The current fiscal year ends in March 2023 and is the first in which Indian cryptocurrency users will be taxed for their transactions. In layman's terms, every Indian person who transacts in cryptocurrency, whether as a dealer, miner, or yield farmer, is compelled (under the new Finance Bill of 2022) to disclose their holdings and pay taxes on the gains.

Crypto Basics

Crypto is a new asset class with unique advantages. Security and privacy are at the top of the priority list. Cryptography is a technology used to secure Crypto transactions. As explained, cryptography is the process of transforming intelligible data into complex codes that are difficult to decipher. Furthermore, cryptocurrency operates on decentralised networks based on blockchain technology.

Although containing the term "currency" in their name (in general), Cryptocurrencies are not legal tender in India. They can, however, be kept as assets in the same way that stocks, gold, and bonds are.

An Overview of Crypto Tax in India

To deal with Crypto Tax in India, in the 2022 budget, a new section 115BBH was included. This clause imposes a 30% tax (with applicable surcharge and 4% cess) on Crypto trading earnings starting from 1st April 2022. This rate is equal to India's highest income tax, excluding surcharge & cess. This tax applies to private investors, business dealers, and anyone who moves Crypto assets in a particular fiscal year.

How is Cryptocurrency Taxed in India?

The word "Virtual Digital Assets" is defined by the ITD under Section 2(47A) of the Income Tax Act (VDAs). The definition is lengthy, but it encompasses all crypto assets, including cryptocurrencies, NFTs, tokens, and others.

Section 115BBH was enacted in the 2022 budget by the finance minister. This section levies a 30% tax (plus any applicable surcharge and 4% cess) on gains derived from cryptocurrency trading on or after April 1, 2022. This is India's highest income tax bracket (excluding surcharge and cess). The tax rate applies to private investors, professional traders, and anyone who transfers digital assets throughout a fiscal year. Furthermore, the 30% tax rate will apply regardless of the source of income; hence, there will be no distinction between income from investments and revenue from enterprises, nor between short-term and long-term gains. Other taxes besides the 30% charge applied to cryptocurrency. To ensure that all cryptocurrency transactions are documented, another article, 194S, levies a 1% Tax at Source (TDS) on cryptocurrency asset transfers on or after 1 July 2022 if cryptocurrency transactions exceed 50,000 in a fiscal year (or 10,000 in certain situations).

However, both investors and accountants remain concerned. The ITD has not specified how bitcoin earnings would be taxed before the fiscal year 2022-2023. Taxpayers in FY 2021-22 can declare income as capital gains if investments are held for investment reasons or as business income if they are fit for trading purposes when filing their returns. The Income Tax Return for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 is due on July 31, 2022, with a late return accepted until December 31, 2022. (In the absence of an audit).

Major Points of Crypto Tax in India

The major points of Crypto Tax in India are as follows-

• Profits from bitcoin assets are taxed at a rate of 30% (plus any applicable surcharge and 4% cess).
• Section 115BBH of the Internal Revenue Code pertains to profits.
• A reduced long-term capital gains tax rate is not a possibility.
• Except for acquisition charges, no deductions are authorised.
• On the transfer of VDAs, a 1% TDS needs to be paid.
• A 30% tax rate will be in place on April 1, 2022, and a 1% TDS rate will be in effect on July 1, 2022.

When to Pay Crypto Tax in India?

You may be required to pay the 30% tax whenever you engage in one of the following transactions:

• Purchasing cryptocurrencies using other fiat money.
• Stablecoins and other cryptocurrencies are traded.
• Buying products and services using cryptocurrency.

However, the 30% tax will not always be applicable since the ITD may occasionally wrongly believe you are generating money. In certain cases, you shall pay tax at your individual tax rate upon receipt. Among them are the following:

• You can provide cryptocurrency if you are the recipient (refer to the gift section for more details).
• Mining for coins (refer to the mining section for more details).
• Using cryptocurrencies to make a payment.
• Stake profits.
• Airdrops.

Indian Crypto without Taxes

When is Bitcoin going to be tax-free in India? What other cryptocurrencies exist? In India, you will not always be required to pay tax on your bitcoin. There is no tax on cryptocurrencies in India when you are:

• Investing in cryptocurrencies.
• Transferring bitcoins between wallets
• Receiving a bitcoin gift of 50,000 or more from close family members.
• How to Calculate Crypto Taxes in India?

How to Calculate Crypto Taxes in India?

First, you must identify your cost base. Your cost basis is the charge you paid for the cryptocurrency or its fair market value (in) on the day you received it. In contrast to most other tax offices, the ITD does not allow you to enhance your cost base through items such as purchase or sale fees. Instead, deduct your cost basis from the sale price once you've determined it. If you traded or spent it instead, subtract your cost basis from the cryptocurrency's fair market value in Indian rupees on the day you sold it.

Recent Updates in Crypto Taxes

In June 2022, the CBDT issued an official order amending the Income Tax laws to clarify how enterprises would comply with the new standards and the reporting format for the same. Section 194S of India's Income Tax Act requires exchanges to deduct tax from cryptocurrency buyers under the new guidelines. These taxes must be paid to the govt. within 30 days of the month in which they were deducted. In addition, according to the laws, a TDS certificate must be provided to the payee within 15 days of the due date for reporting the tax to the government. These certificates are required for users to seek a tax refund from the government.

On December 13, 2022, the government reported that since the introduction of TDS rules in July, an amount of INR 60.46 crore had been received in tax from entities for transactions in virtual digital assets (VDAs), including cryptocurrency. In addition, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary noted in response to a Rajya Sabha question that the CBDT undertakes outreach/awareness programmes for deductors/taxpayers and takes necessary action, such as search and seizure operations, surveys, and enquiries, as warranted.

Conclusion

This blog provides all of the main aspects that should be examined or connected to bitcoin tax payments in India. Nonetheless, before paying crypto taxes in India. It is critical that you contact an expert who has all of the necessary skills in the preferred subject.
 

Details About The Legal Entity Identifiers in Cryptocurrency in India