The subject of tax has proven to be a pivotal topic in any journey to financial freedom. It has even gained more traction with the rapid adoption of cryptocurrencies over the past decade. So this will be every beginner’s guide to cryptocurrency taxes. This guide aims to break down the confusion around taxation in cryptocurrency and empower you with the right knowledge. Let’s delve in.
What is a Tax?
A tax is a mandatory contribution imposed on individuals, businesses, or entities by a government. The aim of this is to enable the government to fund and support public goods and services like healthcare, education, defense, and infrastructure development.
What Are Cryptocurrency Taxes?
A cryptocurrency tax is not different from a normal tax you know. This is because the Internal Revenue Service or IRS considers every crypto asset as a virtual currency used as a medium of exchange. So levies are imposed on the profits, earnings, and transactions of these digital assets.
How does Cryptocurrency Taxes work?
Because crypto assets are considered to be property assets and tax is recorded when a sale is completed. So every crypto transaction made has a tax implication attached to it. Imagine you bought Ethereum when it was at one thousand dollars and sold it when it hit the three thousand dollar mark, you will pay a tax fee for the profits. However, not all crypto activity leads to taxation.
The crypto activities that lead to taxation include:
1. Selling crypto for cash
2. Swapping one crypto for another
3. Paying for a product or service with crypto
4. Mining or staking crypto
5. Receiving airdrops
6. Earning salary in crypto
7. Receiving interest or yield in crypto
On the contrary, some activities don’t have any tax implications. Activities like transferring crypto from one wallet to another, buying crypto with fiat currency, donating crypto, gifting crypto, creating an NFT, and holding crypto.
In most jurisdictions, profits from crypto assets are taxed as capital gains, much like profits from stocks, equities, etc. The jurisdiction, the length of time the investor has owned the cryptocurrency, the investor’s total yearly income, and the total amount realized from selling it are some of the variables that affect the capital gains tax rate. Certain nations tax gains as regular income, which leads to reduced tax rates or no taxes at all for individuals earning less than a specific amount.
How can the IRS Track Cryptocurrency Taxes?
Nothing is hidden in the eyes of the IRS. Systems have been put in place to monitor crypto taxes. By mandating that significant exchanges finish KYC checks, handle banking information, and maintain records of withdrawn monies, the IRS can keep track of cryptocurrency investments. They can now identify custodial wallets and ascertain if taxes are owed on cryptocurrency gains thanks to this.
One important component of bitcoin taxes is capital gains calculation, which depends on the effective tracking of cryptocurrency transactions.
Cryptocurrency Tax Strategies and Planning
To have a proper tax plan and strategy means to plan for the ever-evolving digital financial landscape. Here’s a summary of key strategies you can use to reduce your tax burden but still maintain compliance.
The Common Cryptocurrency Tax Software Providers
People say that the number seven is the number of perfection. But these are the most common cryptocurrency tax software providers anyone can find. They are listed below in no particular order.
1. CoinLedger
2. TokenTax
3. CoinTracker
4. TaxBit
5. BitcoinTax
6. ZenLedger
7. Koinly
Conclusion
Conclusively, the cryptocurrency space is still buzzing with new opportunities that one must learn to also carry a responsibility to manage tax obligations effectively. This starts with the right knowledge, utilizing tax-advantaged accounts, capital loss harvesting, and other strategic approaches to ease tax burdens.
Additionally, as you come to the end of this article, you must remember that this is not a tax consult but a general guide to give you more insight into taxation around cryptocurrency. This implies the need to consult with a tax expert, and keep meticulous records, and employing tax preparation software will make the process smoother and more manageable. By implementing these strategies, you can be sure to maximize your cryptocurrency investment potential while maintaining compliance with tax regulations.
