Whether you’re currently involved in a cryptocurrency like bitcoin or considering buying digital coins, it’s vital to explore the tax implications. While these will vary according to your circumstances, and it’s important to seek professional advice, there are some basic tenets you can start with.

Getting started

No matter how you intend to use your digital coins, you must keep accurate records of your buying and selling.

Your records must include:

  • transaction date
  • the value of it in Australian dollars
  • what the transaction was for and who the other party was, including their cryptocurrency address.

Tax responsibilities

In Australia, cryptocurrency transactions are subject to both income and capital gains taxes. While your digital wallet can contain different types of cryptocurrencies, each one is counted as a separate asset for Capital Gains Tax (CGT).

A Capital Gains Tax event occurs when you ‘dispose’ of your digital asset. Disposal may mean that you:

  • sell or gift
  • trade or exchange
  • convert to fiat currency
  • purchase goods or services with digital money.

If you have transacted with a foreign cryptocurrency exchange you may have tax responsibilities in another country.

Personal asset use of crypto

Personal use assets are not generally subject to tax on transactions. Your digital money use may be regarded as a personal asset if it is kept or used to purchase personal items. This means that capital gains/losses that arise may be disregarded. For example, buying digital coins specifically to purchase an item that can be paid for using cryptocurrency could be considered personal asset use.

It’s important to know that this does not apply if you are buying digital coins as an investment, as part of a profit-making scheme, or as part of a business.

Keeping up to date

Cryptocurrency is a rapidly evolving area. It’s important to stay up to date and understand any developments in tax consequences. The ATO has a guide, including examples and links for additional information to help you.

Get in touch and call us at 1300 844 678 or submit a form here. We can explain the ATO’s rules and regulations for your investments and provide guidance for your situation.

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