Australian Crypto Tax Guide
- March 15, 2023
- 5 min read
As the popularity of crypto investments continues to soar, so too does the need for clear and accurate taxation guidelines.
In Australia, crypto taxes has been a subject of much debate and confusion.
With the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) taking a more assertive approach towards monitoring and regulating cryptocurrency transactions, it is important for investors and traders to understand their obligations.
In this article, we will explore the current taxation framework for cryptocurrencies in Australia and provide guidance on how to navigate this complex area of taxation.
From capital gains tax to record-keeping requirements, we will cover everything you need to know to ensure you pay tax, meet your crypto tax obligations and avoid potential penalties and legal consequences.
So, let’s dive in and unravel the intricacies of crypto tax in Australia.
Overview:
- What is cryptocurrency?
- How is cryptocurrency taxed in Australia?
- What taxes do you pay on cryptocurrency?
- How much tax do you pay on crypto in Australia?
- How do I declare crypto to ATO?
- How Sleek can help with your cryptocurrency taxes?
What is cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security and operates independently of a central bank.
Cryptocurrencies use decentralised technology called blockchain, which maintains a continuously growing list of records called blocks that are linked and secured using cryptography.
So whether you have bought Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, or other cryptocurrencies, as digital assets, you’ll need to declare your cryptocurrency and pay crypto taxes.
New to cryptocurrency? Go back to the basics and read our ‘Crypto-currency tax: the beginners guide’
How is cryptocurrency taxed in Australia?
In Australia, cryptocurrency is treated as property for tax purposes.
What taxes do you pay on cryptocurrency?
There are two taxes cryptocurrency is subject to –
Capital Gains Tax CGT
This means cryptocurrency is subject to CGT when disposed of. This also includes buying, selling, trading, or exchanging cryptocurrency for other assets or currencies.
If you hold cryptocurrency as an investment, any profits you make from selling or trading it are subject to CGT.
The CGT applies to the difference between the purchase price and the sale price of the cryptocurrency. You must report a capital gain or capital loss in your tax return for the year in which the transaction occurred.
Income Tax
If you use cryptocurrency to purchase goods or services, it is treated as a barter transaction and is subject to income tax. The value of the cryptocurrency at the time of the transaction is considered as income.
Say, for example, you receive cryptocurrency as payment for goods or services you provide as part of your business, it is considered business income and is subject to ordinary income tax.
You must report the income in Australian dollars at the time you receive it.
How much tax do you pay on crypto in Australia?
This is a hard question to answer, as personal circumstances and the details of your transactions will differ.
The amount of crypto tax you pay in Australia will depend on several factors, including the nature of the transaction, the value of the cryptocurrency (converted into AUD from its foreign currency, if applicable), and your tax circumstances.
Capital Gains Tax on Cryptocurrency
If you hold your crypto asset as an investment, any profits you make from selling or crypto trades in a financial year, are subject to CGT.
The capital gain rate in Australia is determined by your marginal tax rate, which ranges from 0% to 45% depending on your income.
Keep in mind, if you hold your cryptocurrency for more than 12 months before selling or trading it, you may be eligible for the capital gains discount, which reduces the taxable net capital gain by 50%.
Income Tax in Australia on Cryptocurrency
If you use cryptocurrency to purchase goods or services, it is treated as a barter transaction and is subject to ordinary income tax. The value of the cryptocurrency at the time of the transaction is considered as income, and the tax rate is determined by your marginal tax rate.
If you receive cryptocurrency as payment for goods or services you provide as part of your business, it is considered business income. The tax rate is determined by your income tax rate.
It is important to note that there are exemptions and deductions that may apply to reduce the amount of crypto tax you owe. For example, if you make a net capital loss from selling cryptocurrency, you may be able to offset your tax liability against other capital gains or carry it forward to offset future capital gains.
All too hard, already? Sleek’s crypto tax accountant service is exactly for investors like you.
How do I declare crypto to ATO?
So now you know the cryptocurrency taxes you are subject to, how do you advise the ATO?
Like other income and asset transactions, to declare your cryptocurrency to the ATO, you will need to include it in your crypto tax return.
Have you bought and sold cryptocurrency?
If you have bought or sold cryptocurrency during the financial year, you must report the details of these transactions to the ATO using the Capital Gains Tax Schedule.
You will need to provide the following information:
The date of the transaction
The amount of cryptocurrency bought or sold
The value of the cryptocurrency at the time of the transaction in Australian dollars
The purpose of the transaction (e.g. investment, personal use)
Any capital gains or losses made from the transactions
Have you received an income from cryptocurrency?
If you have received cryptocurrency as income from your business or from mining, you must include this income in your tax return as you would any other income.
It is important to keep accurate records of all your crypto exchange and transactions, including receipts, purchase and sale records, and details of any wallets or exchanges used. These records will help you accurately calculate your capital gains or losses and ensure you are meeting your obligations.
If you are unsure about how to declare your cryptocurrency to the ATO or have any questions, we highly recommend you seek advice from a tax professional.
How Sleek can help with your cryptocurrency taxes?
We understand the complexities of cryptocurrency and tax.
This is why Sleek offers a comprehensive crypto tax report solution that can help you accurately calculate, report your tax to the ATO and pay taxes.
Our platform integrates with major cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets, allowing us to automatically import your crypto transactions and generate detailed tax reports using our crypto tax calculator.
Our crypto tax software reports include a summary of your crypto transactions, capital gains and losses calculations, and other important tax information. #tooeasy
With our cryptocurrency taxes reporting solution, you can:
Ensure you are meeting your tax and avoid penalties
Save time and effort by automating the capture of crypto transaction data
Gives you access to expert tax advice and support
Plan ahead to work out how much tax you will need to pay.
If you’re looking for assistance with your cryptocurrency tax reporting, our team of experts can help. Contact us today on +61 4 9100 0480 to learn more about our services and how we can assist you with your tax obligations.
FAQs
Yes. The ATO has access to information about your cryptocurrency transactions through various means, including data matching with cryptocurrency exchanges and financial institutions, as well as through third-party data sources.
No, you cannot avoid paying tax on your cryptocurrency in Australia.
Cryptocurrency is treated as property for tax purposes, which means it is subject to CGT when disposed of. If you use cryptocurrency to purchase goods or services, it is treated as a barter transaction and is subject to income tax.
Similarly, if you receive cryptocurrency as payment for goods or services you provide as part of your business, it is considered business income.
Yes, you may still need to report your cryptocurrency in your tax return even if you did not sell it.
If you hold cryptocurrency as an investment, you must report it as part of your CGT calculations. The value of your cryptocurrency holdings will need to be calculated at the end of the financial year and included in your tax return.
Additionally, if you received cryptocurrency as payment for goods or services you provide as part of your business, it is considered business income and is subject to income tax.
If you fail to report your cryptocurrency transactions in your tax return, tax evasion or provide false or misleading information, you may face penalties, interest charges or even criminal charges.
The penalties can range from 25% to 75% of the tax shortfall, with additional interest charges also applied. The specific penalty amount depends on the circumstances of your case, including the severity of the breach, whether it was intentional or unintentional, and your compliance history.
