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New Member
posted Apr 24, 2024 3:23:35 PM

Bitcoin

I bought Bitcoin a year ago 2023 and on February 2024 I sold 1,000 dollars. How much taxes do I have to pay for that transaction? 

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1 Replies
Expert Alumni
Apr 24, 2024 3:33:00 PM

It depends on the price of the Bitcoin when you purchased it and sold it.  

 

The tax transaction is similar to selling a stock.  You need to know what amount of Bitcoin was sold to generate the $1000 and how much it cost to buy that same amount of Bitcoin when you purchased it.  If you held it for less than one year, then you will owe short term capital gains tax, if the transaction resulted in a gain.  If it was over one year, then the long term capital gains tax would apply.

 

For illustration, suppose you bought 2 'coins' in 2023 for $2000 ($1000 per coin).  When you sold it, you sold 1/2 coin to receive $1000.  So, the result is $1000 proceeds minus $500 cost of 1/2 coin for a gain of $500 which would be taxable.  

 

If the value of the coin dropped between the time you purchased it and sold some to get $1000, then you would be able to claim a capital loss on the transaction.