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Here's What You Need To Know About Cryptocurrency This Tax Season

Bitcoins and other digital currencies are viewed as a commodity, where any gains or losses could be taxable income or capital for the taxpayer.
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Digital currencies such as Bitcoin are the new kids on the block, and are becoming a popular way to sell goods, or to have as an investment. So, how do they affect your taxes?

Unlike our normal currency, Bitcoins are not controlled by a central bank, or even by any specific country. They can be bought and sold in return for traditional currency, and can be transferred between individuals. As a result, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) doesn't consider them to be a foreign currency. Instead, Bitcoins and other digital currencies are viewed as a commodity, where any gains or losses could be taxable income or capital for the taxpayer.

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The CRA expects you to report these transactions as you would any other business or investment transaction, and report it on your tax return. While banks do not have record of it, the CRA is well aware of digital currency, and is actively pursuing cases where they believe there is non-compliance with reporting income.

Essentially, a person who sells something in exchange for Bitcoin is seen to have sold it for its fair market value at the time of the exchange.

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you own or exchange digital currency:

  • To calculate the dollar value of a Bitcoin transaction, you must use the exchange rate for Bitcoin and the Canadian dollar on the day of the transaction
  • If you use Bitcoin or other digital currency systems in the operation of your business or self-employment activities, you're still responsible for claiming these purchases and payments as usual on your tax return
  • Any business accepting digital currency is considered engaging in a barter transaction. If the trade was a business transaction, this would be viewed as income to the business. If you trade for an item, the value of that item would be considered income. For example, if I accept digital currency for the sale of a book, then the value of the book would be the amount of income I would have to report

More from H&R Block Canada:

  • Here's How Lower-Income Families Can Maximize Their Tax Returns
  • Canada's Most Embarrassing Tax Questions, Answered
  • Here's How To Get The Most Out Of Your RRSP
  • If you buy, hold and sell digital currency outside of a business, and make a profit in the process, you must report that profit as a capital gains. The portion of the CRA's tax code regarding securities exchanges applies to these transactions. For example, if you purchased 100 Bitcoins for $25,000, but sold them six months later for $32,000, you would have to declare a capital gain of $7,000. The exemption of $200 per year on capital gains from foreign currency transactions does not apply to Bitcoins
  • Unlike foreign currencies, digital currencies cannot be held in an RRSP or other registered plan, since they are not qualified investments
  • If you are holding Bitcoins with a Canadian dealer, they won't be subject to the foreign property reporting rules. However, if you hold your coins with an American or other foreign dealer, and they aren't being held or used in carrying on a business, you'll need to complete the Form T1135 Foreign Income Verification Statement if the value of the Bitcoins is more than $100,000

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