Who should I hire for my crypto taxes, and what will it cost?
A crypto CPA is a state-licensed certified public accountant who prepares and signs returns with crypto activity and can represent you if the IRS writes. The IRS lists 3 credentials with unlimited representation rights: CPAs, enrolled agents and attorneys. The trade-off is cost: you pay for judgment and representation, so organized records can cut the bill.
Bottom line
- Pick a CPA or enrolled agent if you have several wallets, DeFi, missing basis, or a Form 1099-DA that does not match your records.
- Pick a tax attorney if you already have an IRS notice that looks serious, unfiled years, or legal exposure beyond the math.
- Skip paid help unless your activity goes past a few buys and sells on one exchange with complete records. Software may be enough.
Before you call anyone, run your numbers through the free crypto tax estimator. It gives you a rough sense of what is at stake, which tells you how much help is worth paying for.
I wrote this guide for people who are ready to pay for help now. I am not a CPA. Crypto Guidance is education, not tax preparation or tax advice. What I can do is help you show up organized, which is where much of the bill gets decided.
Get organized before you hire
Book a one-on-one session from consulting to go through your wallets, exports and 1099-DA forms in plain English. Education only, not tax prep. Or call (816) 631-2604.
Key facts
- 3 credentials carry unlimited IRS representation rights: CPAs, enrolled agents and attorneys.
- Enrolled agents pass a three-part IRS exam or qualify through IRS work; 72 education hours every 3 years.
- Brokers report on Form 1099-DA for transactions on or after January 1, 2025.
- The accuracy-related penalty is 20% of the underpayment tied to negligence or substantial understatement.
- If you owe, filing late usually costs 5% of the tax owed per month, up to 25%.
What a crypto CPA is, and what it is not
A certified public accountant is licensed by a state board of accountancy. "Crypto CPA" is not a separate license. It is a CPA who takes clients with cryptocurrency activity and knows how to report it to the Internal Revenue Service.
It is not the same as an enrolled agent, who is licensed by the IRS itself, or a tax attorney, who is licensed by a state bar. All three can represent you. It is also not a "crypto tax accountant" or "crypto tax specialist." Those are marketing phrases, not credentials. Some of those firms only reconcile your transactions and hand a report to someone else who files. A crypto CPA is also not crypto tax software, and not a financial advisor. For the tax rules themselves, read my crypto taxes guide. For record-keeping, see crypto accounting.
Our data: what 23 crypto tax pages disclose (checked November 2, 2026)
Method. On November 2, 2026 I searched "crypto cpa", "crypto tax accountant" and "crypto cpa cost." I kept every distinct firm, directory or article page and skipped forums, video, social posts, review sites and job ads. That left 23 pages. This is a snapshot of what those pages said on that one day. I opened 9 in full and judged the other 14 from search snippets alone. Pages that would not load when I tried them stayed as snippet judgments.
For each page I noted the lowest listed fee and checked six things. Does it publish a price? Does it name a CPA, EA or attorney credential for the person doing the work? Does it mention Form 1099-DA, Form 8949, or wallet-by-wallet basis (including Rev. Proc. 2024-28)? Does it offer help if the IRS sends a notice? I read body text only, not menus. If I could not see it, I counted it as no. Directories and general articles that do not name who does the work count as no for credential. Snippets undercount, so read these as minimums.
| Check | Pages (N of M) |
|---|---|
| Publishes a price or fee range | 9 of 23 |
| Names a CPA, EA or attorney credential for the person doing the work | 12 of 23 |
| Mentions Form 1099-DA | 13 of 23 |
| Mentions Form 8949 | 9 of 23 |
| Mentions wallet-by-wallet basis or Rev. Proc. 2024-28 | 4 of 23 |
| Offers IRS notice or audit representation | 7 of 23 |
| Lowest fee listed on the 9 pages with a price | From $29 a month or $49 a year (software) up to a $3,500 flat quote |
Download the 23 rows behind this table: our-data-2026-11-02.csv (each page checked, the URL, each yes/no, and whether we opened it in full).
