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How to calculate credit card rewards cost basis

Credit Card Rewards Controversy | Users Demand Clarity from Gemini Card

By

Carlos Rivera

Apr 5, 2025, 07:11 AM

Edited By

Liam O'Reilly

Updated

Apr 5, 2025, 12:11 PM

2 minutes of reading

A visual representation of credit card rewards calculation with graphs and financial tools

A growing coalition of credit card users is voicing their frustrations over the lack of transparency in reward transactions, particularly those involving the Gemini Credit Card. As tax season approaches, many users are scrambling for clear methods to report their earnings.

The Confusion Deepens

When users check their transaction history, they encounter vague entries instead of the anticipated details showing the USD value of Bitcoin (BTC) rewards earned. A disgruntled user detailed their experience, stating, "It’s not telling me the value of the 'reward' in USD at the time of purchase." This troubling issue isn't isolated, as countless users find themselves in a similar bind.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that many are concerned about how they will demonstrate accurate cost basis calculations to the IRS. Additional feedback from the community indicates that several users have discovered that the details for each reward can actually be accessed by going to the card pageβ€”specifically by clicking β€œview all” under total rewardsβ€”offering both fiat and crypto values. However, confusion remains as not every user seems aware of this feature, potentially adding to the stress of tax prep.

Community Sentiment: Frustration and Misunderstanding

Reactions from the online community reflect a broad array of feelingsβ€”some are frustrated, while others are simply confused about how to report these rewards effectively. One user remarked, "Mine just doesn’t load but yeah it should give you USD and BTC. Just do the math for the cost basis." Another pointedly noted the risk of misreporting:

"If I were to turn this over to the IRS as is, they would assume the cost basis on all transactions was $0."

This mix of frustration and uncertainty underscores the urgency of the situation as tax obligations loom on the horizon. Users are left wondering whether they might need external software solutions to assist in determining their cost basis.

The Wider Impact on Financial Practices

Interestingly, this ongoing issue could result in a ripple effect, prompting users to seek alternative methods or tools for calculating their rewards efficiently. The potential shift in user behavior towards cryptocurrency reward systems reflects a growing distrust in existing platforms due to this lack of clarity.

Current Snapshot of the Situation

  • ⚠️ Users express exasperation over non-transparent reward transactions.

  • πŸ’Έ A substantial number are unsure about how to report rewards to the IRS.

  • πŸ” Discovering the rewards history can provide USD and BTC values, but confusion persists.

As this story develops (and tax season marches on), it’s crucial for users to remain vigilant about their transaction records. How this controversy plays out may just shape future approaches to cryptocurrency reward systems.