Your Ultimate Guide to Airdrop Taxes

Introduction to Cryptocurrency Airdrops

Cryptocurrency airdrops have increasingly become a hot topic in the digital asset ecosystem, generating significant buzz and excitement among crypto enthusiasts. Airdrops serve as a strategic tool for blockchain and DeFi projects to distribute free tokens to early adopters, fostering widespread adoption and creating a thriving community. This marketing tactic not only incentivizes user engagement but also paves the way for future growth and development in the nascent world of digital currencies. The recent Arbitrum airdrop perfectly exemplifies this phenomenon, as it rewarded early explorers who used the layer 2, and captured the attention of the crypto community and spurred an intense discussion around the platform's innovative layer-2 scaling solution.

If you have ever used a crypto wallet, you may be a recipient of one of these airdrops without even knowing it. As users of crypto wallets and potential recipients of these valuable assets, it is essential to be aware of the associated tax obligations to avoid finding oneself in hot water with tax authorities in the future.

Deciding which airdrops are worth claiming, or holding is a financial decision you will have to make, but you’ll want to check any and all self-custody wallets to know what airdrops you are eligible for!

How to find if you are eligible for airdrops?

In most cases, many wallets are used to interact with various blockchains and the numerous DeFi apps and Dapps that exist in those blockchain ecosystems. Remembering which wallets interacted with all of these projects and what to look out for can be difficult and confusing. There are also other considerations to be aware of.

Here is a short list of things to look our for:

• What determines eligibility?
• What's the process to claim (Opt-in or auto-airdropped)?
• What is the proper claim link?
• Is this the real token or a scam?
• Is this token worth anything or is this spam?
• Is this token worth the tax implication?

That's where Earni.fi can help.

Earni.fi tracks wallets that become eligible for airdrops and helps with the claiming process. It has already delivered over $203 million in high-quality airdrop notifications for those who have subscribed!

Earni.fi is so powerful that it will also surface missed or expired airdrops! Simply copy and paste an Ethereum wallet address into the search at earni.fi to check across multiple blockchains.

There is also an option to sign up to receive notifications when a wallet is eligible to claim so a valuable airdrop is never missed.

Earni.fi has uncovered an average of $832 per user.

Here is a list of supported blockchains on Earni.fi:

• Ethereum
• Arbitrum
• Optimism
• Polygon
• Avalanche
• Gnosis
• Binance Smart Chain
• ImmutableX
• Cosmos - partial beta support!

Tax Treatment of Cryptocurrency Airdrops

Navigating the intricate realm of cryptocurrency taxation can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to the tax treatment of airdrops. According to IRS guidance, airdropped tokens are considered taxable income when claimed, with recipients required to report the fair market value (FMV) of the tokens as ordinary income. However, the tax implications don't end there; once the airdropped tokens are sold or exchanged, they may also be subject to capital gains taxation.

Let's take the recent Arbitrum (ARB) airdrop as an example:

• You claimed 5000 ARB tokens through an airdrop when the FMV is $1 per token.
• The taxable income from this airdrop would be 5000 ARB * $1 = $5,000.
• Later, you decide to sell your 5000 ARB tokens for $20,000 (at a price of $4 per token).
• To determine the capital gains from this transaction, you would first ascertain your cost base and capital proceeds:
  • Cost base: $5,000 (initial taxable income)
  • Capital proceeds: $20,000 (sale proceeds)
  • Capital Gains = Capital proceeds - Cost base = $20,000 - $5,000
• As a result, your capital gains equate to $15,000.

To accurately report your taxes, you must keep detailed records, including the date of receipt, FMV of the airdropped tokens, and any subsequent transactions. Calculating the FMV can be achieved by referencing the token's price on a reputable exchange or by taking the average price across multiple exchanges at the time of receipt. To streamline this process , we recommend earni.fi to automatically check if your crypto wallets qualify for legitimate airdrops and will allow you to claim the airdrops all within the app. To get your taxes sorted and ensure compliance with tax laws, using reputable crypto tax software like Crypto Tax Calculator can be a game-changer by automating record-keeping and simplifying tax calculations for airdrops and other crypto transactions.

