Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
Level 2
posted Mar 3, 2020 9:13:53 AM

How do I download my cryptocurrency tax file from Zenledger?

I am ready to import my .txf file from Zenledger for my Cryptocurrency transactions. I have the desktop (CD) version of Turbo Tax with an upgrade to Premier via online.  I don't see the "cryptocurrency" sections that Premier is supposed to have.  It was my understanding that Premier provided this, which is why I upgraded.  Where do  I find the cryptocurrency section that I thought I was paying for with the upgrade? and how do I import this .txf file for form 8949?

1 21 7579
1 Best answer
Expert Alumni
Mar 3, 2020 12:28:49 PM

Here's an overview of the process DenM is proposing:

  1. Create a return on TurboTax Online.  (You won't have to pay for it until you file, which you're not going to do online.)
  2. Import your cryptocurrency into the online return.
  3. Download the online return to your computer.
  4. Open the file with the crytocurrency transactions and complete your return.

You may lose the data you've already entered in the return you created in desktop with this approach.

 

DernM's other solution is much better--report just the totals in each category, as you would with stocks.  You can report just the summaries of each category (short-term, long-term, etc.) and then mail in the statement to the IRS after filing.  Please follow these steps:

  1. Click on Federal > Wages & Income.
  2. In the Investment Income section click on the Start/Revisit box next to Stocks, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Other. 
  3. If you have already entered some investment sales, you will see a screen Here's the investment sales info we have so far.  Click on the Add More Sales link. 
  4. Click the Yes box on the screen Did you get a 1099-B or a brokerage statement for these sales?
  5. On the screen, Choose your bank or brokerage, click on the box I'll type it myself.
  6. Enter the name of the bank or brokerage and click Continue.
  7. On the screen, Tell us about your [XX] 1099-B, mark the button I'll enter a summary for each sales category.
  8. Boxes will appear for you to enter the proceeds, basis, and category.  After entering your information for this category, click the Done box. 
  9. On the screen, Do you have another sale to enter from your Big Bucks Brokerage 1099-B? mark the appropriate button.
  10. If you marked Yes, a Sale #2 - Tell us about your [XX] 1099-B screen will appear to enter the information on another category.
  11. Continue entering summaries of the transactions for all the categories.  When you are finished, on the screen Do you have another sale... mark the No box and click Continue.
  12. The next screen will be a summary of your entries:  Here's all the sales reported by [XX].  You can Edit, Delete, or Add a transaction.  
  13. For the instructions to mail in your statements, click on the instructions link underneath the table of transactions. 

21 Replies
Expert Alumni
Mar 3, 2020 10:01:29 AM

The Desktop CD version of TurboTax does not have a Cryptocurrency section. The TurboTax Online version of Premier does have a Cryptocurrency section. 

 

Zenledger is one of the supported partners for the Cryptocurrency section of the Online product. If you are working in the CD download version and you have a Zenledger aggregation, you can manually add a line of long term and a line of short term in the Stocks, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Other portion of the Investment section.

 

If you need to upload your Zenledger CSV file you can start a Premier online return. Upload last years .tax file to the Online program for any carryovers and to save typing. This will happen in the first couple of screens when opening the TurboTax Online return. Upload the ZenLedger CSV file to the Online product in the Investment section labeled Cryptocurrency. Then save your 2019 Online version to your desktop (see below). This will put the transactions on your Form 8949 and Schedule D, but there will be nothing in the Step by Step mode to indicate this. You will have to go to forms mode to see the transactions. Also if you have been doing any work on your return in the CD Download product, all of that will be lost and you will need to re-enter. You can not do this on a mobile device.

 

To save the .tax file in TurboTax Online to your computer:

 

  • While signed in and working in TurboTax
  • Click on Tax Tools in the left-hand menu
  • Then click on Tools
  • In the pop-up window, click Save your 2019 tax return to your computer.

Level 2
Mar 3, 2020 12:02:46 PM

How do I start working/access an online return if I have been using the desktop version?

Will it automatically transfer over the 2019 return I have been working on (this is now complete except for the cryptocurrency)?

