Which Cryptocurrency Doesn’t Report To IRS?
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Which Cryptocurrency Doesn’t Report To IRS?

written by John Murphy | February 10, 2023

With the cryptocurrency community growing bigger and trading volumes reaching new highs, many countries, including the U.S., have properly enhanced efforts to collect taxes through Internal Revenue Service (IRS). However, investors, especially new ones, look for exchanges which cryptocurrency doesn’t report to IRS because it will help them avoid taxes.

Despite the best efforts of the IRS, certain crypto projects do not report to IRS. Such a scenario becomes a fruitful investment opportunity for investors as they can save tax money. It all seems a race against time for authorities to develop regulations to bring crypto investment under the tax net.

Since cryptocurrency is the future of finance, IRS has all eyes on crypto mining and cryptocurrency exchange activities in pushing them to adhere to applicable taxes. But, still, users have the means to avoid taxes legally.

Please read through the entire article to learn which cryptocurrency doesn’t report to IRS. 

Ways To Avoid Reporting To IRS

Although it is difficult to avoid IRS while dealing in cryptocurrency legally, there are a few ways to achieve this feat. Here is how cryptocurrency doesn’t report to IRS.

  • Buy Through Fiat Currency

One of the best and legal ways to avoid reporting cryptocurrency to the IRS is to purchase them with fiat currency like USD, as per the IRS FAQs on Cryptocurrency (Q5), which updated on March 2, 2021.

Question 5 on Form 1040 requires individuals to report cryptocurrency transactions by answering “YES” to the question – “ At any time during (the year), did you receive, sell, send, exchange, or otherwise acquire any financial interest in any virtual currency?”

Hence, if you hold your cryptocurrencies for more than one year in your crypto wallet, you answer “NO” to the above and move on.

Previously, this was a confusing question for many investors, but the IRS now makes it clear. Subsequently, this also answers – which cryptocurrency doesn’t report To IRS.

However, one notable point is that FAQ-Q5 only applies to cryptocurrencies purchased in fiat money. If you purchase one crypto using another cryptocurrency, you must mark “YES” on Form 1040. Thus, triggering a taxable event.

  • Remain Anonymous

Another way to avoid IRS is to remain anonymous since certain cryptocurrency exchanges do not require KYC (Know-Your-Customer) process, whereby you can trade cryptos without giving out your identity.

Although, this option is not vastly available in the current setup as authorities push exchanges to gather investors’ details when opening an account. Therefore, almost all major crypto exchanges now require you to provide your credentials. 

IRS Reporting & Crypto 

Like the banking regulations, the IRS’s new guidelines on cryptocurrency will significantly alter the way cryptos are traded. Since anonymity is possible for crypto investors in the U.S., thus traders now bound by law to report their capital gains from digital currency trading in tax forms.

Furthermore, Coinbase, the largest U.S.-based exchange, has already announced cooperation with IRS and provides customer’s data to them “as required by law.”

Thus, it will significantly impact crypto investment, as many investors are looking to put their investments in countries where they are no longer required to report cryptos for taxation.

IRS & Cryptocurrency Exchanges

With the increase in the cryptocurrency market cap, IRS has no choice but to regulate crypto trade. One of the most attractive features for many investors was that they required to reveal their identity. Thus, it was tough to extract taxes from them.

Considering the above problem, IRS has now issued rules and guidelines whereby each cryptocurrency exchange must keep a record of their customers. The practice is known as KYC and KiP.

Thus, no cryptocurrency exchange in the United States is now exempted from IRS. Hence, each of them has to register with the IRS.

Although it may not be favorable for many traders, it was coming as authorities cannot let such a cash cow go unregulated. The purpose is to protect investors and avoid scams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will IRS know if I do not report crypto?

The IRS already knows your crypto trade, so you should not want to involve in a federal offense by not reporting crypto income or losses. Since the crypto market is not well-regulated by the IRS, thus you should avoid hiding your trade, as penalties for such acts may reach as high as 75%.

Does Binance report to the IRS?

Yes, like other famous cryptocurrencies, Binance reports to the IRS. It issues Form 1099-MISC, which covers details of income over $600 investors have gained from crypto trading.

Do I have to report losses to the IRS?

Since you can offset your gains with losses, you should report losses to the IRS. The best strategy is to report all transactions irrespective of income, gain or loss.

Can I revise my tax return with IRS?

You can easily revise your tax returns if you forget to report cryptocurrency incomes. You can revise a particular tax return for up to 3 years.

How to avoid crypto taxes?

There are multiple strategies to avoid cryptocurrency taxes; a few are mentioned below.

  • Offset gains and losses
  • Hold your cryptos for more than one year
  • Claim mining expenses
  • Charitable giving
  • Consider retirement investments

Parting Thoughts

It was easy to answer – which cryptocurrency doesn’t report to IRS question five years ago. However, cryptocurrencies can’t hide from authorities. In the U.S., IRS has developed rules and regulations to monitor crypto trading.

Although investors are opting to relocate their investments to other countries, yet regularized market is performing better. Since many people feel safe with crypto investment, thus they are happy with the crypto market being regularized.

Furthermore, the best way to avoid taxes is to stay anonymous or trade in a region where crypto gains taxes. Although, it is becoming difficult to find such a country that is blind to the crypto market.

We, therefore, recommend always reporting your crypto gains and losses on your tax returns when filing with IRS. It may look like a burden now, but you will benefit in the long run.

Please leave your feedback in the comment section.