BLOG
/
Guides
checkCircle
Expert verified
8 min read

Should I Sell My Bitcoin?: A Guide for the Savvy Investor

Should I Sell My Bitcoin?: A Guide for the Savvy Investor
info
Our Editorial Standards:
Our content is designed to educate the 400,000+ crypto investors who use the CoinLedger platform. Though our articles are for informational purposes only, they are written in accordance with the latest guidelines from tax agencies around the world and reviewed by certified tax professionals before publication. Learn More

Wondering whether you should sell your Bitcoin? 

Let’s be clear: whether or not you should sell your Bitcoin is dependent on multiple factors in your personal life, including but not limited to your current financial situation. 

That being said, there are a few factors that every investor should take into account before making the decision to sell. In this guide, we’ll go through three essential questions you should ask yourself before you sell your tokens (and a couple of action items once you’ve made your decision). 

Three essential questions to ask before you sell your Bitcoin

How will my profits/losses on Bitcoin be taxed? 

Before you make the decision to sell your Bitcoin, it’s important to keep in mind the possible tax ramifications of your decision. 

When you sell your Bitcoin, you’ll incur a capital gain or a capital loss based on how the value of your tokens has fluctuated since you originally received them. 

You can calculate how much capital gains/capital losses you’ll incur through this simple formula: 

Capital gains calculation

If the price of your tokens has gone up in value since it was originally received, you’ll be required to pay capital gain tax on your profits. If you are planning to sell your Bitcoin at a profit, you may want to consider how much money you’ll be left with after taxes. 

Selling bitcoin tax implications

If the price of your tokens has gone down in value since it was originally received, you will be able to claim a capital loss and offset your capital gains for the tax year and up to $3,000 worth of income. If you are planning to sell your Bitcoin at a loss, you may want to consider how it will impact your capital gains for the tax year. 

Crypto capital gains example

Will you be paying short-term or long-term capital gains? 

Depending on how long you’ve held your Bitcoin, your gains may be taxed as long-term or short-term capital gains. 

If you’ve owned your Bitcoin for 12 months or less, you’ll need to pay the higher short-term capital gain tax rate. If you’ve owned your Bitcoin for more than 12 months, you’ll pay the lower long-term capital gain tax rate. 

Long term vs Short term capital gains

Can I leverage Bitcoin’s unique tax-loss harvesting advantages? 

If you’re currently thinking about selling your tokens, you should keep in mind that Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have a unique characteristic that make them a better candidate for tax-loss harvesting than traditional equities. 

At this time, the IRS has a wash sale rule in place that says that a capital loss cannot be claimed on securities if they are bought 30 days before or after a sale. However, IRS guidance has labeled cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin as property, not securities. 

Based on current IRS guidance, it’s reasonable to assume that the wash sale rule does not apply to cryptocurrency at this time (however, the IRS will soon be changing the wash sale rule for crypto). Many investors choose to sell their crypto, claim a capital loss, and buy back their tokens shortly after. 

Crypto wash sale rule

For more information, check out our complete guide to tax-loss harvesting. 
‍

Three action items to take once you’ve decided to sell/hold your Bitcoin 

What should I do if I don’t want to sell my Bitcoin? 

Some investors don’t want to sell their Bitcoin but still need fiat currency for their own personal use. In this case, many investors choose to leverage cryptocurrency loans. 

With a cryptocurrency loan, you’ll be able to receive fiat money as a loan using your Bitcoin as collateral. Typically, you’ll be required to pay your loan with interest on a monthly basis. 

Popular options for Bitcoin loans include BlockFi and Celsius Network. 

How can I sell my Bitcoin?  

If you make the decision to sell your Bitcoin, you can sell your tokens through exchanges such as Coinbase, Gemini, and Kraken. Keep in mind that these platforms typically charge fees on your transactions. 

How can I manage my Bitcoin taxes? 

To report your Bitcoin taxes after a sale, you’ll need your original cost basis for buying your tokens. Unfortunately, finding this information can be difficult, especially if you’re using multiple wallets and exchanges. 

Luckily, there’s an easier way. CoinLedger can integrate with all the exchanges and wallets you are using in minutes.

There’s no need to try to find your original cost basis on your own - you’ll have a record of all your crypto transactions on your account. Once you’ve imported your transaction data, you can file your taxes with the click of a button or send the information to your accountant. 

Looking for a stress-free way to manage Bitcoin taxes? 

Interested in joining the 400,000+ other investors using CoinLedger? Try a free preview report - there’s no need to enter your credit card details until you’re 100% sure your transaction history is accurate.

Frequently asked questions

  • MinuPlus
  • MinuPlus
  • MinuPlus
  • MinuPlus
  • MinuPlus
  • MinuPlus
...
Want to try CoinLedger for free? Claim your free preview tax report.

Join 400,000 people instantly calculating their crypto taxes with CoinLedger.

ellipseellipsecalculator

Calculate Your Crypto Taxes

  • Check
    No credit card needed
  • Check
    Instant tax forms
  • Check
    No obligations
Get Started For Free
percent
ellipseellipse