Cryptocurrencies have taken the world by storm over the past few years. As their popularity has grown, so has the need for legislation and tax regulation.
A Swyftx crypto tax guide can give a detailed view of cryptocurrency trading in Australia.
This article will answer some of the most common questions about crypto tax in Australia. It will cover topics such as what crypto tax is, how to calculate it, and when you are required to pay it.
1) What is Crypto Tax?
Crypto tax is the tax that you pay on your cryptocurrency investments. It can include income tax, capital gains tax, or GST.
The ATO (Australian Tax Office) collects taxes on cryptocurrency in Australia.
If you are an Australian resident, you will need to pay tax on your profits from investing in cryptocurrency. It includes any gains from selling, trading, or using your crypto. Resources like Swyftx crypto tax guide will explain all this information in detail.
You may also be liable for capital gains tax if you sell your crypto for more than what it was bought for because crypto assets are taxable. It means that if you sell, trade, or exchange your crypto assets, you may need to pay taxes on any profits you make.
The amount of tax you pay will depend on your circumstances, such as your marginal tax rate. Marginal tax rate means the tax rate that applies to your last dollar of income.
For example, if you are an Australian resident and earn $50,000 in a financial year, your marginal tax rate will be 32.50 per cent. It means that you will pay 32.50 cents in tax for every dollar you earn over $50,000.
If you are not an Australian resident, you will still need to pay tax on your crypto profits if you carry on a business in Australia.
2) How Can You Reduce Your Taxes on Profits?
There are a couple of crucial ways to reduce the amount of taxes you owe on your cryptocurrency profits. Some of them are explained below:
a) Use Offsets
An offset is a reduction in the amount of tax you owe based on your circumstances. The most common offset type is the low-income tax offset (LITO). If your taxable income is less than $37,000, you may be eligible for LITO.
b) Make Use of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Exemptions
If you sell an asset that is your personal use asset, you may be eligible for a CGT exemption. It means that you will not have to pay any taxes on the profits from your personal use asset sale.
c) Use Tax-Deductible Expenses
If you have incurred any expenses about your cryptocurrency investments, you may be able to claim them as tax deductions. It can reduce the amount of taxes you owe on your profits.
d) Use Capital Gains Tax Discounts
If you hold an asset for more than 12 months before selling it, you may be eligible for a CGT discount. The discount is usually 50 percent of the capital gain.
3) What Are the Risks of Not Paying Taxes on Cryptocurrency?
The risks of not paying taxes on cryptocurrency are very high. If you do not pay your taxes, you may be subject to severe penalties from the ATO. Some of the penalties you may face are:
a) Financial penalties
b) Jail time
c) Disqualification from running a business
d) Loss of your cryptocurrency investments
e) Reputation damage
4) When is the Time to Seek Professional Help?
If you are unsure about your tax obligations, it is always best to seek professional help. A qualified accountant or tax lawyer can help you understand your obligations and ensure that you comply with the law.
Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual asset designed to work as a medium of exchange. If you want to trade cryptocurrencies in Australia legally, you need to understand crypto tax.