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New Member
posted Mar 20, 2020 9:23:22 PM

While uploading a Crypto CSV file from Coinbase Pro, I received the error message "validation failed". What might be wrong with my file and how can I upload?

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24 Replies
Intuit Alumni
Mar 21, 2020 1:01:24 PM

Are you trying to download any transaction history files? Those files won't upload. Please refer to the following article for assistance with uploading the CSV file.

How do I get a CSV file from Coinbase?

New Member
Jul 21, 2020 12:39:28 PM

The question was about "Coinbase Pro". It's not the same as Coinbase. If you follow the instructions on the link you won't be downloading your Coinbase Pro transactions. Their Support team says it's a TurboTax issue. I get a message that says "No headers found in this file" . The "Coinbase" CSV files that you download from each wallet upload fine to TT. Please let us know how to proceed. I would imagine there are millions of people that use "Coinbase Pro" and Turbotax. And yes I tried uploading on a bunch of different browsers and machines.

Level 2
Jan 16, 2021 6:56:28 PM

@AkinaLO,

 

Please flag or do whatever it is that employees do in order to inform supervisor(s) about issues between TT and a "trusted company partner," in this case that "trusted company partner" is Coinbase. They've removed their "gains/loss" calculator for their users and are requiring use to use 3rd party companies so the 3rd party company, as well as Coinbase, make even more profit off of us. Kind of sad and pathetic. 

Level 2
Jan 21, 2021 10:01:41 PM

I too am getting this error while attempting to upload CSV files from both Coinbase and Cointracker. I even imported to Google Sheets to verify there were headers and exported from there.

Level 3
Jan 21, 2021 10:14:04 PM

Perhaps trying one of the other TurboTax crypto partners may work out better? I've been using CryptoTrader.Tax the past three years without any issues. Here's a guide from their site on importing into TurboTax Online: https://cryptotrader.tax/blog/how-to-file-your-cryptocurrency-taxes-with-turbotax

Level 2
Jan 21, 2021 10:48:02 PM

"Heads up, we only support CSV files from partners. Your Coinbase file will be compatible as long as it's under 2251 transactions."

According to TurboTax it is supposed to work so I shouldn't have to pay a 3rd party service when I'm already paying TurboTax for this feature.

Level 1
Jan 22, 2021 10:52:39 PM

No this is completely incorrect and outdated. Please update that help site, because Coinbase doesn't have those options anymore.

Level 2
Jan 23, 2021 8:20:48 PM

Seconding this, it seems like the article written to guide us through Coinbase, Coinbase now reports things differently -- no gain/loss caluclator. They still allow downloads of a CSV file for the year, BUT Turbo tax keeps throwing an error saying "No headers found in this file". Coinbase's partnership with TT Premier and touting the ease of the transaction data is the only reason I'm using this service and am hoping it gets fixed before taxes are due. 

Level 1
Jan 23, 2021 8:47:39 PM

I keep getting “No headers found in this file”. 

I tried updating them through excel and numbed and still get the same error. Please fix this. It’s extremely frustrating. 

New Member
Jan 28, 2021 9:45:43 PM

@AkinaLO 

 

I'm also getting the error: "Please make sure your CSV file has columns for Currency Name, Purchase Date, Cost Basis, Date sold, and Proceeds, then try uploading again." Coinbase doesn't have these columns when you export the doc from their site. Please fix this. Manually entering each transaction will take way too long.

New Member
Jan 28, 2021 10:24:09 PM

The article linked by @AkinaLO does not contain accurate information. Step 2, "Select 2020 next to Gain/Loss Calculator." is not an available option. 

 

The product page claims TurboTax Premier & Self Employed can "Accurately account for gains and losses from cryptocurrency transactions" (https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/). Please advise how we can do this for trades made using Coinbase Pro, given what data users are able to download from their accounts on that site.

Level 1
Feb 2, 2021 10:41:57 AM

Last year it worked.

