CARF crypto reporting
CARF is the OECD's global answer to crypto tax transparency — a worldwide standard for reporting and automatically exchanging crypto data between tax authorities. This page explains what it is, who must report, the timeline, and how CryptaCount produces the reports.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Confirm your specific obligations against the framework and a qualified advisor.
What CARF is
The Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), published by the OECD in 2023, is a global standard requiring Reporting Crypto-Asset Service Providers (RCASPs) to identify their users, determine their tax residence, and report their crypto transactions — which tax authorities then automatically exchange with each other. It's modelled on the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) used for traditional financial accounts, extended to crypto. In the EU, CARF is implemented as DAC8. DAC8 →
The timeline
CARF is being adopted worldwide: a large number of jurisdictions — the majority of the OECD Global Forum's membership — have committed to begin exchanges, most starting in 2027 (some in 2028). Practically, providers collect data from the start of the relevant reporting year and file the following year, with the first international exchanges beginning around 2027.
Who's in scope
RCASPs are defined broadly — exchanges, brokers, certain wallet providers, and other intermediaries facilitating crypto transactions for customers. CARF also requires reporting of certain wallet transfers (including to self-hosted wallets), widening the data captured beyond simple trades. If you operate a platform, fund, or service handling crypto for others, assess whether you're an RCASP.
What it requires
Due-diligence and self-certification to establish each user's identity and tax residence, and annual reporting of transaction data in the OECD's prescribed XML schema — which is then exchanged between participating jurisdictions.
How CryptaCount helps with CARF
- Maintains the transaction-level records and user data reporting requires
- Generates CARF reports in the required format for filing
- Handles CARF and DAC8 together where both apply, from one integrated process
- Keeps a complete, auditable trail behind every reported figure
Compliance & reporting → · See the sub-ledger →
General information, not legal or tax advice. Verify against the framework and a qualified advisor.
FAQ
The OECD's global Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework: a standard for reporting crypto users and transactions and automatically exchanging that data between tax authorities, modelled on the CRS.
Reporting Crypto-Asset Service Providers — exchanges, brokers, certain wallet providers, and similar intermediaries facilitating crypto transactions for customers.
Most committed jurisdictions begin exchanges in 2027 (some 2028), with data collected from the relevant reporting year and filed the following year.
CARF is the OECD's global framework; DAC8 is the EU's implementation of it. They're aligned, so providers can meet both through one process.
Yes. It maintains the records and generates CARF reports in the required format, alongside DAC8 where applicable.