Records worth keeping

• What happened: fork announcement, chain, airdrop, or promotional distribution
• When you gained the ability to transfer or sell the new units (and any earlier “pending” credits)
• Quantity received and U.S. dollar fair market value used for income
• Where the units sat (exchange, self-custody address) and exports or screenshots that support dominion and control
• Later disposals of the new units, tracked separately from your original Bitcoin lots

Practical tip

When a fork or airdrop appears, write a short contemporaneous note: date usable, quantity, dollar value source, and wallet or exchange. Export history before you leave a platform. Then ask a qualified professional how those facts fit your return — especially if valuation was thin, access was delayed, or multiple chains and custodians were involved.

This article is general information about common U.S. federal tax concepts related to cryptocurrency hard forks and airdrops. It is not tax, legal, or accounting advice for your situation. Rules depend on facts, custody, valuation, and timing. Consult a qualified professional before filing or making decisions.