 But this year I keep getting the error message "No headers found" and when I look at the Excel Spread    CSV file  there are the purchases and sales listed, but no information about the cost basis.

 How am I supposed to know what cost basis applies to my many sales?  This ought to be set up similar to a Tax Form 1040 Schedule D Format.   So if other members mentioned that the gains/loss calculator is missing, why is that??

That throws a very bad light on Coinbase and also on Intuit Turbo Tax when the steps are supposed to be simple, and then they are not.

Since I am not the only one with this trouble, and we are now at the beginning of February, 2021, please, please fix this up to the taxpayers' satisfaction.  And pronto !! 

New Member
Feb 3, 2021 7:23:42 PM

Having the same issue -- it seems to be a turbotax issue that they have not yet addressed....

Level 1
Feb 4, 2021 10:44:39 AM

Update -

After I had tried everything else, I grinded my teeth and used the application COINTRACKER and sure enough, it worked.  They guided me through the steps.  

I feel good that this portion of my Tax Return is now "done" - but I feel that last year we had the Coinbase Gains/Loss File for 2019 for free, and this year, after already paying for TurboTax, we still have to use a Third Party and pay again.

No way would I have been able to manually enter my numbers, meaning which cost base to use and when.  A  regular tax filer, without accounting training, cannot do this.   So this is how we are forced into this extra expense.  And next year, too, you can count on that.

 

On the funny side, once this application COINTRACKER is now linked to Coinbase, it e-mails me each morning with something like, "Hello, we found these new transaction results in your history and these are your daily results.  .....% here,  .....% there,  etc."    Well, okay, so much for modern technology.  

 

I feel like I am living in a fish bowl, "Big Brother Is Watching".  

Level 1
Feb 4, 2021 12:20:32 PM

You do realize, you can just go to the official IRS website to click a link to Turbo Tax and get this service for free, right? I haven't paid for Turbo Tax in years. Also, Cointracker is what I used, but I didn't pay for that, either. If you import everything into Cointracker, it will show you all of your transactions, and you can manually add your trades from there as it also calculates your Net Gain.

Level 2
Feb 4, 2021 3:29:50 PM

This may work but it will cost an additional $49.  Coinbase and Turbo Tax have already stated it can be done between the two of them.

Level 2
Feb 4, 2021 6:04:58 PM

@FinnishArmy  “You do realize...” that if that was known then no one here would be asking this and other related questions on this forum...correct? You should attempt to not provide responses with condescending statements on a community forum where members help other members without the a$$hole tone. 🙂 

Level 2
Feb 4, 2021 7:17:26 PM

@FinnishArmysome of us have reasons for paying, there are benefits. Secondly, uploading a CSV from Cointracker isn't working either.

Level 3
Feb 4, 2021 7:37:52 PM

Wanna drop this here, I've had no issues at all with CryptoTrader.Tax  - https://cryptotrader.tax/blog/how-to-file-your-cryptocurrency-taxes-with-turbotax

Level 2
Feb 5, 2021 11:06:39 AM

This requires an additional $49 fee.  I would like to do it without additional fees.

Intuit Alumni
Feb 5, 2021 11:56:24 AM

If you experience issues downloading, please contact Coinbase directly.

Level 2
Feb 5, 2021 12:01:53 PM

I have submitted Case# 04507578 with Coinbase.  However, Coinbase is notorious for having poor to no support for their platform.  They even admit it:  "We’re currently experiencing an increase in inquiries. There may be a delay in responses from Coinbase Support. Learn more about our commitment to a better customer experience in our latest blog post. We appreciate you bearing with us during this exciting time for the cryptoeconomy."  I have talked to a nice lady at Turbo Tax and she has escalated it.

Not applicable
Feb 9, 2021 8:59:26 PM

I didn't even make $50 why would I want to pay more than I made to get the report?

Not applicable
Feb 9, 2021 9:01:44 PM

Was it more than $10? Because my gains are not much higher