Render Network (RNDR) Tax Reporting Guide 2025

Complete guide to reporting Render Network GPU rendering income on your taxes. Learn about RNDR token taxation, GPU depreciation, electricity deductions, and required IRS forms.

Track RNDR Taxes Free ← Back to DePIN Tax Guide

What is Render Network?

Render Network is a decentralized GPU rendering network that connects artists and studios needing rendering power with GPU owners who can provide it. Node operators earn RNDR tokens for completing rendering jobs.

Hardware

High-Performance GPUs

Token

RNDR

Activity

GPU Rendering Jobs

How RNDR Tokens Are Taxed

1
When You Receive RNDR (Income Tax)

RNDR rewards for completed rendering jobs are taxed as ordinary income at the fair market value when received. Report on Schedule C as self-employment income.

2
When You Sell RNDR (Capital Gains Tax)

When you sell RNDR, you owe capital gains tax on the difference between sale price and your cost basis. Long-term rates apply if held over 1 year.

GPU Depreciation & Section 179

High-performance GPUs are significant capital investments. You have two main depreciation options:

Section 179

Deduct the full cost of GPUs in the year of purchase.

• 2024 Limit: $1,160,000
• Best for high-income years
• Must be used 50%+ for business

5-Year MACRS

Spread deductions over 5 years for computer equipment.

• Year 1: 20%, Year 2: 32%
• Better if income varies
• No income limit

Deductible Expenses for Render Nodes

Expense	Typical Amount	Tax Treatment
High-Performance GPUs	$500-$2,000+	Section 179 or 5-year MACRS depreciation
Workstation/Computer	$2,000-$10,000	Business-use portion deductible
Electricity	Varies significantly	GPU rendering uses substantial power
Cooling Equipment	$100-$500	Fans, AC, cooling solutions
Internet (Business %)	$20-$50/month	High-speed for job uploads/downloads
Repairs & Upgrades	Varies	GPU replacements, thermal paste, etc.

Electricity Tracking: GPU rendering uses significant power (200-400W per GPU). Use a dedicated power meter to accurately track electricity costs for your rendering setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are Render Network RNDR tokens taxed?

RNDR tokens earned for rendering jobs are taxed as ordinary income at the fair market value when received. When you sell RNDR, you may owe capital gains tax on any price appreciation.

Can I deduct my GPU purchases for Render Network?

Yes! GPUs used for Render Network are deductible business equipment. Use Section 179 to deduct the full cost immediately (up to $1.16M in 2024), or depreciate over 5 years with MACRS.

What about electricity costs for GPU rendering?

Electricity used for rendering is deductible if you run it as a business. Calculate the GPU power draw and hours of operation. Consider using a dedicated power meter for accuracy.

Is Render Network income considered self-employment?

If you regularly render jobs with profit intent, the IRS likely considers it self-employment. This means Schedule C reporting and 15.3% self-employment tax, but you can deduct expenses.

Automate Your Render Network Taxes

DePIN Tax automatically tracks your RNDR rewards, calculates cost basis, and generates IRS-compliant reports.

Start Free Trial Back to DePIN Guide