, payment processors, and hosted wallet providers. It is important to note that decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms and non-custodial wallets generally do not share this requirement.

Image 3

Recipients of Form 1099-DA: U.S. taxpayers involved in the selling, trading, or disposing of digital assets through qualifying brokers should anticipate receiving this form in early 2026 for transactions conducted in 2025. This includes not only individual investors but also businesses engaged in buying, selling, mining, or staking digital assets, as well as real estate entities handling such assets.

Details Required on Form 1099-DA: Brokers must provide comprehensive information about each transaction, including:

  • Payer and recipient identification.
  • Transaction details such as asset name, quantity, date, and gross proceeds.
  • Cost basis (for "covered securities" acquired after January 1, 2026), holding period, transaction type, and fair market value (FMV).
  • Transaction fees and wash sales for tokenized securities.

The depth of information varies by tax year:

  • 2025 Tax Year: Only the gross proceeds from digital asset sales need to be reported, with cost basis reporting remaining optional.
  • 2026 and Beyond: Starting with the 2026 tax year, brokers must report more detailed information, including both gross proceeds and cost basis, among other transaction specifics.

Managing the Cost Basis Challenge for 2025: One major consideration for 2025 is that brokers are not obligated to report the cost basis. If this is omitted, the IRS may consider it zero, potentially resulting in underreported income notifications. Taxpayers must diligently track and maintain records of their digital transactions.

Image 2

Specific Reporting Rules for Stablecoins and NFTs: There are particular guidelines for reporting transactions involving certain asset types.

  • Stablecoins: Starting in 2025, stablecoin transactions exceeding $10,000 annually may be reported in aggregate.
  • Specified NFTs: If NFT sales surpass $600 for the year, these may also be reported in aggregate.

The Role of Form 1099-DA in Tax Filing: Similar to the reporting of stock transactions, information from Form 1099-DA is used to prepare tax returns, specifically feeding into Forms 8949 and Schedule D for calculating capital gains or losses.

Guidance for Crypto Investors: In light of these changes, crypto investors should keep detailed transaction records, consider using specialized tax software, and remain aware of potential reporting limitations. Unreported transactions still necessitate reporting, and consulting a tax professional can provide valuable assistance in navigating this complex landscape.

Addressing IRS Queries on Digital Assets: The IRS continues to pose the question on digital asset holdings and transactions on Form 1040, and with Form 1099-DA, the accuracy of these responses can now be cross-verified.

For assistance in preparing your tax returns and ensuring your digital asset transactions are accurately reported, please contact our office at Ember Coaching & Financial Services.

Share this article...

Want tax & accounting tips and insights?

Sign up for our newsletter.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .
Ember Coaching & Financial Services We want to help you, ask us questions
Feel free to use our Ai Powered Chat Assistant or click the contact button to reach us directly
Please fill out the form and our team will get back to you shortly The form was sent successfully