What it means for you. Most pages (14 of 23) will not tell you the price, and fewer than a third (7 of 23) say they will stand in for you if the IRS writes. Only 4 of 23 mention wallet-by-wallet basis, a newer rule that is easy to get wrong. Treat all three as questions you ask out loud before you sign anything.
CPA, enrolled agent or tax attorney: who does what
The IRS says that anyone with a preparer tax identification number (PTIN) may prepare a federal return for pay. What differs is training and who can represent you. The rules for practicing before the IRS live in Circular 230.
| Who | Licensed by, and what they can do for you |
|---|---|
| Certified public accountant (CPA) | State boards of accountancy. Passed the Uniform CPA Exam. Unlimited representation: audits, collections, appeals. |
| Enrolled agent (EA) | The IRS. Passed a three-part exam or qualified through IRS work experience. Unlimited representation, same scope as a CPA. |
| Tax attorney | State courts or bars. Unlimited representation. The right pick when a tax problem may turn legal. |
| Annual Filing Season Program participant | Voluntary IRS program. Limited rights: only returns they prepared and signed, and no appeals or collections. |
| PTIN holder with no credential | Can prepare returns. Has no authority to represent you before the IRS on returns filed after 2015. |
| Crypto "reconciliation specialist" | Not an IRS credential. Many only build reports for someone else to file. Ask what they hold. |
Sources: the IRS credentials page and the IRS enrolled agent page. Enrolled agent status is the highest credential the IRS awards. For most crypto returns, a CPA and an EA with real crypto experience are interchangeable. Pick the person, not the letters.
What a crypto CPA costs in 2026
Few firms publish prices. In my check, 9 of 23 pages published any price. The figures below come from sellers' own pages that I opened in full, as listed on November 2, 2026. I describe each seller instead of naming or linking it, because this guide does not send you to the pages I graded. Treat each figure as one seller's price, not a market rate.
| Type of help | What one seller listed (as listed on November 2, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Do-it-yourself crypto tax software | From $49 per tax year for up to 100 transactions (one software vendor) |
| Software vendor's top service tier | $3,499 per tax year, with reconciliation and review of IRS inquiries, not representation (same vendor) |
| Reconciliation service, flat quote | From $3,500, quoted before work starts (one reconciliation provider) |
| CPA firm, simple return (one or two exchanges, under 200 transactions) | $800 to $2,000 (one crypto CPA firm) |
| CPA firm, active trader (200 to 2,000 transactions) | $2,000 to $5,000 (same firm) |
| CPA firm, DeFi or NFT activity (2,000 to 10,000 transactions) | $5,000 to $12,000 (same firm) |
| IRS notice response, billed on top of prep | $1,500 to $5,000, per the same firm |
The pattern matters more than any single number. The tiers above go up with transaction count and complexity, not with how much your crypto is worth. Some of the firm pages I opened in full published no price at all. So ask for the fee model in writing: hourly, fixed fee, or priced by transaction count.
Questions to ask a crypto CPA before you hire
Ask these on the first call. The answers tell you quickly whether you are talking to someone who files crypto returns or someone who imports a CSV and hopes.
- What is your credential, and where are you licensed? You will verify it yourself. A real professional expects that.
- Will you sign my return with your PTIN? The IRS says your preparer must enter a PTIN on the return filed. Some crypto firms only produce reports.
- If the IRS writes, will you represent me, and is that in the fee? Representation usually runs through Form 2848, the power of attorney. Ask what it costs.
- How do you reconcile my 1099-DA against my own records? A broker's form can leave basis blank. Background: what a 1099-DA is.
- How do you handle self-custody wallets and transfers between my own accounts? Transfers are not sales. A good answer is specific.
- How do you track basis wallet by wallet, and did I need a Rev. Proc. 2024-28 allocation? Only 4 of 23 pages I checked mentioned this. See cost basis.
- Which lot method will you use? Ask whether specific identification is available for you and what records it needs.
