How to export transaction history from MetaMask? (Crypto Tax Prep)

Accessing MetaMask Account Settings

1. Open the MetaMask browser extension or mobile application and ensure you are logged into the correct wallet account.

2. Click or tap the three-dot menu icon located in the top-right corner of the interface.

3. Select Settings from the dropdown list to enter the configuration panel.

4. Scroll down and choose Advanced to reveal additional wallet options.

5. Toggle on Show test networks if transactions occurred on Ethereum testnets, though most taxable events happen on mainnet.

Navigating to the Activity Tab

1. Return to the main wallet view by closing the Settings menu or using the back arrow.

2. Tap or click the Activity tab situated at the bottom (mobile) or top navigation bar (desktop).

3. Confirm all relevant network connections—Ethereum Mainnet, Polygon, BSC, or Arbitrum—are active and synced.

4. Use the filter icon to isolate specific transaction types: Sent, Received, Swaps, Approvals, or Contract Interactions.

5. Note that MetaMask does not display gas fees separately in this view; those values must be extracted from on-chain data later.

Exporting via MetaMask Portfolio Dashboard

1. Visit https://portfolio.metamask.io and connect your wallet using the “Connect Wallet” button.

2. Once connected, navigate to the Transactions section under the Assets tab.

3. Adjust the date range using the calendar controls to match your tax reporting period.

4. Click the Export button—this generates a CSV file containing timestamps, asset symbols, amounts, counterparties, and transaction hashes.

5. Save the file locally and verify it contains at least 10–15 recent entries before proceeding to reconciliation.

Using Block Explorers for Missing Data

1. For transactions not appearing in Portfolio or showing incomplete details, copy the transaction hash from MetaMask’s Activity screen.

2. Paste the hash into Etherscan, Polygonscan, BscScan, or the appropriate chain explorer based on the network used.

3. Locate the Internal Txns tab to uncover token transfers triggered by smart contracts, which often represent taxable events.

4. Manually record gas costs denominated in ETH or native tokens, converting them to fiat using exchange rates valid on the transaction date.

5. Cross-reference contract addresses with known protocols like Uniswap or Aave to classify income, capital gains, or staking rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does MetaMask automatically categorize transactions as income or capital gains? A: No. MetaMask provides raw blockchain data only. Categorization requires manual review or third-party tax software integration.

Q: Can I export historical data older than 90 days? A: Yes. The Portfolio dashboard retrieves full on-chain history as long as the wallet address remains unchanged and the network is supported.

Q: Why do some transactions show “Unknown” in the To/From field? A: This occurs when interacting with anonymous smart contracts or decentralized applications without verified source code on block explorers.

Q: Is the exported CSV compatible with TurboTax Crypto or CoinTracker? A: It requires formatting adjustments. Most tax platforms accept CSV but demand columns named “Date,” “Buy Amount,” “Buy Currency,” “Sell Amount,” “Sell Currency,” and “Fee.”