Key Takeaways
- Kraken is registered with AUSTRAC and must comply with Australian AML/CTF laws.
- Transfers between Kraken and wallets like Trust Wallet or MetaMask can be traced and matched to your identity.
Cryptocurrency exchanges around the world are starting to report more and more information to government agencies. In this guide, we analyze Kraken’s tax reporting policies within Australia. We’ll also break down a simple way to report your Kraken taxes in minutes.
What Is Kraken?
Kraken is a centralized cryptocurrency exchange that supports AUD deposits and trading for Australian investors. To comply with AUSTRAC rules, Kraken requires Know your Customer (KYC) verification from all Australian users.
Does Kraken report to the ATO?
The ATO runs a crypto data matching program that collects account and transaction information from Australian-registered exchanges like Kraken. If you use Kraken, your activity is likely already visible to the ATO through this program.
Do I have to pay taxes on my Kraken transactions?
Yes. Crypto activity on Kraken is subject to tax.
- Capital gains. Selling, swapping, or spending crypto is subject to capital gains tax (CGT). Holding assets for more than 12 months before disposing qualifies you for a 50% CGT discount.
- Ordinary income. Staking rewards, airdrops, and referral bonuses are taxed as income when received.
In Australia, you are not taxed when you transfer crypto between wallets you own. For example, there is no tax when you transfer crypto from Kraken to a custodial wallet.
Does Kraken have KYC?
Yes. All Australian users must complete KYC verification to use Kraken.
Is Kraken legal in Australia?
Yes. Kraken operates legally in Australia and is registered with AUSTRAC.
How do I avoid Kraken taxes in Australia?
You cannot legally evade your taxes. However, there are steps Australian investors can take to reduce their tax bill:
Tax-loss harvesting. By selling crypto at a loss, you can offset your capital gains and potentially lower your tax bill by thousands of dollars.
Using cryptocurrency tax software. Crypto tax software like CoinLedger can help you track Kraken transactions and help you find your biggest tax-saving opportunities.
Get a Kraken tax report today
Looking for a simple way to report your Kraken taxes? With CoinLedger, you can import your Kraken transactions and auto-generate a complete gains, losses, and income tax report in minutes.
CoinLedger integrates with Kraken and dozens of other wallets, blockchains, and cryptocurrency exchanges to automate the entire crypto tax reporting process.
You can get started with a free preview report today.