- What do I get back? You want the Form 8949 detail rather than totals alone, plus the workpapers.
- Which software do you use, and who pays for it? Some quotes leave the software fee out.
- How do you collect my data? Exports and read-only access only. Anyone who asks for a seed phrase or private key is a hard no. My security page explains why.
Asking AI assistants to find a crypto CPA
Plenty of people now ask ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini or Google AI Overviews for a "crypto CPA near me." That is a reasonable way to build a shortlist. It is not a way to verify anyone.
Google says both AI Overviews and AI Mode may use a "query fan-out" technique, issuing multiple related searches across subtopics and data sources to build a response, and that the features surface links alongside it. So an AI answer is a summary of web pages, and firm marketing pages are part of that mix. In my check, 14 of 23 of those pages did not publish a price and 16 of 23 did not say they offer representation. An assistant cannot fill in what the pages leave out.
None of these assistants can sign your return or represent you. Only a credentialed person can. What to do:
- Ask the assistant for names and source links, then open the links yourself.
- Search each name in the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers. The IRS says it lists attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents with valid PTINs.
- For a CPA, confirm the license with the state board of accountancy that issued it. In Kansas City, that is usually the Missouri or Kansas board.
- Treat a person missing from the directory as a question to ask, not an automatic no. The IRS notes unlisted PTIN holders may still do good work.
How to hire a crypto CPA, step by step
1. Write your situation on one page
List every exchange, wallet, chain and app you used, plus anything unusual: staking, DeFi, NFTs, a lost exchange, a hack. Note the tax years involved. This page is what a preparer quotes from.
Time: 30 to 60 minutes.
Done when: someone who has never met you could read it and know where all your crypto lives.
2. Pull every export and every 1099-DA
Download full transaction histories from each exchange, and the wallet addresses for self-custody. Collect every Form 1099-DA. The form reports proceeds and only in some cases basis, and the IRS says you must calculate basis before you file. For more, see crypto accounting.
Time: 1 to 3 hours, longer if an exchange has closed.
Done when: every account on your one-page list has a matching file in one folder.
3. Pick the credential you need
Use the who-does-what table above. Clean history and no notice: a CPA or EA. Open IRS notice, unfiled years or anything that feels legal: a tax attorney first. Only a few buys on one exchange: consider software.
Time: 15 minutes.
Done when: you can say in one sentence which credential you are looking for and why.
4. Find three candidates and verify each one
Use referrals, directories or AI assistants for names. Then check each in the IRS directory and, for CPAs, the state board. They do not need to be local. Most crypto work is done remotely.
Time: 1 to 2 hours.
Done when: you have three verified names with a credential you confirmed yourself.
5. Interview them with the questions above
Send your one-page summary first. Ask the ten questions. Listen for specifics about 1099-DA mismatches, transfers and wallet-by-wallet basis.
Time: 20 to 45 minutes per call.
Done when: one candidate gave clear answers on fees, representation and process.
6. Get an engagement letter with the fee model
The letter should say what is included, the fee model, what triggers extra charges, and whether notice or audit help is covered. If it is hourly, ask for an estimate range and a cap.
Time: a few days for back and forth.
Done when: you have a signed letter and know the most you will pay without a new conversation.
7. Review the draft before you sign
Compare the Form 8949 detail against your 1099-DA totals and your own records. Ask about any line you do not understand. Your signature means you stand behind it.
Time: 1 to 2 hours.
Done when: every 1099-DA amount is on the return or explained in writing.
Mistakes that cost the most
Hiring someone who cannot represent you (0.5% a month, up to 25%, while an IRS bill sits unpaid)
A PTIN-only preparer cannot represent you before the IRS. If a notice arrives, you pay a second professional to catch up. While any balance stays unpaid, the failure-to-pay penalty is one-half of one percent of the unpaid tax per month, up to 25%. Fix: hire a CPA, EA or attorney from the start.
