Why is the cost basis blank on my 2025 Form 1099-DA?

For 2025, crypto brokers generally had to report your gross proceeds but were not required to report cost basis to the IRS. A blank or noncovered basis is the normal 2025 state, especially for assets acquired before 2026 or transferred in. It does not mean the form is wrong.

What is the difference between Box 1g, Box 2, and Box 9?

Box 1g is the cost-basis figure displayed on your copy. Box 2 is whether basis was reported to the IRS. Box 9 is whether the asset is a noncovered security. The IRS can receive proceeds only even when your copy shows a basis figure, so the boxes that drive 2025 notice risk are Box 2 and Box 9, not Box 1g.

Does a basis number on my copy mean the IRS received it?

No. For 2025, several platforms show a basis or gain-and-loss figure on the customer copy or substitute statement that was not sent to the IRS. Check Box 2 and Box 9 to see what actually reached the IRS.

Is my 1099-DA wrong if the basis is blank?

No. A blank or noncovered basis is normal for 2025. The one exception is an affirmatively reported $0 basis on an asset you actually paid for. The instructions tell brokers to report $0 only when the asset truly had zero basis, so a reported $0 against a real purchase is a broker error you can ask to have corrected.

What does Code Y mean on my 1099-DA?

Code Y in the 'Applicable Checkbox on Form 8949' box means the broker could not tell whether you should use box H or box K because the holding period is unknown. Code Y is about holding period, not about whether basis was reported.

How do I report a noncovered crypto sale on Form 8949?

Use box H for short-term or box K for long-term: enter proceeds in column (d) and your correct basis in column (e). No adjustment code is needed just to supply the missing basis. Adjustment Code B is only for when basis was reported to the IRS and is incorrect.

I already filed with a blank or zero basis. What now?

If your return does not reflect the basis you actually paid, the fix is usually an amended return (Form 1040-X). If you received a CP2000, that is a proposed change and not a bill; it is answered with your records, not ignored.

1099-DA Transfer-Gap Self-Check

The short version: For 2025, brokers must report your gross proceeds but were not required to report cost basis. Required cost-basis reporting phases in only for digital assets acquired on or after January 1, 2026, so most 2025 Forms 1099-DA leave Box 1g (cost basis) blank. On the official form, a Box 1g entry (even $0) means basis was reported to the IRS and Box 2 is checked. But some brokers issue substitute statements showing a customer-only basis figure that was never sent to the IRS. This tool keys on Box 2 (basis reported) and Box 9 (noncovered) to confirm what the IRS actually received, not a figure a statement displays. Basis is usually missing for noncovered assets: those acquired before 2026 or transferred in.

Educational self-check, not tax advice.

Nothing here is tax, legal, or accounting advice, no answer can be relied on to prepare or file a return, and using it does not create a CPA-client relationship. It is built for individual investors, not for businesses, traders in a trade or business, partnerships, corporations, mining or staking businesses, or tax-exempt entities. Everything is computed in your browser and nothing you enter is sent anywhere or stored.

Total 2025 crypto sale proceeds (Box 1f)

Enter sales only. Moving crypto between your own wallets is not a sale.

Find Box 2 and Box 9 on your form

Sample only. Find Box 2 (was basis reported to the IRS?) and Box 9(noncovered) on your own form and substitute statement. A basis figure on a substitute statement is not always the basis the IRS received. The “Applicable Checkbox on Form 8949” box may show Code Y, which means the holding period is unknown, not that basis is missing.

Does your 1099-DA show that cost basis was reported to the IRS?

Look at Box 2 (basis reported to the IRS) and Box 9 (noncovered, meaning the broker generally is not required to report basis, usually because you acquired it before 2026 or transferred it in, though it may report basis voluntarily). On the official form a Box 1g figure means basis was reported, but a basis figure on a substitute statement may not have reached the IRS, so Box 2 and Box 9 are what confirm it.

Box 2 is checked - basis was reported to the IRSBox 9 is checked / noncovered / not reportedA number shows, but I can't tell if the IRS got itNot sure / I can't find these boxes

Was any crypto you sold inherited, gifted, earned, or swapped?

Staking, rewards, airdrops, forks, or trading one crypto for another all count, as does inherited or gifted crypto.

Yes, some, or not sure (inherited / gifted / staked / airdrop / fork / crypto-for-crypto)No - I bought all of it with cash

Optional: your best estimate of what you paid for the units you sold

In dollars. Include acquisition fees. Do not include coins you still hold. Sold only some? Enter only that portion. Leave blank if you do not know.

Which exchanges or wallets did you use?

Select all that apply.

Did you transfer crypto in, or self-custody it?

NoSomeYes, a lot

Did you hold any crypto before 2026?

NoSomeYes, most

I am a New Jersey resident (adds NJ context, no NJ figure is computed)My broker issued a corrected 1099-DA

Does the “Applicable Checkbox on Form 8949” box show a code?

I understand this is an illustrative self-check, not tax advice, that no result can be relied on to prepare or file a return, and that using it does not create a CPA-client relationship.

Educational self-check, not tax advice.

Total 2025 crypto sale proceeds (Box 1f)

Enter sales only. Moving crypto between your own wallets is not a sale.

Find Box 2 and Box 9 on your form

Does your 1099-DA show that cost basis was reported to the IRS?

Box 2 is checked - basis was reported to the IRSBox 9 is checked / noncovered / not reportedA number shows, but I can't tell if the IRS got itNot sure / I can't find these boxes

Was any crypto you sold inherited, gifted, earned, or swapped?

Staking, rewards, airdrops, forks, or trading one crypto for another all count, as does inherited or gifted crypto.

Yes, some, or not sure (inherited / gifted / staked / airdrop / fork / crypto-for-crypto)No - I bought all of it with cash

Optional: your best estimate of what you paid for the units you sold

In dollars. Include acquisition fees. Do not include coins you still hold. Sold only some? Enter only that portion. Leave blank if you do not know.

Which exchanges or wallets did you use?

Select all that apply.

Did you transfer crypto in, or self-custody it?

NoSomeYes, a lot

Did you hold any crypto before 2026?

NoSomeYes, most

I am a New Jersey resident (adds NJ context, no NJ figure is computed)My broker issued a corrected 1099-DA

Does the “Applicable Checkbox on Form 8949” box show a code?

I understand this is an illustrative self-check, not tax advice, that no result can be relied on to prepare or file a return, and that using it does not create a CPA-client relationship.

1099-DA Transfer-Gap Self-Check

Check whether your 1099-DA reported basis to the IRS

Want a CPA to reconcile your 1099-DA basis?

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Want a CPA to reconcile your 1099-DA basis?

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