With the rapid growth of the cryptocurrency and crypto asset sector, traditional tax reporting and enforcement have been struggling to keep up.

Now, in a bid to prevent tax avoidance and underpayment by holders of crypto assets, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has taken the lead on a global commitment to combat offshore tax avoidance on crypto assets – the first of its kind.

The Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF)

CARF is the latest flagship crypto tax transparency programme, spearheaded by the UK and run by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Among other requirements, it means that crypto platforms such as Coinbase and Gemini must start reporting taxpayer information to HMRC and other European tax authorities.

This is not currently done, which has created significant potential for asset holders to pay less tax than they owe, deliberately or accidentally. The OECD estimates that tax non-compliance could be between 55 and 95 per cent of all crypto asset holders.

The Government hopes that this will help to recoup millions of pounds of unpaid tax.

I own crypto assets – what do I need to pay?

In the UK, the taxation of crypto assets, such as Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, has become an important consideration for investors and traders.

HMRC does not recognise cryptocurrency as currency or money, but rather as property, which brings it under the purview of Capital Gains Tax (CGT).

When you sell, swap, spend, or gift crypto assets and make a profit, it’s subject to CGT.

This means that if the value of the crypto assets has increased since you acquired them, you are liable to pay CGT on the gain.

The rate of CGT depends on your income tax band and can vary between 10 and 20 per cent on crypto assets (as they do not qualify as residential property and therefore are not subject to a higher rate).

Gains from crypto assets should be reported on your Self-Assessment tax return.

You have an annual CGT allowance, and only gains above this allowance are taxable.

Currently, the CGT tax-free threshold is £6,000. It’s crucial to keep detailed records of all crypto asset transactions, including dates, values, and types of transactions, as this information is needed for your tax return.

However, in some cases, such as mining or crypto trading as a business, profits may be subject to Income Tax rather than CGT.

This will depend on the nature and frequency of your activities involving crypto assets.

For further guidance on your tax liability as a crypto asset owner, please contact us today.