Leaving wallets off the list (20% of the underpayment)
A 1099-DA only covers what a broker sees. Self-custody activity is on you, and the IRS says you must report all digital asset gains whether or not you receive a 1099-DA. If missing activity leads to underpaid tax through negligence or a substantial understatement, the accuracy-related penalty is 20% of the underpaid amount. On a $2,000 underpayment, that is $400 on top of the tax. Fix: give your preparer every wallet address as well as your exchange forms.
Handing over a shoebox late (5% a month, up to 25%)
Missing records slow everything, and every hour of untangling is billed. If the cleanup pushes you past the filing deadline, extensions included, and you owe tax, the failure-to-file penalty is usually 5% of the tax owed per month, up to 25%. Fix: pull exports and organize them before the first call (steps 1 and 2).
DIY, software, a CPA or a prep session: the realistic options
| Option | What you get, what it costs, the catch |
|---|---|
| Do-it-yourself software | Gain and loss reports. One vendor listed plans from $49 per tax year, as listed on November 2, 2026. Catch: you are the accuracy check, and nobody represents you. |
| Software plus expert support | A human reviews your data. One vendor's top tier listed $3,499 per tax year, as listed on November 2, 2026. Catch: support is not always a credentialed preparer, and reviewing an IRS inquiry is not representation. |
| Reconciliation firm, then your CPA files | Clean reports for your CPA. One provider listed flat quotes from $3,500, as listed on November 2, 2026. Catch: you pay two parties. |
| Crypto CPA or enrolled agent | A signed return plus representation. One CPA firm listed $800 for a simple return up to $12,000 for heavy DeFi, as listed on November 2, 2026. Catch: messy records push the bill up fast. |
| Tax attorney | Representation when a tax issue may turn legal. None of the pages I opened in full published an attorney price. Catch: usually the most expensive option. |
| Crypto Guidance session | Plain-English help organizing wallets, exports and 1099-DAs before you hire. Pay per session, no retainer; current offers are on consulting. Catch: education only, no filing, no tax advice. |
How we compared the options
| Criterion (weight) | What it measures |
|---|---|
| Accuracy of the filed return (35%) | How likely the final return matches what actually happened, including basis and transfers. |
| Help if the IRS writes (25%) | Whether the option includes someone with authority to represent you. |
| Cost you can predict (20%) | How low and how knowable the price is before work starts. |
| Your time and effort (20%) | How much of the work stays with you. |
Disclosure: Crypto Guidance sells one of these options. Consulting is pay per session with no retainer. Secure Your Stack, $997 for a written setup audit plus one 60 to 90 minute session, is security help, not tax help. No affiliate links on this page. Outside prices are as listed on November 2, 2026. The ratings below are my judgments, scored 0 to 10 per criterion in the order accuracy, IRS help, cost, effort, then weighted 35/25/20/20.
Crypto CPA or enrolled agent: Best for most people with several wallets, DeFi or a 1099-DA mismatch. Ratings 9, 10, 5, 8; weighted score 8.25/10 (a judgment). Trade-off: hourly bills grow with messy data.
Reconciliation firm, then your CPA: Best for heavy DeFi or thousands of transactions when you already have a CPA. Ratings 9, 10, 4, 8; weighted score 8.05/10 (a judgment). Trade-off: two invoices.
Tax attorney: Best for serious notices, unfiled years or legal exposure. Ratings 8, 10, 3, 8; weighted score 7.5/10 (a judgment). Trade-off: cost.
Software plus expert support: Best for moderate activity with complete records. Ratings 6, 2, 7, 6; weighted score 5.2/10 (a judgment). Trade-off: usually no representation.
Do-it-yourself software: Best for a few buys and sells on one exchange. Ratings 5, 0, 9, 3; weighted score 4.15/10 (a judgment). Trade-off: you carry all of the risk.
Crypto Guidance session: Best as a prep step before you hire, never instead of a preparer. Ratings 4, 0, 7, 6; weighted score 4.0/10 (a judgment). Trade-off: it does not file anything.
