Indian Government Working on How GST Tax Could Be Applied to Crypto – Taxes Bitcoin News

India’s ministry of finance is reportedly working on how the goods and services tax (GST) could apply to crypto transactions. “A better understanding of how cryptocurrencies fit into our legal system is the prerequisite for the decision on the GST rate,” a source told local media.

India’s Goods and Services Tax Could Soon Apply to Crypto Transactions

India’s finance ministry is reportedly working on a comprehensive goods and services tax (GST) regime, Livemint reported Monday. According to a source, the publication was informed:

Still, we are discussing whether GST should be applied to crypto assets. As it stands now, GST is levied only on services. Therefore, we will need to examine whether crypto assets may be considered a good, or a service.

Local media previously reported that government officials were considering either an 18% GST or 28% GST for crypto assets.

However, the source was quoted as saying: “We can have a special rate for it. It may not necessarily be 18% or 28% — maybe somewhere between that. We have had a few discussions on it and will arrive at a decision soon.”

A second source provided an explanation to the news outlet

The prerequisite to deciding on the GST Rate is a better understanding of cryptocurrency’s place in our legal system.

GST will apply only to margins or service fees and not the whole asset’s value, according to the publication. Additionally, the government is examining certain transactions such as mining or airdropped cryptocurrency tokens.

A panel of Indian ministers met to discuss GST on crypto transactions at the end June. The meeting was not reported by officials.

Indian authorities have already begun taxing cryptocurrency income and transactions. On April 1, a 30% tax was imposed on crypto asset income. A 1% tax is deducted at source on crypto asset payments. This was also effective as of July 1.

Meanwhile, the Indian government is also working on the country’s crypto policy. The government will finalize its position on cryptocurrencies’ legality by the end of next year in an attempt to comply with the Financial Action Task Force. Nirmala Sitharaman, Indian Finance Minister, has also called on the International Monetary Fund to lead in creating a global cryptocurrency framework.

Are you concerned that India might impose a GST on crypto transactions? Comment below to let us know your thoughts.

Kevin Helms

Kevin is a graduate of Austrian Economics. He discovered Bitcoin in 2011, and has been an advocate ever since. He is interested in Bitcoin security and open-source software, network effects, and the intersection of cryptography and economics.