Calculating Crypto Taxes
Overview
Calculate cryptocurrency tax obligations from transaction history. Supports FIFO, LIFO, and HIFO cost basis methods, identifies taxable events (trades, staking, airdrops), and generates Form 8949 compatible reports.
DISCLAIMER: This tool provides informational calculations only, not tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional.
Prerequisites
- Transaction history exported as CSV from your exchanges (Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, etc.)
- Python 3.8+ installed
- Understanding of your tax jurisdiction's crypto rules
Instructions
- Prepare transaction data by exporting CSV from each exchange:
| Exchange |
Export Location |
| Coinbase |
Reports > Tax documents > Transaction history CSV |
| Binance |
Orders > Trade History > Export |
| Kraken |
History > Export |
| Generic |
See ${CLAUDESKILLDIR}/references/exchange_formats.md for column mapping |
- Run basic tax calculation using FIFO (IRS default):
python ${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/scripts/tax_calculator.py --transactions your_trades.csv --year 2025 # 2025 = tax year
- Compare cost basis methods to understand tax implications:
python ${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/scripts/tax_calculator.py --transactions trades.csv --compare-methods
Methods: --method fifo (IRS default), --method lifo (Last In First Out), --method hifo (minimize gains)
- Generate Form 8949 report as CSV:
python ${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/scripts/tax_calculator.py --transactions trades.csv --method fifo --year 2025 --output form_8949.csv --format csv # 2025 = tax year
- Handle income events (staking, airdrops, mining, DeFi yield):
python ${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/scripts/tax_calculator.py --transactions all_events.csv --income-report
- Consolidate multi-exchange data into a unified report:
python ${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/scripts/tax_calculator.py --transactions coinbase.csv binance.csv kraken.csv --year 2025 # 2025 = tax year
Output
Reports include short-term and long-term capital gains/losses broken down by transaction, with proceeds, cost basis, and gain/loss per disposal. Summary shows total proceeds, total cost basis, net capital gain, and short/long-term split. Income report lists staking, airdrop, and mining income with fair market values.
See ${CLAU