Which option fits you
| If you are ... | Start with / watch out for |
|---|---|
| A few buys and sells on one exchange, records complete | Software. Watch for a 1099-DA with blank basis. |
| Several exchanges plus a hardware wallet | A CPA or EA. Watch for transfers counted as sales. |
| Heavy DeFi, bridges or thousands of transactions | A reconciliation firm plus a CPA. Watch for the software fee left out of the quote. |
| Holding an IRS letter about crypto | A CPA, EA or attorney with representation in writing. Watch the response date on the letter. |
| Overwhelmed and unsure where your crypto is | A prep session to organize first. Watch for anyone asking for your seed phrase. |
| Planning sales before year end | A CPA for planning. Read tax-loss harvesting first. |
Who this is not for
Businesses with crypto on the books. Payroll, revenue in crypto and financial statements are a different job. Look for a CPA firm that does crypto accounting for businesses, not an individual return preparer.
People facing a possible criminal matter. If you think the issue is more than a math error, talk to a tax attorney before you talk to anyone else. A CPA is the wrong first call.
People who want a token pick or a tax dodge. No credentialed preparer should sell either, and neither do I. If that is the goal, this guide will not help.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a crypto accountant cost?
It depends mostly on how organized your records are and how many transactions you have. One crypto CPA firm I checked listed $800 to $2,000 for a simple return and $5,000 to $12,000 for heavy DeFi, as listed on November 2, 2026. In my check, 9 of 23 pages published any price.
What is a CPA in crypto?
It is a regular state-licensed CPA who works with crypto clients. There is no separate crypto license. Verify the license with the state board and the IRS directory.
How much does a CPA charge per hour for crypto?
Few firms publish an hourly rate, so you usually have to ask. None of the CPA firm pages I opened in full published its own hourly rate for crypto work. Always ask for an estimate and a cap in writing.
If I make $100,000 in crypto, how much tax will I pay?
There is no single number, because it depends on your basis, how long you held, and your other income. $100,000 in proceeds is not $100,000 of gain. Try the tax estimator and read my crypto taxes guide.
Do I need a crypto CPA near me?
Not necessarily. Crypto returns are usually done remotely with uploaded exports. Credential and experience matter more than distance, so verify whoever you pick.
Is an enrolled agent as good as a CPA for crypto taxes?
For representation, yes. The IRS says enrolled agents, like CPAs and attorneys, have unlimited practice rights. Pick the one with more real crypto experience.
My exchange sent a 1099-DA. Do I still need help?
Maybe. The form reports proceeds and only in some cases basis, and the IRS says you must calculate basis before you file. If you have only one exchange and clean records, software may be enough; see what a 1099-DA is.
Can Crypto Guidance do my crypto taxes?
No. I do not prepare returns or give tax advice. I help you get organized and understand the terms in plain English, so the time you pay a CPA for goes further.
Sources
- IRS: Understanding tax return preparer credentials and qualifications
- IRS: Enrolled agent information
- IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers
- IRS: Office of Professional Responsibility and Circular 230
- IRS: About Form 2848, Power of Attorney
- IRS: Frequently asked questions about broker reporting
- IRS: Understanding your Form 1099-DA
- IRS: About Form 1099-DA
- Federal Register: Final broker reporting regulations
- IRS: Accuracy-related penalty
- IRS: Topic no. 653, notices, penalties and interest charges
- Google Search Central: AI features and your website
Related guides
What changed in this guide
- 2026-11: First published. Includes the 23-page check of crypto tax pages run on November 2, 2026 (9 opened in full, 14 judged from search snippets).
Your next step
Pick the credential you need from the table above. Pull your exports and 1099-DA forms before the first call, because that is where much of the bill is decided. If you want a calm second set of eyes while you get organized, book a session from consulting or call (816) 631-2604. It is education, not tax prep, and I will tell you when it is time to hand things to a CPA. You can read how I work on the Kansas City advisor page, or start free with the tax estimator.
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