Here's what Canadians need to know about Bitcoins and other digital currencies this tax season
Cryptocurrencies are generally viewed as a commodity, whereby any gains or losses could be taxable income or capital for the taxpayer. (File Photo)
Digital currencies, such as
Bitcoin, are the new kids on the block and are becoming an increasingly popular way to sell goods or to keep as an investment. So, how do they affect your taxes? Unlike 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. 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 in regard to 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 rate 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 are 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 you were to accept digital currency for the sale of your car on Craigslist, then the value of that vehicle would be the amount of income you would have to report.
- 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 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 $35,000, you would have to declare a capital gain of $10,000. 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 RRSP’s or other registered plans, 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 U.S. or foreign dealer, and they aren’t being held or used in operating a business, then you’ll need to complete the Form T1135 Foreign Income Verification Statement if the value of the Bitcoins is more than $100,000.