Crypto Tax Research Standards & Editorial Policy | CryptoTaxSentry

1. Our Editorial Mission for Crypto Tax Content

CryptoTaxSentry publishes educational crypto tax research content covering the United States and United Kingdom — grounded entirely in primary IRS and HMRC government sources. Our mission is to explain complex IRS and HMRC crypto tax rules in plain language — grounded entirely in primary government sources — so individual investors can understand their obligations before seeking professional advice.

Crypto tax is a YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) topic. Inaccurate information can lead to real financial harm — underpayment penalties, audit exposure, or missed deductions. We take that responsibility seriously. Every editorial decision on this site is made with accuracy as the first priority, not traffic or search rankings.

2. Who Writes the Crypto Tax Content

All content on CryptoTaxSentry is written by M. Faizan — the site's founder and a web developer with over four years of professional experience. Every guide is researched, written, and reviewed by the same person responsible for the site.

What M. Faizan is

A web developer who reads primary IRS and HMRC source documents directly, cross-references them against authoritative secondary sources, and explains them in plain English. Someone who built a privacy-first crypto tax calculator because existing tools were too expensive and too invasive.

What M. Faizan is not

A Certified Public Accountant, enrolled agent, tax attorney, or UK accountant. This disclosure appears at the top of every guide published on this site. We do not hide it, minimise it, or bury it in fine print. If you need professional tax advice, consult a licensed professional.

3. Our Crypto Tax Research Process — Five Steps, Every Guide

Every crypto tax guide published on CryptoTaxSentry follows the same five-step research process — regardless of how straightforward the topic appears:

Step 1 — Primary sources first, always

Our crypto tax research always begins with the primary government document — we never write about a rule without reading it directly. For US content: IRS notices, revenue procedures, revenue rulings, and the IRS digital asset FAQ pages. For UK content: GOV.UK guidance pages and the HMRC Cryptoassets Manual (CRYPTO10000–CRYPTO40000 series). We read the actual document, not a summary of it.

Step 2 — Specific citations, not vague references

Where we cite a source, we link to the specific IRS notice, HMRC manual page, or GOV.UK guidance document — not just the IRS or HMRC homepage. Every factual claim in every guide is traceable to a specific primary source that readers can verify independently.

Step 3 — Cross-reference for accuracy

After reading the primary source, we cross-reference rate figures and interpretations against the Tax Foundation, major accounting firm publications, and professional CPA resources. This helps identify whether the primary source is unambiguous or whether professionals have differing interpretations of its application.

Step 4 — Flag unsettled areas honestly

Where the IRS or HMRC has not published clear, definitive guidance — such as liquid staking token treatment, certain DeFi transaction classifications, or NFT collectibles status — we say so. We present the conservative position, any alternative interpretation, and the current professional consensus. We do not state uncertain positions as settled facts.

Step 5 — Verify the calculator matches the research

Every factual claim in our written guides is cross-checked against the calculator's actual logic. If a guide says the UK CGT rate is 18% for Basic Rate taxpayers, the calculator must reflect exactly that. When we corrected the UK CGT rates from the pre-October 2024 rates of 10%/20% to the current 18%/24% following the Autumn Budget, we updated both the guides and the calculator simultaneously and documented the change.

4. Primary Sources We Rely On

The following primary sources form the authoritative foundation for all crypto tax content on this site. Secondary sources are used for cross-referencing only — when a secondary source conflicts with a primary source, the primary source governs.

5. Correction Policy

We correct errors promptly and transparently. If you identify a factual error in any guide on CryptoTaxSentry, here is our process:

• Step 1: Email support@cryptotaxsentry.com with the specific claim you believe is incorrect, the URL of the guide, and the primary source that contradicts it.
• Step 2: We review the claim against primary sources within 5 business days.
• Step 3: If the correction is confirmed, we update the guide immediately, add a visible correction note explaining what changed and when, and update the Last Reviewed date.
• Step 4: If the claim is accurate as written, we respond explaining the basis for the original statement and the source that supports it.

6. Content Update Policy

Crypto tax law changes frequently — new IRS notices, HMRC manual updates, Budget announcements, court decisions, and legislative changes can all affect the accuracy of published guides. Our update commitments:

• Annual review: All US guides are reviewed at the start of January. All UK guides are reviewed at the start of April (start of the new UK tax year). Rate tables, thresholds, and allowance figures are verified against current primary sources at each review.
• Immediate updates: When a material rule change affects the accuracy of a published guide, we update within 48 hours of confirming the change from primary sources. We do not wait for the annual review cycle.
• Calculator synchronisation: Guide updates and calculator updates happen simultaneously. If a tax rate changes in a guide, the calculator is updated at the same time.
• Date transparency: Every guide displays a Published date and a Last Updated date. Tax year coverage is stated explicitly so readers can judge how current the information is relative to their own filing situation.

7. What We Do Not Do

• We do not accept payment to feature, recommend, or positively cover any product. No sponsored content, no paid reviews, no affiliate arrangements that influence editorial decisions.
• We do not publish individual tax advice. If you email us asking what you personally owe, we will not answer — that requires a professional who knows your full financial situation.
• We do not guarantee accuracy for your specific situation. Crypto tax outcomes depend on individual circumstances — total income, filing status, all positions, state or local taxes — that no general educational guide can fully account for.
• We do not use AI-generated content published without human research and verification. AI tools may assist with drafting, but every factual claim is independently verified against primary sources by the author before publication.
• We do not link to or promote services that have paid for placement. All internal and external links exist because they serve readers — not because a commercial arrangement placed them there.

8. Advertising Disclosure

CryptoTaxSentry is supported by display advertising served through Google AdSense. This is how the site remains free for all users.

Advertisers have no influence over editorial content. Ad placement does not imply our endorsement of any advertised product, service, or company. The presence of an advertisement on this site does not mean we have reviewed, recommended, or verified the advertised offering.

9. Contact

Questions about our editorial standards, a factual error you've identified, or a source you believe contradicts something we've published:

Email: support@cryptotaxsentry.com

We read and respond to every message personally. Response time is typically 1–2 business days.