Spam Token Airdrops

On the dark side of the digital world, spam token airdrops have emerged as a notable concern for crypto enthusiasts. Spam tokens, sometimes referred to as scam or junk tokens, are digital assets with little to no intrinsic value, often created for malicious purposes or to simply spam users. Spam airdrops involve the unsolicited distribution of these tokens to unsuspecting recipients, adding a layer of complexity to the already complex process of managing cryptocurrency holdings and taxes.

Spam tokens and airdrops are distributed through various means, such as directly sending them to a user's wallet or automatically adding them to an exchange account. In some cases, the token issuers may leverage social media platforms or other communication channels to create hype and manipulate the value of these tokens. While spam airdrops may initially seem harmless, they can lead to an array of risks and potential issues, including increased transaction fees, reduced wallet functionality, or even security threats due to interacting with unknown or malicious projects.

The tax implications of spam token airdrops can be particularly worrisome if not dealt with correctly. Since airdrops are considered taxable income, recipients must report the fair market value of airdropped tokens as ordinary income. However, if recorded as spam or junk tokens, and not interacted with, the tax impact of these tokens can be avoided.

Failure to do so may result in unexpected tax liabilities, penalties, or even audits. To mitigate these risks, it is crucial to maintain accurate records of spam token airdrops, including the date of receipt and any additional information relevant to the tokens. Crypto Tax Calculator allows users to mark unwanted airdrops as spam so that the tokens are removed from the tax report calculations. By staying vigilant and well-informed, crypto users can successfully navigate the challenges posed by spam token airdrops and ensure compliance with tax regulations.

Best Practices for Handling Cryptocurrency Airdrops and Spam Tokens

As the popularity of cryptocurrency airdrops and the prevalence of spam tokens continue to rise, it's more important than ever for crypto enthusiasts to implement best practices for safeguarding their digital assets. Malicious tokens and smart contracts can pose significant dangers, including the potential for hacks, theft, or unauthorized access to sensitive information. To protect against these threats, consider using a hardware wallet for secure storage of your digital assets, as this offers an additional layer of protection compared to software wallets.

Furthermore, it's crucial to exercise caution when dealing with unknown tokens or smart contracts—refrain from interacting with suspicious projects or clicking on unverified links. Always visit reputable sites and rely on trusted sources for information to minimize the risk of falling prey to malicious actors in the crypto space.

Equally important is staying informed about tax regulations and updates related to cryptocurrency airdrops and spam tokens. As the digital asset landscape matures, tax laws and regulations are continuously evolving to keep pace with new developments. By following news updates, regulatory announcements, and seeking advice from tax professionals, you can stay ahead of the curve and maintain compliance with the ever-changing world of cryptocurrency taxation. Embracing these best practices not only protects your digital assets but also ensures a smooth and hassle-free experience when navigating the complex domain of crypto taxes.

Getting Help with your Crypto Taxes

The Crypto Tax Calculator platform offers automated airdrop categorization, as well as spam token detection. Since most regions treat airdrops as an income tax event, the platform's algorithm automatically categorizes any activity that matches this criteria (with the option to manually categorize transactions based on specific regional guidelines). For any future capital gains tax events, the cost basis is tracked by the algorithm as well.

The automated detection of spam airdrops highlights likely spam tokens to users, allowing for them to be marked as spam quickly and easily. Many individuals may not realize that their wallet has received scam tokens until it has been uploaded to Crypto Tax Calculator.

Some scam tokens may show an extremely high value. If left categorized incorrectly, these scam airdrops could potentially impact tax outcomes substantially, as their artificially high valuation could lead to inflated income, balance, and/or capital gains figures. Once a transaction is confirmed as a spam airdrop, it can be managed quickly and easily through the Crypto Tax Calculator platform. This removes the tokens from any tax calculations, ensuring you don’t overpay on tax.