Due to some restrictions imposed by certain exchanges and blockchains with the way they record the transactions, there are instances when the Crypto Tax Calculator platform may be unable to interpret complex trading data like margins, futures, and derivatives. If you find yourself in a situation like this, you can still import this data with relatively easy manual intervention. This step-by-step guide will show you how to add this data via our Advanced Manual CSV Template (for when you have many transactions) or Add Transaction Module (for when you have a few transactions), illustrated with two examples of a futures trade where a profit was made and a loss incurred.
Crypto Tax Calculator treats margin, futures, and derivatives trading as realized profits and losses. This means that instead of manually entering the transaction details, you only input the actual profit or loss values generated by your trades. This is because, with these types of trades, you're essentially using funds that saterialize out of thin air, are borrowed, and were never genuinely acquired initially, as would typically establish a cost base. Once calculated, these figures will then be placed in your Derivatives Trading Report. You can read more on the Derivatives Trading Report here.
Using the Advanced CSV Template Method
Download the advanced template and follow the below examples to fill out your CSV.
Trade Example #1 (Profit)
"I traded on Bybit Exchange. I went long on an ETH/USDC pair, leveraged at 10x, and made a profit of 1000 USDC on the 10th December 2022 @ 10:36:43 AM, paying a margin fee of 4 USDC. How can I go about getting this data into Crypto Tax Calculator?"
A screenshot of the CSV for this example is attached below (click on the image to zoom in).
For this trade, you should have two transactions:
realized-profit
margin-fee
You can view the complete list of types applicable for the Advanced CSV Template here.
Do NOT delete columns even if no information is required to be put in. This will also cause the file to have a parsing error.
Column | Explanation |
Timestamp | We recommend using the format of YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS |
Type | There should be one row for the 'realized-profit' and one row for the 'margin-fee' transaction. |
Base Currency | The currency in which you have made a profit and the currency you paid the margin fee with. |
Base Amount | The amount in which you have made a profit |
Quote Currency | Leave blank as it doesn't apply to such trading type. |
Quote Amount | Leave blank as it doesn't apply to such trading type. |
Fee Currency | Leave blank as the margin fee is recorded separately. |
Fee Amount | Leave blank as the margin fee is recorded separately. |
From | You trade in your Bybit account. |
To | You trade in your Bybit account. |
Blockchain | This can also be left blank as you're not trading on a blockchain if done via an exchange. If the trading was performed on a decentralized exchange (for example, a dApp running on the Ethereum Network), then you would enter ETH. |
ID | This is optional. |
Description | This is optional. However, you could write something like 'Longed ETH/USDC 10x'. These comments will later be shown in your final reports for clear record-keeping and understanding. |
Reference Price Per Unit | Leave blank as it doesn't apply to such trading type. |
Reference Price Currency | Leave blank as it doesn't apply to such trading type. |
Trade Example #2 (Loss)
"I traded on Bybit Exchange. I went long on an ETH/USDC pair, leveraged at 10x and made a loss of 1000 USDT on the 10th December 2022 @ 10:36:43 AM, paying a margin fee of 6 USDT. How can I go about getting this data into Crypto Tax Calculator?"
A screenshot of the CSV for this example is attached below (click on the image to zoom in).
For this trade, you should have two transactions:
realized-loss
margin-fee
You can view the full list of types applicable for the Advanced CSV Template here.
Do NOT delete columns even if no information is required to be put in. This will also cause the file to have a parsing error.
Column | Explanation |
Timestamp | We recommend using the format of YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS |
Type | There should be one row for the 'realized-loss' and one row for the 'margin-fee'. |
Base Currency | The currency in which you have made a loss and the currency you paid the margin fee with. |
Base Amount | The amount in which you have made a loss |
Quote Currency | Leave blank as it doesn't apply to such trading type. |
Quote Amount | Leave blank as it doesn't apply to such trading type. |
Fee Currency | Leave blank as the margin fee is recorded separately. |
Fee Amount | Leave blank as the margin fee is recorded separately. |
From | You trade in your Bybit account. |
To | You trade in your Bybit account. |
Blockchain | This can also be left blank as you're not trading on a blockchain if done via an exchange. If the trading was performed on a decentralized exchange (for example, a dApp running on the Ethereum Network), then you would enter ETH. |
ID | This is optional. |
Description | This is optional. However, you could write something like 'Longed ETH/USDC 10x'. These comments will later be shown in your final reports for clear record-keeping and understanding. |
Reference Price Per Unit | Leave blank as it doesn't apply to such trading type. |
Reference Price Currency | Leave blank as it doesn't apply to such trading type. |
You can read more about the advanced manual CSV here.
Using the + Add Transaction Feature
Alternatively, you can enter this same data using '+Add Transaction (very handy and commonly used if you only need to import a single/handful of transactions.) We will use the same Trade Example #1 (Profit) to illustrate below;
1) Navigate to the 'Transactions' Tab found at the top of your Crypto Tax Calculator Account > followed by navigating to the upper right side '+ Add Transaction';
2) Now, as we're only calculating the singular realized profit/loss, use the 'Other' category;
3) Ensure you fill in ALL fields;
Timestamp - Ensure this is in YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS format.
Category - Select 'Realized Profit'.
Currency - The currency in which profit was made.
Quantity - The quantity/amount of profit made.
Price - This next step is IMPORTANT - please make sure you click the 'refresh icon' to pull in the market price of the chosen currency in order to be able to proceed to the next step (this, in turn, will auto-calculate the value);
4) Select or enter your Source and Destination;
Source - the source in which the trade occurred, in this case, ‘Bybit’.
Destination - the destination in which trade was finalized, in this case, ‘Bybit’.
5) Leave 'Fee (Optional)' blank and select 'Add Transaction'.
6) Repeat steps 1 to 5 to add the margin fee transaction.
7) Once you've added this manual transaction, you will notice a small pop-up appear on the bottom left of your screen. You can view the transaction just created by clicking 'View', and will look like the screenshot attached further below showing you've made a realized profit of 1000 USDC. This is auto-converted to the native fiat currency of your chosen country (this example is in Australia, hence 1000 USDC = approximately AUD$1473);
'Margin Fee' and 'Fee'
What are the differences between the margin fee and the fee, and why don't we add the margin fee as a fee in the realized loss/profit transactions?
| Margin fee | Fee |
Meaning | Represents a fee or interest paid to maintain an open loan position. This can be associated with margin, futures, CFD, derivates, etc. types of trades, as well as standard loans. | It could be a trading fee that the exchange charges you for a trade or a gas fee when you make a transaction on a blockchain. |
Frequency | Typically charged continuously (daily, hourly, etc.) for as long as the borrowed funds are in use. | Usually happens once at the time the transaction is executed. |
Also known as | Loan fee | Gas fee / Trading fee |
Can be added as a standalone transaction in CTC | Yes | Yes |
Can be part of another transaction in CTC | No | Yes |
CTC report |
If you are trading margin, the fees incurred are most likely margin fees. Yet, cryptocurrency trading allows for a variety of approaches. It's important to verify the purpose of these fees and categorize them accurately. If there's any uncertainty, we suggest you consult with local tax experts to get tailored advice for your specific circumstances.
Still Need Further Support?
As always, if encounter any troubles, please don't hesitate to reach out In-App via the chat box found at the bottom right of your screen to chat with our support specialists 😊