Kraken Tax Forms 2026 – Complete Guide to Crypto Tax Reporting

Kraken is one of the oldest and most reputable US crypto exchanges. Here is how to get your Kraken tax documents and report your transactions to the IRS.

Does Kraken Send 1099 Forms?

Kraken issues 1099-MISC forms to US customers who earned more than $600 in staking rewards or other income. Starting with the 2025 tax year, Kraken and other brokers are required to issue 1099-DA forms reporting crypto sales, though implementation timelines continue to evolve with IRS guidance.

Even if Kraken does not send you a 1099, you are still legally required to report all taxable crypto transactions to the IRS.

How to Export Your Kraken Transaction History

Log into your Kraken account and navigate to History → Export. You can export your complete ledger history as a CSV file. Choose the full date range to capture all transactions. Kraken provides separate exports for trades, ledger entries, and deposits/withdrawals.

What Kraken Reports Are Available

• Trades export: All buy and sell orders with timestamp, pair, volume, price, and fees
• Ledger export: All deposits, withdrawals, staking rewards, and transfers
• Tax forms: If Kraken issues you a 1099, it will appear under Account → Tax Forms

Calculating Cost Basis from Kraken Data

Kraken's CSV export gives you the raw data. You still need to calculate cost basis, match buys to sells, and apply your chosen method (FIFO, HIFO, or Specific ID). Import your Kraken CSV into crypto tax software to automate this process and generate IRS-compliant Form 8949.

Kraken Staking Taxes

Kraken offers staking for ETH, DOT, ADA, and other assets. Staking rewards are taxable as ordinary income when received, at their USD fair market value. Report them on Schedule 1 as "Other Income." The value also becomes your cost basis for those staking rewards when you later sell them.

Kraken Futures and Margin Trading

If you use Kraken's futures or margin trading products (available to eligible US customers), the tax treatment differs from spot trading. Regulated futures contracts (Section 1256 contracts) receive special "60/40" treatment: 60% long-term, 40% short-term regardless of holding period. Consult a tax professional for complex derivatives.

Kraken and the IRS

In 2023, the IRS obtained a court order requiring Kraken to provide user data for users with over $20,000 in transactions between 2016 and 2020. This type of enforcement action demonstrates that crypto exchanges can and do share data with tax authorities. Accurate and complete reporting is essential.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. For individual tax advice, consult a licensed tax professional.