[wyldfire]

> one could argue that there is no “liquidity” event by trading one crypto for another. But perhaps the IRS argues there is a phantom liquidity event during such a trade.

This is called a "like-kind trade" which is IMO muddy for cryptocoins [1].

EDIT: oh yes, I see now that you cite 1031, oops.

[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/tysoncross/2018/02/19/the-truth...

[pdshrader]

It's muddy for 2017 and prior years, but the new tax bill limits 1031 "like-kind" exchanges to real estate - so beginning Jan 1, 2018, it's a taxable event every time you sell a cryptocurrency, even if you're receiving another cryptocurrency in return.

The link you cited above covers this on page 4.

Keep in mind also that like-kind exchanges, if you're going to use them this year and for prior year reporting, require you to claim them explicitly on your taxes [1].

[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertwood/2017/11/27/tax-bills...