Taxing Cryptocurrencies

Author/Editor:

Katherine Baer ; Ruud A. de Mooij ; Shafik Hebous ; Michael Keen

Publication Date:

July 5, 2023

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.

Summary:

Policymakers are struggling to accommodate cryptocurrencies within tax systems not designed to handle them; this paper reviews the issues that arise. The greatest challenges are for implementation: crypto’s quasi-anonymity is an inherent obstacle to third-party reporting. Design problems arise from cryptocurrencies’ dual nature as investment assets and means of payment: more straightforward is a compelling case for corrective taxation of carbon-intensive mining. Ownership is highly concentrated at the top, but many crypto investors have only moderate incomes. The capital gains tax revenue at stake worldwide may be in the tens of billions of dollars, but the more profound risks may ultimately be for VAT/sales taxes.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2023/144

Subject:

Frequency:

regular

English

Publication Date:

July 5, 2023

ISBN/ISSN:

9798400246586/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2023144

Format:

Paper

Pages:

35

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