KuCoin Tax Reporting Canada: The Complete Guide 2026

How to Export KuCoin Transaction History for Canadian Taxes

A step-by-step guide to generating API keys and exporting CSV files from KuCoin for CRA tax reporting.

1. Method 1: API (Auto-Sync)

   The most accurate method that automatically pulls spot, margin, and futures trading history into Canadian tax software.

2. Method 2: CSV Export

   A manual backup method required if you have transaction history older than one year or closed accounts.

Let’s be honest, dealing with crypto taxes is never fun. But dealing with KuCoin tax reporting in Canada brings a specific kind of headache. Between the complex account structures—splitting assets between Main, Trading, and Futures accounts—and the regulatory changes regarding KuCoin’s status in provinces like Ontario, getting your data straight for the CRA can feel impossible.

If you are worried about an audit or just trying to figure out how to get tax documents from KuCoin, you are in the right place. This guide cuts through the noise. We will look at how to extract your transaction history safely, why Excel sheets usually fail for Canadian taxes, and how to handle the Adjusted Cost Base rules that the CRA demands.

Does KuCoin Report to the CRA?

This is the most common question Canadian investors ask. Currently, KuCoin is a foreign-based exchange. Unlike Canadian-registered platforms like Wealthsimple or Shakepay, KuCoin does not automatically mail you a T5008 form (Statement of Securities Transactions) at the end of the year.

However, do not mistake a lack of paperwork for a lack of obligation. The CRA requires you to report all crypto dispositions (sales, trades, or uses of crypto) regardless of where the exchange is located.

The T1135 Reporting Requirement

There is another layer here specific to Canada. Because KuCoin holds your assets outside of Canada, these may be considered “Specified Foreign Property.” If the total cost amount of your foreign property (including crypto on foreign exchanges like KuCoin) exceeded $100,000 CAD at any time during the year, you must file Form T1135 with your tax return. Failing to file this can result in severe penalties, even if you did not make a profit.

Method 1: Connecting via API (The Easy Way)

For most users, using an API is the best way to handle KuCoin export transaction history CSV limitations. It allows your tax software to “read” your history directly. Here is how to set it up securely without giving anyone access to withdraw your funds.

1. Log in to your KuCoin account and hover over your profile icon.
2. Select API Management from the dropdown menu.
3. Click Create API.
4. Give your key a name (e.g., “Tax Software 2026”).
5. Create an “API Passphrase” (you will need this later, so write it down).
6. Under “API Restrictions,” strictly select General (Read-Only). Do not select “Trade” or “Transfer.”
7. Select No for IP Restriction unless your tax software provides specific IP addresses to whitelist.
8. Complete the security verification (Email code, 2FA, etc.).
9. Copy your API Key and Secret Key immediately. KuCoin will not show the Secret Key again.

Once you have these keys, you can paste them into your preferred Canadian crypto tax calculator. This usually syncs your spot trades, margin trades, and staking rewards automatically.

Method 2: Exporting KuCoin CSV History

If the API fails, or if you have a very old account, you may need to grab the raw files. KuCoin tax reporting Canada often relies on this method for data older than one year, as the API sometimes struggles with historical depth.

Step-by-Step Export

1. Go to Orders in the top menu.
2. Select Spot Orders (you will also need to do this for Margin, Futures, and Earn individually if you used those features).
3. Click on Trade History in the sidebar.
4. Look for the Export CSV button in the top right.
5. Select your date range. Note: KuCoin often limits exports to 100-day or 1-year chunks. You may need to generate multiple files (e.g., “Jan-Mar”, “Apr-Jun”).
6. Click Confirm.
7. Go to Account > Download CSV to actually download the generated file.

Warning: The file generation is not instant. It can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours depending on server load.

Common KuCoin Import Errors (Troubleshooting)

When you import your KuCoin data into tax software, you might see big red warning signs. Here are the usual suspects and how to fix them.

1. “Missing Purchase History”

This happens when you sell a coin (like USDT) that the software doesn’t see you buying. On KuCoin, this is often caused by deposits that weren’t recorded or internal transfers. If you moved funds from your “Main Account” to your “Trading Account,” the software might think you are sending money away. Ensure you classify these internal movements as “Transfers” and not “Withdrawals.”

2. The “Dust” Issue

If you used the “Convert to KCS” feature to sweep small balances, this is a taxable event. Many users forget this. The KuCoin API key for tax software usually picks this up, but if you are using CSVs, you might need to find a specific “Dust Log” or “Other Records” file to account for these micro-trades.

3. Staking and Lending Rewards

Rewards from KuCoin Earn are considered income by the CRA, distinct from capital gains. Sometimes the standard trade history CSV misses these income payouts. You may need to navigate to the “Earn” section specifically to download a history of interest payments to ensure you report your full income.

Canadian Specifics: ACB vs. FIFO

If you are trying to do this manually in Excel, you need to be very careful. Most of the internet (and simple spreadsheet templates) operates on FIFO (First-In, First-Out). This means selling the oldest coins you bought first.

Canada does not use FIFO.

The CRA requires you to use ACB (Adjusted Cost Base). This is a running average of the cost of your assets.

• Example: If you bought 1 BTC at $10k, and another 1 BTC at $50k, your cost basis for any sale is the average ($30k).
• The KuCoin Complexity: The ACB applies to your entire portfolio across all wallets. If you bought Bitcoin on Shakepay and more Bitcoin on KuCoin, you must pool them together to calculate the correct cost base.

This is why raw CSV files in Excel are dangerous for Canadian filers. They rarely account for the external holdings that affect your KuCoin calculation. Using a dedicated tax calculator that supports Canada’s specific rules is usually the only way to avoid calculation errors.

Conclusion

KuCoin tax reporting in Canada is more involved than using a local exchange, but it is manageable. The key is gathering your data early. Whether you use the API to auto-sync or manually download your CSVs, accuracy is what matters to the CRA.

Remember, even if you have stopped using the platform or if your account is restricted, the history of those trades still impacts your taxes today. Take the time to export your history, calculate your ACB, and file confidently.

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