ATO Crypto Record Keeping: What to Keep and for How Long

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The ATO says to keep records of each crypto asset and every transaction, including receipts, dates, the other party, Australian dollar values, exchange and wallet records, and related costs. Its retention rule is 5 years from the later of when records are prepared or obtained, when transactions or acts are complete, or the year the CGT event happens.

The ATO also says records should cover the amendment period for an assessment that uses them, usually 2 or 4 years. That wording matters: the rule isn't simply 5 years from the day you buy.

This guide covers ATO crypto record keeping. For explanations of tax treatment and calculations, see our crypto tax guide. Speak to a registered tax agent about your own situation.

The ATO record checklist

The ATO says each crypto asset is a separate CGT asset. A combined account balance doesn't show the details of every asset and transaction.

The ATO's keeping crypto records page lists the following records. Each checklist item below follows that list.

• Receipts when you buy, transfer or dispose of crypto assets. These document transactions across the time you acquire, move and dispose of an asset.
• The date of each transaction. The date connects the transaction with its AUD value at that time.
• What the transaction is for and who the other party is. The ATO says the other party's crypto asset address can be enough to identify them.
• Exchange records. These form part of the transaction history for assets held or traded through an exchange.
• The value of the crypto asset in Australian dollars at the time of each transaction. Token amounts alone don't provide the AUD values used for tax calculations.
• Records of agent, accountant and legal costs. These document the related costs included in the ATO's record list.
• Digital wallet records and keys. These are part of the ATO's list for assets held in digital wallets.
• Software costs that relate to managing your tax affairs. These document that category of cost separately from the asset transactions.

The list covers more than purchases and sales. It includes transfers and the supporting records behind each transaction. The ATO says records for each asset and transaction are needed to work out a capital gain or loss.

Swaps, wallet transfers, rewards and airdrops

Different transactions leave different records. Their purpose matters alongside the date, asset and AUD value.

Swapping one asset for another

The ATO says swapping crypto held as an investment is a CGT event. A swap involves disposing of the original asset and acquiring another, even without receiving cash.

For record keeping, that means the history includes both the asset given up and the asset received. The ATO's checklist includes what the transaction was for, the other party and the AUD value at the time. Our crypto tax guide explains the calculation separately.

Moving assets between your own wallets

The ATO's receipt list expressly includes transfers. For a move between your own wallets, the relevant records show the date, what the transfer was for and the wallet addresses involved.

Describing it as a transfer between your own wallets makes the purpose clear in the record. The ATO's list also includes digital wallet records and keys. The transaction history follows the asset across its records, rather than ending at the account it left.

Receiving staking rewards or airdrops

For staking rewards, the record includes what the tokens were worth on the day they arrived. That receipt value also matters to a later sale or swap, as explained in our crypto tax guide.

For airdrops, the circumstances of receipt matter. A record of why the assets arrived, including whether they were received for goods or services, preserves that context. The date and value at receipt are also relevant records.

The ATO distinguishes between airdrops received in different circumstances. The ATO's staking rewards and airdrops page covers those distinctions. A registered tax agent can explain how they apply to your situation.

Protecting your transaction history

The ATO says loss of access to an account can mean loss of information. Its tips focus on preserving records while you hold or transact using crypto.

The ATO suggests exporting transaction history regularly and setting a reminder to do so at least every 3 months. It also says to export the complete transaction history before closing an account.

These are separate points. Regular exports preserve the history over time. A complete export before account closure captures the history before access ends.

The ATO also mentions crypto tax calculators, including free and low-cost services that can sync exchange and wallet accounts. We do not review or recommend any crypto tax calculators. No particular service is needed to understand the ATO's record list.

If records have already been lost, the ATO suggests using a blockchain explorer or contacting the exchange's customer service to recreate them. Its checklist identifies the information those recreated records need to account for, including transaction dates, purpose and AUD values.

How long to keep records, and in what format

The ATO says to keep records for 5 years from the later of:

• when you prepare or obtain the records
• when transactions or acts are complete
• the year that the CGT event happens.

The ATO also says to keep records long enough to cover your amendment period, usually 2 or 4 years, for an assessment that uses information from the record.

Both parts belong in the retention rule. The preparation date isn't the only reference point, and the date of a purchase alone doesn't describe the full rule.

For format, the ATO says records must be in English or translatable to English. They must be in writing, but electronic records and paper records are both allowed.

The format rule sits alongside the content requirements. An electronic transaction history still needs the relevant details from the checklist, including AUD values at the time of transactions.

ATO data matching and your own records

The ATO runs a crypto asset data-matching program. It compares what is reported in tax returns with crypto transaction and account data from designated service providers.

That data helps the ATO identify buyers and sellers and quantify transactions. It does not replace your own records for working out each gain or loss.

The ATO describes the program on its page about working out and reporting CGT on crypto. A provider's account data and the supporting records for an individual transaction serve different purposes.

Lost or stolen crypto: evidence of ownership

The ATO says a capital loss for lost or stolen crypto depends on evidence that you owned it. Its examples of evidence include the wallet address, the dates you acquired and lost the key, the cost of the crypto and its value when the key was lost.

Those details connect ownership with the loss. Our scams guide covers where to report a scam. Speak to a registered tax agent about your own circumstances and any possible tax treatment.

Made-up purchase and swap record example

This example shows record fields only. All entries are placeholders, with no real dates, addresses or prices. Asset A and Asset B are fictional labels.

The swap entry describes both assets. The supporting records sit alongside the transaction details; this table isn't a tax calculation or a substitute for the full ATO checklist.

Frequently asked questions

Does every asset need its own records?

The ATO says to keep details for each crypto asset because each is a separate CGT asset, including when several assets share a wallet.

Is a wallet address enough to identify the other party?

Yes. The ATO says the other party's crypto asset address can identify them in the transaction record.

Are paper records allowed?

Yes. The ATO allows electronic or paper records. It says records must be in writing and in English or translatable to English.

What if I close an exchange account?

The ATO says to export the complete transaction history before closing an account. Its regular export tip also applies while the account is in use.

Can the ATO's data replace my transaction history?

No. Data matching doesn't replace your own records. The ATO says to keep records of each asset and every transaction to work out gains or losses.