Expert Alumni
Mar 3, 2020 12:28:49 PM

Here's an overview of the process DenM is proposing:

  1. Create a return on TurboTax Online.  (You won't have to pay for it until you file, which you're not going to do online.)
  2. Import your cryptocurrency into the online return.
  3. Download the online return to your computer.
  4. Open the file with the crytocurrency transactions and complete your return.

You may lose the data you've already entered in the return you created in desktop with this approach.

 

DernM's other solution is much better--report just the totals in each category, as you would with stocks.  You can report just the summaries of each category (short-term, long-term, etc.) and then mail in the statement to the IRS after filing.  Please follow these steps:

  1. Click on Federal > Wages & Income.
  2. In the Investment Income section click on the Start/Revisit box next to Stocks, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Other. 
  3. If you have already entered some investment sales, you will see a screen Here's the investment sales info we have so far.  Click on the Add More Sales link. 
  4. Click the Yes box on the screen Did you get a 1099-B or a brokerage statement for these sales?
  5. On the screen, Choose your bank or brokerage, click on the box I'll type it myself.
  6. Enter the name of the bank or brokerage and click Continue.
  7. On the screen, Tell us about your [XX] 1099-B, mark the button I'll enter a summary for each sales category.
  8. Boxes will appear for you to enter the proceeds, basis, and category.  After entering your information for this category, click the Done box. 
  9. On the screen, Do you have another sale to enter from your Big Bucks Brokerage 1099-B? mark the appropriate button.
  10. If you marked Yes, a Sale #2 - Tell us about your [XX] 1099-B screen will appear to enter the information on another category.
  11. Continue entering summaries of the transactions for all the categories.  When you are finished, on the screen Do you have another sale... mark the No box and click Continue.
  12. The next screen will be a summary of your entries:  Here's all the sales reported by [XX].  You can Edit, Delete, or Add a transaction.  
  13. For the instructions to mail in your statements, click on the instructions link underneath the table of transactions. 

Level 2
Jan 25, 2021 11:33:00 AM

do you have someone do this foe me and how is my return priced

Level 2
Jan 25, 2021 11:37:03 AM

my 2019 is being resubmitted this week. i need to speak to someone

Expert Alumni
Jan 25, 2021 12:29:14 PM

If you want to contact us directly about your 2019 return submission start by selecting Click or tap here to go to our Contact us page.

 

You can schedule a phone meeting for Live Support for 2020 by following these instructions:

  1. Sign in to your TurboTax Account Online
  2. Click the Live Tax Assistance in the upper right-hand corner of your screen
  3. Click "Upgrade" at the bottom right side of the screen if you choose
  4. Or Click the Blue Help ? box in the upper right-hand corner of your screen
  5. Type your question or issue then click "Let's Talk"
  6. Review the options and select

 

Level 2
Feb 13, 2021 8:19:32 AM

Do we still have to use this workaround for 2020 or does TurboTax Desktop Premier support the Zen Ledger Import function?

Intuit Alumni
Feb 15, 2021 1:58:46 PM

You will need to check the Zenledger website for TurboTax import instructions. Many of the cryptocurrency exchanges are not allowing a direct link for import into TurboTax.

@gdradke

 

Level 2
Feb 15, 2021 2:18:36 PM

I am not asking about import my exchange data into Zen Ledger. I have already done that. I have the output files from Zen Ledger. How can I import the data, forms, and other Zen Ledger into TurboTax Premier Desktop?

Intuit Alumni
Feb 15, 2021 5:38:58 PM

You will need to use a CSV file, but please see the post here for further assistance.

 

 

Level 1
Mar 26, 2021 2:45:13 PM

Your answer just went around in circles. It is apparent that you do not have a solution for directly loading files from ZenLedger into TurboTax Premier, or any version other than TurboTax online. That is very disappointing after several years of having the IRS place an emphasis in cryptocurrency reporting.

Level 2
Mar 26, 2021 6:19:42 PM

i have not found anyone who got back to me that could download my coinbase account to have this info for my 

tax return, julia roberts

Intuit Alumni
Mar 27, 2021 9:51:10 AM

@CH1449, please see the FAQ link provided below for assistance and let us know if this helps:

 

How do I get a CSV file from Coinbase?

