cost-basis-engine Checked
Installation
Copy the prompt below and send it to your AI assistant (e.g. Claude Code) — it will follow the instructions and install automatically.
Install the "cost-basis-engine" skill by following the instructions at https://skill123.me/install/cost-basis-engine.
Run in your terminal — downloads and installs to ~/.claude/skills/.
curl -fsSL https://skill123.me/install/cost-basis-engine.sh | bash
Download the zip and extract it into your skills directory (e.g. ~/.claude/skills/), then restart your session.
⬇ Download v1.0.0 · 13 KBNot live-tested yet — this skill is rated on static analysis only.
About this skill
Multi-method cost basis computation including specific identification, FIFO, LIFO, HIFO, and proportional average cost with partial sell handling
Cost Basis Engine
Compute cost basis for crypto trades using multiple accounting methods and compare the resulting tax liability across methods. This skill handles the full complexity of on-chain activity: partial sells, token migrations, airdrops, staking rewards, LP entry/exit, and multi-hop swaps.
> **Disclaimer**: This skill provides computational tools for informational purposes only. It does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for your specific situation. Tax law varies by jurisdiction and changes frequently.
Documentation
Multi-method cost basis computation including specific identification, FIFO, LIFO, HIFO, and proportional average cost with partial sell handling
Cost Basis Engine
Compute cost basis for crypto trades using multiple accounting methods and compare the resulting tax liability across methods. This skill handles the full complexity of on-chain activity: partial sells, token migrations, airdrops, staking rewards, LP entry/exit, and multi-hop swaps.
> **Disclaimer**: This skill provides computational tools for informational purposes only. It does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for your specific situation. Tax law varies by jurisdiction and changes frequently.
Prerequisites
- Python 3.10+
- No external dependencies required (standard library only)
- Trade history as a list of dicts or CSV with columns:
date,action,token,quantity,price_usd,fee_usd
Methods Overview
| Method | Logic | Best For |
|--------|-------|----------|
| **FIFO** | First lots purchased are sold first | Simplicity, many jurisdictions' default |
| **LIFO** | Last lots purchased are sold first | Deferring gains when prices rise over time |
| **HIFO** | Highest-cost lots are sold first | Minimizing current tax liability |
| **Specific ID** | Trader selects which lots to sell | Maximum control, requires record-keeping |
| **Average Cost** | Weighted average of all held lots | Simplicity, required in some jurisdictions |
---
1. FIFO (First-In, First-Out)
Sell the oldest lots first. This is the default method in the US if no other method is elected.
def fifo_sell(lots: list[dict], sell_qty: float, sell_price: float) -> list[dict]:
"""Sell using FIFO. lots sorted oldest-first."""
remaining = sell_qty
realized = []
while remaining > 0 and lots:
lot = lots[0]
used = min(lot["qty"], remaining)
gain = (sell_price - lot["cost_per_unit"]) * used
realized.append({"qty": used, "basis": lot["cost_per_unit"], "gain": gain})
lot["qty"] -= used
remaining -= used
if lot["qty"] <= 0:
lots.pop(0)
return realized
### Partial sell example
You hold three lots of TOKEN:
- Lot A: 100 units @ $1.00 (oldest)
- Lot B: 50 units @ $2.00
- Lot C: 75 units @ $1.50
You sell 120 units at $3.00:
- 100 from Lot A: gain = (3.00 - 1.00) * 100 = $200
- 20 from Lot B: gain = (3.00 - 2.00) * 20 = $20
- Total realized gain: **$220**
- Lot B remainder: 30 units @ $2.00
---
2. LIFO (Last-In, First-Out)
Sell the newest lots first. Reverses the order compared to FIFO.
View full documentation
def lifo_sell(lots: list[dict], sell_qty: float, sell_price: float) -> list[dict]:
"""Sell using LIFO. Pops from end (newest first)."""
remaining = sell_qty
realized = []
while remaining > 0 and lots:
lot = lots[-1]
used = min(lot["qty"], remaining)
gain = (sell_price - lot["cost_per_unit"]) * used
realized.append({"qty": used, "basis": lot["cost_per_unit"], "gain": gain})
lot["qty"] -= used
remaining -= used
if lot["qty"] <= 0:
lots.pop()
return realized
Using the same lots and selling 120 at $3.00 with LIFO:
- 75 from Lot C: gain = (3.00 - 1.50) * 75 = $112.50
- 45 from Lot B: gain = (3.00 - 2.00) * 45 = $45
- Total realized gain: **$157.50**
---
3. HIFO (Highest-In, First-Out)
Sell the highest-cost lots first to minimize realized gains.
def hifo_sell(lots: list[dict], sell_qty: float, sell_price: float) -> list[dict]:
"""Sell using HIFO. Sort by cost descending, consume highest first."""
