Crypto Investor Action Plan (Australia 2025-26)
Pick your stage (holding, DeFi+staking, or disposal), enter your numbers, and we'll rank the crypto investor decisions that apply to you — ordered by dollar impact x deadline urgency. 13 levers cover the 12-month CGT discount, hard-fork tokens, lost keys, NFT classification, airdrop cost base, staking categorisation, DeFi yields, LP token disposals, wrapped tokens, capital loss harvest, crypto-to-crypto trades, charitable DGR donations, and trader vs investor classification. Each lever links to the crypto tax calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is crypto-to-crypto trading a tax event in Australia?
Yes. Every crypto-to-crypto swap (e.g. ETH → BTC) is a disposal of the first token AND an acquisition of the second, BOTH at AUD-FMV at the time. There is NO like-kind exemption (unlike pre-2018 US rules). Many Australian crypto traders miss this and end up with large unreported gains. Use the crypto tax calculator to model swaps.
How are staking rewards taxed?
Staking rewards are ordinary income at receipt — you include the AUD market value at the day you received them in your assessable income. THEN, when you later sell those tokens, a SEPARATE CGT event fires using the FMV-at-receipt as the cost base. So you get two events: ordinary income at receipt + capital gain/loss at disposal.
What is the 50% CGT discount for crypto?
Australian individuals get a 50% discount on capital gains from CGT assets held for at least 12 months. Crypto qualifies as a CGT asset. Hold each parcel ≥ 12mo from acquisition (airdrops + staking rewards each have their own clock from receipt date). The 50% discount halves your taxable gain. Use the crypto tax calculator to model holding scenarios.
How are wrapped tokens taxed?
Per the ATO's 2026 web guidance, a 1:1 wrap (BTC → WBTC, ETH → WETH at fixed parity) is NOT a disposal — beneficial ownership is unchanged, the cost base + holding period carry over to the wrapped token. Adjustable-rate wraps (e.g. ETH → stETH, where the rate compounds) ARE disposals. Distinguish carefully.
What happens if I lose my private keys?
If you can prove the loss is permanent (lost seed phrase, hard drive failure with no backups, or theft with police report), you may claim a capital loss in the FY of the loss event. ATO requires "objective evidence" — wallet address + balance pre-loss + date + impossibility of recovery. The capital loss can offset capital gains in the same FY (or carry forward indefinitely).
Are NFT gains taxable?
NFTs are typically CGT assets. A capital gain on disposal is taxable, with the 50% discount available if held ≥ 12mo. NFTs acquired for ≤ $10,000 for personal use (e.g. profile picture art) MAY qualify as personal-use assets — gains exempt under s 118-10. ATO has signalled scepticism of "personal use" claims for high-priced collectibles, so document the use-purpose at acquisition.
Tax Accuracy & Sources
This calculator is an estimate tool and may not cover all personal circumstances. For state-based taxes, confirm details with your state or territory revenue office.