The complexity of crypto asset reporting will increase significantly for the 2026 tax season

Several digital asset tax experts have pointed out that the 2026 (for the 2025 tax year) tax season will become significantly more complicated due to new regulations. Starting in 2025, U.S. brokers will be required to submit crypto asset disposition information to the IRS, and Form 1099-DA will be widely used for the first time in 2026. Initial filings may default to "zero cost," so investors will need to accurately report their own cost basis. Tax calculations will be done separately for each wallet and account, making the task of organizing historical transaction records enormous, especially for users with multiple accounts and those who frequently participate in DeFi. Other important considerations include: consolidating data from multiple platforms, booking appointments with crypto tax experts, paying attention to legislative changes, and compliance assessment reports. Industry insiders describe 2025 as a "watershed" year for crypto tax rules, with the impact expected to become fully apparent in 2026.