Multiple methods below

As of February 2025, TurboTax has two different main page layouts upon login. This article covers both layouts. If the sidebar shown in Layout 1 is not visible on your screen, please skip ahead to Layout 2.

2025-02-10

How Investing vs Trading impacts tax

In most cases of buying and selling cryptocurrency as a retail investor, you are participating in investing rather than trading. The two are treated differently for tax purposes.

  • Investing is subject to capital gains tax or income tax, depending on the nature of the transaction.
  • Trading in this case refers to self-employment which is subject to income tax and National Insurance Contributions.

The key difference between investing and trading – along with the different tax treatments, is how losses generated in the crypto-activity can be used.

In their guidance, HMRC have explicitly stated that they would expect it to be exceedingly rare that any crypto-activity constituting buying & selling crypto would be classified as “trading”.

If you are uncertain, speak to a tax advisor as there are always exceptions, including but not limited to, developing tokens and large scale mining.

How is crypto tax calculated in the United States?

You can be liable for both capital gains and income tax depending on the type of cryptocurrency transaction, and your individual circumstances. For example, you might need to pay capital gains on profits from buying and selling cryptocurrency, or pay income tax on interest earned when holding crypto.

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Guides
10
 
Feb
 
2025
 - 
10
min read

How to submit your cryptocurrency report using TurboTax

This guide shows you two methods for uploading your crypto tax information to TurboTax. Updated for 2025.

Key takeaways
  • TurboTax has two different main page layouts depending on your account type. This guide explains the process for both of them.
  • You will need to report both your capital gains from crypto as well as your income from crypto.
  • Crypto Tax Calculator (CTC) simplifies your crypto tax reporting and supports both the Desktop and online versions of the TurboTax app.
This tax guide is regularly updated: Last Update  
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Given the popularity of TurboTax in the US and Canada for tax reporting, you'll probably want to learn how to report your crypto profit or loss alongside your regular income and capital gains.

To comprehensively report your crypto on Turbo Tax, you will need to upload both a crypto capital gains report and a crypto income report.

You can get both of these reports from Crypto Tax Calculator, which supports both the Desktop and online versions of the TurboTax app.

Here's a quick overview of how to file your crypto tax in TurboTax. Read on for detailed step-by-step instructions with screenshots of the TurboTax software.

CTC Report Tax Type Import Method
TurboTax - Capital Gains Report (Online) Capital gains Upload the downloaded file
TurboTax TXF - Capital Gains Report (Desktop) Capital gains Upload the downloaded file
Income Report Income Manually enter the figures

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How to Import Your Capital Gains Report into TurboTax (Layout 1)

1. Set up your account on TurboTax

Go to the TurboTax website and create an account or sign in if you already have one. Follow the prompts to set up your account. Make sure to check the box for "I sold stock or crypto" or a similar option if it’s available.

2. Navigate to Federal > Wages & Income

Click on the Federal Tab on the sidebar once you have completed the “My info” section to start filing your wages and income. Follow the prompts and check crypto investment-related boxes.

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3. Add 'Investments and Savings Income'

TurboTax updates its website from time to time and provides different workflows tailored to its users' individual situations. After prompts, you will be led to a page that looks similar to the image below. Click Start on Investments and Savings and answer the questions accordingly.

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If you don’t see this option, scroll down and look for Investments and Savings to get started.

When asked how to handle it, click Skip.

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4. Upload your TurboTax Capital Gains Report

You will be prompted to choose which cryptocurrency service to import your information. Select Enter a different way.

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Then select Cryptocurrency.

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Then select Upload it from my computer.

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Select CryptoTaxCalculator in the 'Crypto service' dropdown menu, and select Gain/Loss Report or Form 1099-B as your CSV Type, and click Continue.

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If you have already downloaded the TurboTax file from Crypto Tax Calculator onto your computer, you can now upload it to TurboTax.

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If you have not downloaded this form yet, follow the below steps to download the TurboTax Online report from your CTC account and import it directly into TurboTax:

  1. Go to the Reports page, confirm the report period and tax settings are correct, and proceed to download the report.
  2. With TurboTax Online: Click 'Turbotax Online' to download the TurboTax - Capital Gains Report.
  3. With TurboTax CD/DVD: Click 'Download reports'. Download TurboTax TXF - Capital Gains Report in the report menu.

5. Review Taxable Transactions in TurboTax

Once the file is uploaded, you can review the imported transactions. A few things to be noted:

  • Only capital gain transactions are imported from the TurboTax Capital Gains Report file. To report your income, check the following section.
  • Short-term and long-term gains are listed separately, even with the same token.
  • Edit or add transactions if necessary.

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How to Import Your Capital Gains Report into TurboTax (Layout 2)

Note: TurboTax has two different main page layouts. If your screen looks different from the one shown below, please follow the instructions in this section instead.

After setting up your account and logging in, you should see the following page.

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Click the edit icon next to Investments and Savings and answer the questions based on your situation.

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If you don’t see this option in the dropdown menu, click Add income, then select the Investments and Savings category that includes cryptocurrency.

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Select Yes to proceed.

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Return to Step 4 in the section above and continue with the instructions.

How to Report Other Crypto Income in TurboTax

1. Download your CTC Income Report

Go to the Reports page and select Download Reports. From the tax report menu, download the Income Report PDF.

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2. Navigate to Federal > Wages & Income In TurboTax

As explained above.

3. Fill out your other crypto income

  1. Click Add More Income.
  2. Choose Less Common Income.
  3. Select Miscellaneous Income, 1099-A, 1099-C.
  4. Select Other Reportable Income.

4. Fill out your income items.

Enter the amount and income type (e.g., Crypto staking income, Crypto airdrop income) from your CTC Income Report. For multiple income items, add a new entry for each one.

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5. Upload your CTC Income Report

Click on Documents in the left-side menu bar.

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Upload your CTC Income Report.

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In the Tax Form dropdown menu, select Other for the CTC Income Report you just uploaded.

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The information provided on this website is general in nature and is not tax, accounting or legal advice. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this information, you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs and seek professional advice. Crypto Tax Calculator disclaims all and any guarantees, undertakings and warranties, expressed or implied, and is not liable for any loss or damage whatsoever (including human or computer error, negligent or otherwise, or incidental or Consequential Loss or damage) arising out of, or in connection with, any use or reliance on the information or advice in this website. The user must accept sole responsibility associated with the use of the material on this site, irrespective of the purpose for which such use or results are applied. The information in this website is no substitute for specialist advice.

FAQ

What if I have more than 2251 transactions in TurboTax?

TurboTax is limited to 2251 transactions. If you have more than this, we will consolidate your transaction history so it fits into the TurboTax software. You will also need to mail your complete 8949 form to the IRS.

Does the CTC Income Report I uploaded to TurboTax get sent to the IRS automatically?

No, TurboTax does not automatically send the CTC Income Report to the IRS because the IRS e-file system cannot accept additional files. If the IRS needs it, they will request it from you directly.

If you want to include the report voluntarily, you can print your tax return, attach the income report to the back, and mail it to the IRS.

Why won’t my CTC report upload into TurboTax?

If your report fails to upload, ensure you are importing it under the Federal section, not the Documents section. These sections serve different purposes, and uploading to the wrong one can cause errors.

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Try Crypto Tax Calculator today

Import your transactions and generate a free report preview.

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