Digital Assets
Digital assets are any digital representations of value that are recorded on a cryptographically secured distributed ledger or any similar technology. For example, digital assets include non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and virtual currencies, such as cryptocurrencies and stablecoins. If a particular asset has the characteristics of a digital asset, it will be treated as a digital asset for federal income tax purposes.
Check the “Yes” box next to the question on digital assets on page 1 of Form 1040 or 1040-SR if at any time during 2025, you (a) received (as a reward, award, or payment for property or services); or (b) sold, exchanged, or otherwise disposed of a digital asset (or any financial interest in any digital asset).
For example, check “Yes” if at any time during 2025, you:
Received digital assets as payment for property or services provided;
Received digital assets as a result of a reward or award;
Received new digital assets as a result of mining, staking, and similar activities;
Received digital assets as a result of a hard fork;
Disposed of digital assets in exchange for property or services;
Disposed of a digital asset in exchange or trade for another digital asset;
Sold a digital asset; or
Otherwise disposed of any other financial interest in a digital asset.
You have a financial interest in a digital asset if you are the owner of record of a digital asset, or have an ownership stake in an account that holds one or more digital assets, including the rights and obligations to acquire a financial interest, or you own a wallet that holds digital assets.
The following actions or transactions in 2025, alone, generally don’t require you to check “Yes.”
Holding a digital asset in a wallet or account;
Transferring a digital asset from one wallet or account you own or control to another wallet or account that you own or control; or
Purchasing digital assets using U.S. or other real currency, including through the use of electronic platforms such as PayPal and Venmo.
If you used a broker to effect the sale of a digital asset, your broker should send you Form 1099-DA. You must answer the digital asset question on Form 1040 whether or not you received a Form 1099-DA.
Do not leave the question unanswered. You must answer “Yes” or “No” by checking the appropriate box. For more information, go to IRS.gov/VirtualCurrencyFAQs .