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Clinton Donnelly: America’s Leading Crypto Tax Expert

Founder of CryptoTaxAudit | IRS Defender | Podcast Host | LLM in Tax Law

When people in the crypto world talk about defending themselves from the IRS, one name comes up again and again:
Clinton Donnelly. To say he’s “qualified” is true, but it barely scratches the surface. Clinton didn’t just choose crypto tax — he built a community and a battle-tested process around protecting everyday investors, traders, and crypto pioneers from an IRS system that, for many, feels like the Wild West.

Explore Our Tax Strategy

Clinton Donnelly: America’s Leading Crypto Tax Expert

When people in the crypto world talk about defending themselves from the IRS, one name comes up again and again: Clinton Donnelly. To say he’s “qualified” is true, but it barely scratches the surface. Clinton didn’t just choose crypto tax — he built a community and a battle-tested process around protecting everyday investors, traders, and crypto pioneers from an IRS system that, for many, feels like the Wild West.

Explore Our Tax Strategy

About Clinton Donnelly

It all started back in 2015, when Clinton saw the writing on the wall: the IRS was going to come after crypto traders in a big way. Instead of waiting for the storm to hit, he created CryptoTaxAudit, a firm that would become the go-to for thousands of clients across 71 countries.

Over the years, Clinton and his handpicked team have filed more than 3,000 crypto tax returns and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with clients in over 40 IRS audits — many of which resulted in refunds, reduced penalties, or cases closed altogether.

Clients frequently stress that the value lies not just in filings but in proactive defense services.

As one Trustpilot review states, “They are very knowledgeable and professional, making my complicated tax issue simple and stress‑free.” 

Another long-term client shared, “I have been a client of CryptoTaxAudit for 3 years now and feel very at ease knowing they are watching my IRS account.”

These patterns in feedback—reliability, clarity, and peace of mind—are echoed across platforms. “CryptoTaxAudit (Donnelly) has assembled a fantastic group of professionals who are both knowledgeable and approachable… they always stay informed of these changes before many others.”

Clinton’s thought leadership isn't confined to his firm. His podcast episodes feature deep explorations with crypto insiders on topics ranging from NFT tax classification to the structural forces shaping US policy responses to SEC actions and broker-dealer integration.

He isn’t just reacting to developments; he’s interpreting them, outlining implications like PFIC risk, Wash Sale debates, and foreign account reporting for listeners who need real, applicable foresight.

In sum, Clinton Donnelly is far more than an expert; he’s the keystone in the structure of crypto tax expertise. He bridges rigorous legal training, a well-honed audit process, upfront strategy, and forward-looking commentary.

His ongoing mission is clear: empower individuals and institutions to navigate IRS scrutiny with confidence and control. For anyone serious about crypto compliance—whether hobbyist, high-volume trader, or institutional investor—Clinton Donnelly remains the most trusted voice in the room.

He has authored eight books, including Foreign Earned Income Exclusion: Avoiding IRS Audits of Form 2555 (2017) and Attorney-Client Privilege and the FATF Recommendations (2014).

About Clinton Donnelly

It all started back in 2015, when Clinton saw the writing on the wall: the IRS was going to come after crypto traders in a big way. Instead of waiting for the storm to hit, he created CryptoTaxAudit, a firm that would become the go-to for thousands of clients across 71 countries. Over the years, Clinton and his handpicked team have filed more than 3,000 crypto tax returns and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with clients in over 40 IRS audits — many of which resulted in refunds, reduced penalties, or cases closed altogether.

Clients frequently stress that the value lies not just in filings but in proactive defense services.

As one Trustpilot review states, “They are very knowledgeable and professional, making my complicated tax issue simple and stress‑free.” 

Another long-term client shared, “I have been a client of CryptoTaxAudit for 3 years now and feel very at ease knowing they are watching my IRS account.”

These patterns in feedback—reliability, clarity, and peace of mind—are echoed across platforms. “CryptoTaxAudit (Donnelly) has assembled a fantastic group of professionals who are both knowledgeable and approachable… they always stay informed of these changes before many others.”

Clinton’s thought leadership isn't confined to his firm. His podcast episodes feature deep explorations with crypto insiders on topics ranging from NFT tax classification to the structural forces shaping US policy responses to SEC actions and broker-dealer integration. He isn’t just reacting to developments; he’s interpreting them, outlining implications like PFIC risk, Wash Sale debates, and foreign account reporting for listeners who need real, applicable foresight.

In sum, Clinton Donnelly is far more than an expert; he’s the keystone in the structure of crypto tax expertise. He bridges rigorous legal training, a well-honed audit process, upfront strategy, and forward-looking commentary. His ongoing mission is clear: empower individuals and institutions to navigate IRS scrutiny with confidence and control. For anyone serious about crypto compliance—whether hobbyist, high-volume trader, or institutional investor—Clinton Donnelly remains the most trusted voice in the room.

