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crypto NFT advertisement

Hi

 

If I receive the unsolicted NFT airdrop with 0 value and it is actually an advertisement or maybe scam (ask me to go to some website), do I need to report this transaction into IRS? Actually, my wallet directly put it into the scam and hide it

 

Thanks.

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8 Replies
SabrinaD2
Employee Tax Expert

crypto NFT advertisement

No, you typically don't need to report unsolicited NFT airdrops with no value, especially if flagged as scams and hidden by your wallet.  No Income or Value: The IRS taxes airdropped assets only if they have measurable value and you control them.  An unsolicited NFT with 0 value isn't taxable.

 

For more information, refer to the to this article on Cryto Airdop

crypto NFT advertisement

Probably not right away, if I understand your question. 

 

If you are mining cryptocurrency, then the currency you create is taxable income as of the daily value when it is created.  Then, if you later sell it for more than the taxable value you first reported, you have a taxable gain based on the gain from the mining price.

 

If you buy cryptocurrency, your basis is what you paid.  When you sell it or use it (convert it to money, goods, or a different cryptocurrency) and the value is more than you paid, you have a taxable capital gain which is the difference between the selling price and purchase price.  But you don't pay tax just holding it, only when you convert it to real goods or real money. 

 

If someone gives you cryptocurrency, your basis is the price they originally paid.  Then when you sell it or use it, you report a capital gain if you sell for more than the giver's basis.  This can be hard to prove, and if you are audited and don't have proof of the giver's basis, the entire value may be taxable.  But just holding a gift of cryptocurrency is not a taxable event.

 

Now, is this a gift, or a premium of some kind?  Gifts are not taxable, but you need to know the basis, and if the company gives you free cryptocurrency, then your basis is zero and you pay tax on the entire value when you convert it to something real.   Receiving the gift and holding the gift is not reported or taxed, just when you sell it or convert it.  And if it is a premium, it reduces the overall basis.  For example, suppose you buy 0.1 BTC for $10,000 and receive a 10% bonus of 0.01 free BTC.  You now have 0.11 BTC, but your overall basis is still what you paid, $10,000.

 

I have no idea how you can keep track of all this, stock brokers do it all the time for stock accounts and mutual funds.  Hopefully your exchange keeps track and provides you with similar information.  If you are even audited and can't prove your basis, the entire amount of any sale or conversion could be taxed. 

crypto NFT advertisement

many thanks. that is super helpful

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many thanks, Opus. Yeah, there are some specific software to record everything. The only issue is to pay them to generate the record for you.

 

Err, you can think it is a gift with 0 value sent to you. It is shown 0 value in the software and be considered as spam directly by the wallet. Basically, it is like one scam email sent to your mailbox with the format of NFT and ask you to go to some website but you cannot stop them sending it to you. I think Sabrina's reply makes sense to me. thanks

 

 

crypto NFT advertisement

@SabrinaD2 

 

One more question for curious. If the unsolicted NFT airdrop has no value, there is no need to report, right? No matter wether it is a scam or not (may be just one random picture)

 

crypto NFT advertisement

@SabrinaD2 did you see it?

SabrinaD2
Employee Tax Expert

crypto NFT advertisement

If you receive an unsolicited NFT airdrop that has no measurable value or market value, you generally don't need to report it to the IRS. NFTs are typically non-taxable unless you decide to sell them later. If the NFT gains value and you sell it, you would then report it as a capital gain.

 

For more detailed information, you can refer to the IRS guidelines on digital assets here.

crypto NFT advertisement

got it, that is very clear. thanks

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