Level 2
Mar 27, 2021 11:39:37 AM

The "experts" from Intuit are of zero help. If you use the Zen Ledger services, they will compile all of your various exchange data (coinbase, gemini, kraken, wallets...)  and generate a universal file (.csv). Further, they will automatically generate a Turbo Tax accounting software native file that you can import. In TurboTax Premier or higher, go to "File", "Import", "From Accounting Software", "Browse Files...", locate your Zen Ledger data folder, select the "aggregated.txf" that was generated by Zen Ledger. It should import just fine. You will have the best luck if you do this earlier in starting your return.

Intuit Alumni
Mar 27, 2021 11:46:47 AM

Coinbase no longer supports a direct import of a CSV file into TurboTax from their site which has resulted in an error message for some users. Instead, Coinbase is relying on a 3rd party, CoinTracker, as an option to calculate your cryptocurrency gains and losses and to access your CSV file. 
For more information, including a link to CoinTracker, please see this TurboTax Help Article: How do I get a CSV File from Coinbase? 

New Member
Apr 29, 2021 4:48:40 PM

How do I download my cryptocurrency tax file from Zenledger

UTILIZING PREMIER DESKTOP Turbotax 2020 ? ? ?

Expert Alumni
Apr 30, 2021 5:25:04 AM

There is no download available for desktop.  However, 

In TurboTax Desktop, to enter cryptocurrency that must be reported as an investment:

 

Option 1: Step By Step

  • From the Personal Tab>Personal Income
  • Select I'll choose what I work on
  • Scroll to Investment income and click Stocks, Mutual Funds, Bonds, Other click Start
  • Click Add an account
  • Did you get a 1099-B or a brokerage statement from these sales? Click No
  • Choose the type of investment you sold Select Everything Else and click Continue
  • Enter the details of your transactions

Option 2: From Forms Mode

  • Click on the Forms toggle in the upper corner>
  • Click Open Forms>in the search box, type cryptocurrency>
  • Click on Cryptocurrency Worksheet> click Open Form
  • Enter the details of your transactions

For a large number of transactions, enter it in summary form on Form 8949, one total for short-term and one total for long-term. Mail in the pages along with Form 8453 with the Form 8949 box checked.

 

For short-term transactions, Box C checked on Form 8949 for not being reported to you on Form 1099-B

For long-term transactions, Box F will be checked on Form 8949 for not being reported to you on Form 1099-B

 

Form 8453 can be found in Open Forms and printed to include with the hard copy details of your transactions.

 

Per@KathrynG3

Level 2
May 1, 2021 12:01:02 PM

ZenLedger is a separate 3rd party software. Their help services can answer your question about downloading their reports on your cryptocurrency ownership and trades. 

Expert Alumni
May 1, 2021 1:07:06 PM

@gdradke is correct. As mentioned earlier in the thread, for the extension of the upload, for TurboTax Online, use .CSV, and for TurboTax CD/Download, use .TXF. 

 

Before uploading, it is best to re-sort the columns to match TurboTax.  From left to right, title your columns: 

  • Service name (examples: Coinbase)
  • Asset name (examples: Bitcoin, Ethereum)
  • Date of purchase
  • Cost basis
  • Date of sale
  • Sale proceeds

For more information, see: Uploading Cryptocurrency in TurboTax Using Aggregator Services.

@cenyaw

New Member
Mar 12, 2022 3:14:54 PM

I am ready to import my .txf file from Zenledger for my Cryptocurrency transactions. I have the desktop (CD) version of Turbo Tax with an upgrade to Premier via online.  I don't see the "cryptocurrency" sections that Premier is supposed to have.  It was my understanding that Premier provided this, which is why I upgraded.  Where do  I find the cryptocurrency section that I thought I was paying for with the upgrade? and how do I import this .txf file for form 8949?

Expert Alumni
Mar 13, 2022 7:39:11 AM

In TurboTax Desktop, follow these steps to import a .txt file.  

  • File / Import / From Accounting Software / Other Financial Software (TXF) file /  Continue / Choose a File to Import / Import now.
  • A 1099-B with all crypto transactions is now created.   This entry can now be edited to include the account details.  Each transaction can be edited as well.
  • View the transactions under Federal Taxes / Wages & Income / I'll choose what I work on.
  • Scroll down to Stock, mutual funds, bonds, other.  Click Start / Update to the right.