He has authored eight books, including Foreign Earned Income Exclusion: Avoiding IRS Audits of Form 2555 (2017) and Attorney-Client Privilege and the FATF Recommendations (2014).


Education, Strategy, Leadership

What makes Clinton different is what he teaches people behind the numbers. It’s not just about dumping CSVs into software and hoping for the best. Clinton is an educator at heart — whether he’s speaking to an audience of DeFi traders, podcast listeners, or a worried investor on a late-night Zoom call.

His podcast, The Clinton Donnelly Show, is where that comes alive. He’s not afraid to break down dense tax policy in plain English. Take his recent episodes on repealing the DeFi broker rule — he unpacked exactly why that matters to regular investors, and how the IRS is likely to pivot. When Puerto Rico’s 0% crypto tax myth started grabbing headlines, Clinton recorded an entire series explaining who actually qualifies, the traps no one talks about, and how to protect yourself if you make the move.

One Trustpilot reviewer wrote: “I learned more from Clinton’s podcast in two episodes than I did in 10 calls with my old CPA. He makes this stuff make sense.” Another shared: “They’re the only ones who could explain staking taxes without sounding like robots.”

What people really appreciate is that Clinton gives them a roadmap — not just for filing taxes once, but for staying audit-ready every single year. From the “Bulletproof Crypto Tax Return” method to his Safe Harbor strategies for traders with DeFi income, Clinton’s firm keeps refining what it means to be ahead of the IRS. This isn’t static. The team studies every new IRS form, proposed rule, and court case so they can adjust the strategy before the agency makes the next move.

A client named Marie put it best in her review: “It feels like they’re already thinking 10 steps ahead for me. I don’t have to stress about that letter from the IRS anymore.”

 

Education, Strategy, Leadership

What makes Clinton different is what he teaches people behind the numbers. It’s not just about dumping CSVs into software and hoping for the best. Clinton is an educator at heart — whether he’s speaking to an audience of DeFi traders, podcast listeners, or a worried investor on a late-night Zoom call.

His podcast, The Clinton Donnelly Show, is where that comes alive. He’s not afraid to break down dense tax policy in plain English. Take his recent episodes on repealing the DeFi broker rule — he unpacked exactly why that matters to regular investors, and how the IRS is likely to pivot.

When Puerto Rico’s 0% crypto tax myth started grabbing headlines, Clinton recorded an entire series explaining who actually qualifies, the traps no one talks about, and how to protect yourself if you make the move.

One Trustpilot reviewer wrote: “I learned more from Clinton’s podcast in two episodes than I did in 10 calls with my old CPA. He makes this stuff make sense.” Another shared: “They’re the only ones who could explain staking taxes without sounding like robots.”

What people really appreciate is that Clinton gives them a roadmap — not just for filing taxes once, but for staying audit-ready every single year. From the “Bulletproof Crypto Tax Return” method to his Safe Harbor strategies for traders with DeFi income, Clinton’s firm keeps refining what it means to be ahead of the IRS.

This isn’t static. The team studies every new IRS form, proposed rule, and court case so they can adjust the strategy before the agency makes the next move.

A client named Marie put it best in her review: “It feels like they’re already thinking 10 steps ahead for me. I don’t have to stress about that letter from the IRS anymore.”

A Team Effort


Of course, Clinton doesn’t do it alone. He’s quick to credit the people around him: Kent, Director of Customer Solutions, is often the first reassuring voice a new client hears when they call in worried about an IRS letter. Ben, the firm’s Director of Crypto Analytics, is the numbers wizard who lives knee-deep in blockchain forensics and transaction tracing. Sarah, the Director of Tax, reviews complex returns and keeps the team sharp when new compliance challenges pop up.

This collaborative spirit is part of why so many clients stick around year after year. “They treat me like a person, not a case file,” says Tom, another Trustpilot reviewer who’s been with the firm since 2019. “They actually care if you understand what’s happening.”

Where It’s All Going


If you ask Clinton what’s next, he’ll tell you this fight is far from over. The IRS keeps expanding its digital asset division, new 1099-DA reporting rules are around the corner, and enforcement actions are ramping up. His roadmap for the future includes more education, more transparent resources for clients, and tools that ordinary crypto traders can use to stay out of trouble.

“We want people to feel empowered, not intimidated,” Clinton says. “The crypto world moves fast, but that doesn’t mean you have to live in fear of a letter in the mailbox.”

So whether you’re an everyday HODLer, a DeFi degen with thousands of trades, or a high-net-worth expat managing complex offshore holdings, Clinton Donnelly is still the name insiders trust to keep them protected, informed, and confident.

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