IRS Simplifies Crypto Tax with New 1099-DA Draft

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has unveiled a revised draft of the 1099-DA tax form, aimed at simplifying the reporting of digital asset transactions for crypto brokers and investors. This updated draft, which will be used starting in the 2025 tax period, marks a significant improvement from the version released in April 2024.

The new draft regulations are available on the IRS website for public comment over the next 30 days. While the draft resolves some issues from earlier versions, experts suggest that the IRS could enhance its understanding of the crypto landscape to better assist investors.

A major update in the new 1099-DA form is the removal of the requirement for investors to disclose their wallet addresses and transaction IDs. This change reduces privacy concerns by eliminating the need to report sensitive information. Additionally, the form now requires only the transaction date, eliminating the need to report the exact time. Brokers are no longer required to specify their type of brokerage, further streamlining the form.

According to Raj Mukherjee and Seth Wilks, Directors of the IRS Office of Digital Asset Initiative, the new form will help taxpayers comply with the complex regulations surrounding digital assets, making the process more straightforward.

Crypto tax experts have praised the revised 1099-DA form as a major improvement. Jessalyn Dean, Vice President of Tax Information Reporting at Ledgible, noted that the previous draft was confusing and difficult to understand, while this version is much clearer and easier to use.

However, Andrew Rossow, an attorney and CEO of AR Media Consulting, believes that while these changes address some privacy issues, they fall short. He argues that the IRS could further simplify the filing process for investors. Rossow noted that the IRS has focused on centralized exchanges, often overlooking the growing decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem, which operates under different rules. This oversight could hinder innovation and create an unequal playing field in the industry.

The release of this new draft follows the IRS's recent guidelines for brokers on reporting virtual currency transactions issued just two months ago. The agency also plans to consider decentralized and self-custodied brokerage businesses as part of its renewed focus in the coming year. Although the 1099-DA form is not yet finalized, it is expected to be implemented for the 2025 tax year.

The IRS’s updated approach emphasizes increased disclosure and oversight in the crypto space. While the new 1099-DA form is a step in the right direction, it still needs further refinement to better accommodate individuals dealing with virtual currencies.

This draft signals a significant shift in the IRS's approach to crypto taxation. By addressing privacy concerns and simplifying reporting requirements, the IRS aims to make it easier for taxpayers to comply with regulations in the evolving digital asset landscape. However, as the crypto industry continues to grow and change, further adjustments may be necessary to ensure that regulations keep pace with innovation and do not hinder the development of decentralized financial systems.

With public feedback now open, the IRS has an opportunity to refine the 1099-DA form further and ensure it meets the needs of both the agency and taxpayers. As the 2025 tax year approaches, the crypto community will be closely watching how these regulations unfold and impact the broader industry.