Crypto in the tax return: step by step
All coins must go under wealth, income under income. Here's how to fill it in.
Want the overview first? What's tax-free and what isn't is on the overview page.What you need
Before filling in your tax return, gather three things: the holdings on every exchange and wallet as of 31 December, the prices in francs for that date, and a list of the year's income. Preparing this early saves you stress in March.
Declaring crypto in five steps
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Record holdings as of 31 December
Note the amount of each cryptocurrency on every exchange and every wallet, including self-custody and stablecoins. Small holdings count too. There is no minimum threshold for declaring them.
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Determine the tax value
The tax authority publishes official tax values each year for the best-known coins, including Bitcoin and Ether, in the price list at ictax.admin.ch. If your coin isn't listed, use the year-end price from your trading platform or another documented market value in francs.
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Add up the year's income
Staking, mining, lending interest and similar rewards are income. Value each receipt at the price on the day you gained the claim to it, and total the amounts per cryptocurrency.
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Enter it in the securities register
Depending on the canton, you enter the holding under other capital investments or as cryptocurrency in the securities register. The income is added as investment income. For many coins you can upload a separate list. Your canton's guidance shows the right place.
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Keep records
Save transaction history, prices and screenshots of your holdings. If questioned, you need to be able to prove origin and timing. Without evidence, the tax authority can make a flat-rate assessment.
An example with sample figures
The figures are made up. Whether and how much wealth tax results depends on your canton's allowance and your other wealth. Any capital gain you may have made on the Bitcoin plays no role here.
If you've realised gains
As a private investor you don't need to declare realised gains, as long as you don't count as a commercial trader. Check the five criteria on the page Crypto and taxes. Anyone who trades frequently should review them every year and keep clean trading records.
Common mistakes
Crypto not declared at all
Anyone who conceals holdings risks back taxes and fines. Tax authorities are increasingly receiving data from crypto providers.
Assuming staking and mining are tax-free
Only capital gains are tax-free. Income from staking, mining or lending is taxable.
Self-custodied coins forgotten
Coins on your own wallet also belong in the tax return. An overview of wallets and holdings is generally enough.
No records kept
Without transaction history it's hard to later prove where coins came from. Keep the data, even if an exchange shuts down.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to declare every purchase and sale?
No. For wealth tax, the holding as of 31 December counts. You don't need to list individual purchases and sales, but you should be able to document them.
Can I deduct crypto losses?
No. As with stocks, for private assets: gains are tax-free, losses are not deductible.
Do crypto tax tools help?
They can import transactions and produce an overview. Still check the result, since the figures come from your own data.
Official background is available in the Federal Tax Administration's working papers and your canton's guidance, for example the Canton of St. Gallen.