lots.sort(key=lambda x: x["cost_per_unit"], reverse=True)
remaining = sell_qty
realized = []
for lot in lots:
if remaining <= 0:
break
used = min(lot["qty"], remaining)
gain = (sell_price - lot["cost_per_unit"]) * used
realized.append({"qty": used, "basis": lot["cost_per_unit"], "gain": gain})
lot["qty"] -= used
remaining -= used
lots[:] = [l for l in lots if l["qty"] > 0]
return realized
Same lots, selling 120 at $3.00 with HIFO:
- 50 from Lot B ($2.00, highest): gain = (3.00 - 2.00) * 50 = $50
- 70 from Lot C ($1.50, next highest): gain = (3.00 - 1.50) * 70 = $105
- Total realized gain: **$155**
- Remaining: Lot A 100 @ $1.00, Lot C 5 @ $1.50
---
4. Specific Identification
The trader explicitly selects which lots to sell. Provides maximum control but requires meticulous record-keeping. Each lot must be uniquely identifiable (e.g., by purchase date and time, or a lot ID).
def specific_id_sell(lots: dict[str, dict], lot_ids: list[tuple[str, float]],
sell_price: float) -> list[dict]:
"""Sell specific lots by ID. lot_ids = [(lot_id, qty_to_sell), ...]"""
realized = []
for lot_id, sell_qty in lot_ids:
lot = lots[lot_id]
used = min(lot["qty"], sell_qty)
gain = (sell_price - lot["cost_per_unit"]) * used
realized.append({"lot_id": lot_id, "qty": used, "basis": lot["cost_per_unit"], "gain": gain})
lot["qty"] -= used
if lot["qty"] <= 0:
del lots[lot_id]
return realized
---
5. Proportional / Average Cost Method
Compute a single weighted-average cost per unit across all held lots. Every sell uses that average cost. The average updates after each buy.
def average_cost_basis(lots: list[dict]) -> float:
"""Compute weighted average cost per unit across all lots."""
total_cost = sum(l["qty"] * l["cost_per_unit"] for l in lots)
total_qty = sum(l["qty"] for l in lots)
if total_qty == 0:
return 0.0
return total_cost / total_qty
def average_cost_sell(lots: list[dict], sell_qty: float, sell_price: float) -> dict:
"""Sell using average cost. Reduces all lots proportionally."""
avg = average_cost_basis(lots)
total_qty = sum(l["qty"] for l in lots)
sell_qty = min(sell_qty, total_qty)
gain = (sell_price - avg) * sell_qty
# Reduce each lot proportionally
ratio = sell_qty / total_qty
for lot in lots:
lot["qty"] *= (1 - ratio)
lots[:] = [l for l in lots if l["qty"] > 1e-12]
return {"qty": sell_qty, "avg_basis": avg, "gain": gain}
### Partial sell with average cost
Lots: 100 @ $1.00, 50 @ $2.00, 75 @ $1.50. Total: 225 units, total cost $312.50.
Average cost = $312.50 / 225 = **$1.3889/unit**
Sell 120 at $3.00: gain = (3.00 - 1.3889) * 120 = **$193.33**
After the sell, 105 units remain at the same $1.3889 average.
---
6. Special Events
### Airdrops
Airdrops are treated as income at fair market value (FMV) on the date received. The FMV becomes the cost basis for future sales.
airdrop_lot = {
"date": "2025-03-15",
"qty": 1000,
"cost_per_unit": 0.05, # FMV at time of receipt
"income_recognized": 50.0, # 1000 * 0.05 reported as income
"source": "airdrop"
}
### Staking Rewards
Staking rewards are income at FMV when received (similar to airdrops). Each reward event creates a new lot.
staking_lot = {
"date": "2025-04-01",
"qty": 5.2,
"cost_per_unit": 150.0, # SOL price at receipt
"income_recognized": 780.0,
"source": "staking_reward"
}
### Token Splits and Migrations
A token split or migration (old token to new token 1:1 or N:M) is generally not a taxable event. The total cost basis transfers to the new tokens.
def apply_split(lots: list[dict], split_ratio: float) -> None:
"""Apply a token split. split_ratio > 1 means more tokens."""
for lot in lots:
lot["qty"] *= split_ratio
lot["cost_per_unit"] /= split_ratio
For a 1:10 split of 100 tokens @ $5.00: result is 1000 tokens @ $0.50. Total basis unchanged at $500.
---
7. LP Entry/Exit as Token Swaps
Entering an LP position is treated as selling the deposited tokens and receiving LP tokens. Exiting is the reverse.
**LP Entry** (deposit 10 SOL + 1500 USDC into SOL/USDC pool):
1. Dispose of 10 SOL at current FMV → capital gain/loss event
2. Dispose of 1500 USDC a
Score breakdown
Assessment methodology
Version history
Imported from agiprolabs/claude-trading-skills@main