5 Quick Facts for IRS Reporting of Foreign Cryptocurrency & Bitcoin

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5 Quick Facts for IRS Reporting of Foreign Cryptocurrency & Bitcoin (Golding & Golding, Board-Certified Tax Specialist)

5 Quick Facts for IRS Reporting of Foreign Cryptocurrency & Bitcoin (Golding & Golding, Board-Certified Tax Specialist)

5 Quick Facts for IRS Reporting of Foreign Cryptocurrency & Bitcoin

Currently, neither the IRS nor FinCEN have provided any “Definitive” guidance about how to report your cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or other virtual currency to the IRS.

(We use Bitcoin and Crypto interchangeably for purposes of this article)

Some you will want to play it safe; and some of you won’t — either way, we are here to help you.

Cryptocurrency & Bitcoin Lawyers Golding & Golding, A PLC

Golding & Golding represents clients worldwide in over 70-countries exclusively in Streamlined, Offshore and IRS Voluntary Disclosure matters. We have successfully completed more than 1,000 streamlined and voluntary disclosure submissions.

We are the “go-to” firm for other Attorneys, CPAs, Enrolled Agents, Accountants and Financial Professionals worldwide.

5 Quick Facts About Reporting Cryptocurrency

Here are 5 important considerations when deciding to report cryptocurrency/bitcoin:

The IRS has increased Cryptocurrency/Bitcoin Enforcement

Whether it is because the IRS finally won its subpoena against Coinbase (to gather the name of 14,000 U.S. account holders), the recent issuance of IRS Letter 6174/6174-A, or the IRS’ recent joining of J-5, which is focused on the global crackdown on cryptocurrency fraud (and related offshore fraud) – the IRS has made cryptocurrency an enforcement priority.

FBAR & Cryptocurrency/Bitcoin 

While FinCEN recently stated that offshore Cryptocurrency is not listed as a type of account which is included in the regulations that dictates reporting (ambiguous at best), that does not mean all cryptocurrency would escape reporting.

For example, if you have a bank account with both non-virtual currency and Crypto, and/or exchanged your crypto for U.S. dollars or other non-virtual currency — you may still have to report the account on the FBAR.

FATCA & Cryptocurrency/Bitcoin 

The IRS does not deem cryptocurrency as currency. Rather, the IRS categorizes it as property. Since it is considered property, it may be categorized as an “asset.” If your cryptocurrency is held in a foreign country account (not a personal wallet), then it may be considered a specified foreign financial asset that should be included on the FATCA Form 8938.

**FinCEN and the IRS are not the same, and oftentimes the guidance from one organization is not in sync with the other — leading to ambiguity (and making your reporting that much harder.)

Exchanging and Transferring Crypto to the U.S.

If you own cryptocurrency in a foreign country, at some point you may decide to sell it. Once you sell it, the currency will be held in USD, GBP, EURO, etc.

And, you may also decide to transfer the money to the U.S., or have a check issued, and then deposit the check in the U.S.

Either way, you have created footprints that the IRS may be able to follow.

And, with International wire transfer audits on the rise, this is something to be cognizant of.

Stolen Crypto is Still Reportable

Here is an example of the concern: You have $500K of crypto in Brazil. The crypto is in a joint account with non-virtual currency, and therefore the account may be reportable. Your crypto is stolen, and then you were audited by the IRS (not a good year).

If the IRS finds that the account was a reportable account, and you did not report, you may be subject to penalties based on the maximum value of the account — even if the cryptocurrency was stolen.

Golding & Golding (Board Ceritfied Specialist in Tax Law)

Golding & Golding (Board Certified Specialist in Tax Law)

Interested in IRS Bitcoin/Cryptocurrency Amnesty?

No matter where in the world you reside, our international tax team can get you IRS offshore compliant.

Golding & Golding specializes in IRS Offshore/Foreign amnesty procedures. Contact our firm today for assistance with getting compliant.

For more information, please refer to a recent Forbes article on foreign cryptocurrency featuring Managing Partner, Mr. Golding