Crypto & Digital Asset Recordkeeping Checklist

1) Exchanges & Platforms

• List every exchange used (Coinbase, Kraken, Binance, etc.).
• Confirm full transaction exports are available (not just summaries).
• Check date ranges — confirm records go back to first use.
• Include inactive or closed accounts if they were used during the year.

Missing even one exchange can throw off your entire tax picture.

2) Wallets & Self-Custody

• List all wallets used (hardware, mobile, browser-based).
• Record wallet addresses and label their purpose.
• Track wallet-to-wallet transfers so they are not misclassified as sales.
• Note which wallets are personal vs business-related.

Transfers are one of the most common causes of incorrect crypto tax reporting.

3) Transaction Types to Track

• Buys & sells (fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-crypto).
• Trades & swaps on DEXs or within wallets.
• Payments received for goods or services.
• Transfers between platforms.

4) Income & Reward Events

• Staking rewards
• Airdrops
• Referral bonuses
• Mining or validator income
• NFT royalties or creator earnings

These are often taxable as income — even if you never sold the asset.

5) Cost Basis, Fees & Adjustments

• Confirm purchase prices and timestamps.
• Include transaction fees where applicable.
• Identify missing cost basis from older wallets or platforms.
• Flag manual entries that may need review.

6) Documentation & Notes

• Save CSV exports in a dedicated crypto folder.
• Keep notes for unusual transactions or one-time events.
• Document lost access, stolen assets, or abandoned wallets.
• Track which years each platform was used.

When to Get Help

• You used multiple exchanges and wallets.
• You have missing or partial records.
• You used DeFi, NFTs, staking, or bridges.
• You received IRS letters or notices related to crypto.
• You are unsure what is taxable vs non-taxable.