GST On Cryptocurrency? Govt Planning GST For All Cryptocurrency Transactions In India

GST officials believe that cryptocurrencies share similarities with casinos, betting, gambling, lottery, and horse racing, among others in nature
GST officials believe that cryptocurrencies share similarities with casinos, betting, gambling, lottery, and horse racing, among others in nature

The cryptocurrency scene in India is pretty hot, especially after the Government voiced some decisions around the digital assets in its Budget session in early February 2022.

The Union government now plans to place cryptocurrency under the goods and services umbrella, which means that a Goods and Services Tax could be levied on the digital currencies soon.

The discussions related to the understanding of this matter is still at an early stage, stated a PTI report.

Govt Plans to Levy GST on Cryptocurrencies

At present, an 18% tax under GST is being charged on the services provided by cryptocurrency exchanges.

The government plans to place cryptocurrency under the GST law, categorized as financial services so that a tax could be charged on the entire value of transactions.

“There is a clarity needed regarding levy of GST on cryptocurrencies, and whether it has to be levied on the entire value. We are seeing whether cryptocurrencies can be classified as goods or services and also removing any doubt on whether it can be called an actionable claim,” stated a GST official.

Moreover, GST officials believe that cryptocurrencies share similarities with casinos, betting, gambling, lottery, and horse racing, among others in nature, and as these entities attract a 28% GST on the entire value, so should cryptocurrency transactions.

Besides, any transaction of gold attracts a 3% tax charged on the entire transaction value.

“Discussions are in a nascent stage on the rate of tax, whether it would be 0.1 per cent or 1%. First, a classification decision will have to be finalised, and the rate will be discussed,” cited a PTI report.

As per the Budget 2022, a TDS of 1% on payments made towards virtual currencies of more than Rs 10,000 in a year was made.

A threshold limit of Rs 50,000/year TDS was made for pacific persons, which also include individuals/HUFs who need to get their accounts audited under the I-T Act.

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