How to export your Kraken history
Kraken's export is now under Documents, not History. You need the complete Ledger export, not just the current year, so the calculator can build accurate cost basis queues from your earliest purchases.
- Log in to kraken.com.
- Click your profile icon (top right) and select Documents.
- Click Create Export.
- Select Ledger as the export type.
- Set the date range from account opening to today, not just the tax year.
- Ensure the format is CSV, then click Generate.
- Download when ready - the file downloads as a CSV.
- Upload the CSV directly to the calculator.
The Ledger export includes spot trades, staking rewards, deposits, withdrawals, and margin entries - all linked by reference IDs (refid). The Trades format is also supported. We auto-detect which format you uploaded.
Kraken and your US tax obligations
Beginning with tax year 2025, Kraken may issue Form 1099-DA to eligible US users with reportable digital asset disposals. For 2025, the form generally reports gross proceeds only - not your cost basis or capital gain. You are still responsible for calculating your own gains and losses and reporting them on Form 8949 and Schedule D. A 1099-DA is evidence, not the complete tax result, and receiving one does not reduce your reconciliation obligations.
- Default lot matching: FIFO applies when no adequate specific identification was made. IRS Notice 2026-20 extends temporary relief through December 31, 2026 for qualifying broker-held units: identification may be recorded contemporaneously in the taxpayer's books and records or by recorded standing order. The relief does not apply to self-custodied units and does not remove wallet/account-specific basis rules.
- Tax forms: Report each disposal on Form 8949, summarize on Schedule D. For 2025 returns, nonbusiness staking income generally goes on Schedule 1 (line 8v); use Schedule C only if the activity rises to the level of a trade or business.
- Filing deadline: April 15. Extensions available until October 15, but any tax owed is still due by April 15.
- Capital loss limit: Net capital losses are deductible up to $3,000 per year ($1,500 if married filing separately). Excess carries forward indefinitely.
- Long-term rates: Crypto held more than one year qualifies for 0%, 15%, or 20% long-term capital gains rates depending on taxable income. Assets held one year or less are taxed at ordinary income rates (10% to 37%).
- Wash sale rule: As of 2025, the wash sale rule does not apply to crypto. Our calculator does not apply wash sale adjustments.
What the report covers
The calculator parses Kraken's Ledger and Trades formats, auto-detecting which you uploaded. For the Ledger format, individual debit and credit entries are paired by reference ID (refid) to reconstruct complete trades. The two-pass FIFO engine uses your complete history - including prior years - to build accurate cost basis queues.
For each disposal in your selected tax year, the report calculates cost basis, proceeds, gain or loss, and holding period - separating short-term (one year or less) from long-term (more than one year). Staking rewards are tracked as ordinary income at fair market value on the date received.
The paid report includes a Form 8949 filing table, income summary, top assets by P&L, end-of-year holdings with cost basis, and a complete transaction audit trail. A step-by-step filing guide tells you exactly which numbers go on which IRS forms.
Staking history and cost basis gaps
- US staking shutdown: In February 2023, Kraken settled with the SEC and shut down its US staking-as-a-service program. Historical staking income earned before the shutdown still needs to be reported as ordinary income in the year received.
- Historical staking rewards: Kraken staking rewards earned before February 2023 are taxable as ordinary income at fair market value on the date received. When you later sell the staked tokens, the gain above that initial value is a capital gain. Our calculator identifies and values all staking entries in your Ledger export.
- Cost basis gaps: Crypto transferred into Kraken from other exchanges or wallets has no cost basis in Kraken's records. Our calculator applies the FIFO queue from your full uploaded history. For the most accurate results, upload your complete transaction history from your first Kraken trade.
- Automatic price enrichment: Kraken CSVs do not always include USD spot prices for every transaction. Our engine enriches every transaction with historical daily prices so your cost basis is accurate.
Related calculators and guides
Kraken calculator: Kraken Tax Calculator (all countries)
US calculator: US Crypto Tax Calculator (all exchanges)
Other exchanges in the US:
Coinbase US ·
Binance US