The Scope De-Fi

#USCryptoStakingTaxReview USCryptoStakingTaxReview In the United States, crypto staking is subject to a "two-tier" tax system: it is taxed first as ordinary income when you receive it, and later as capital gains if you sell or trade it. As of December 2023, the primary guidance comes from IRS Revenue Ruling 2023-14, which solidified the requirement to report rewards as income in the year you gain "dominion and control" over them. 1. The Income Tax Event (Receipt) The moment you have the legal right to move, sell, or spend your staking rewards, they are considered taxable income. Valuation: You must record the Fair Market Value (FMV) in USD at the exact time of receipt. Tax Rate: These rewards are taxed at your marginal income tax bracket (ranging from 10% to 37%). Dominion & Control: For locked assets (like ETH staked before the Shapella upgrade), the IRS generally views them as taxable only once they are unlocked and available to you. 2. The Capital Gains Event (Sale/Trade) When you eventually dispose of those rewards (sell for cash, trade for another coin, or buy a coffee), you trigger a second tax event. Cost Basis: Your cost basis for these coins is the FMV you reported as income in Step 1. Calculation: Capital Gain/Loss = Proceeds - Cost Basis. Holding Period: * Short-term: Held for ≤ 1 year (taxed as ordinary income). Long-term: Held for > 1 year (taxed at lower rates: 0%, 15%, or 20%).