Owners or users of any virtual currency

Virtual or digital currency, such as bitcoin, is not new. What is new is Notice 2014-21, where the IRS states that this convertible currency should be treated as property for tax purposes (rather than as a currency). The notice also provides that “mining” a virtual currency (which is the process for obtaining the virtual currency by solving mathematical problems) produces income upon receipt using the fair market value (FMV) at that time. Treatment of virtual currency as property means that when it is used, such as to buy goods, its basis and FMV must be determined to measure the resulting gain or loss. The holding period of the asset and character of the income (ordinary or capital) must also be determined.

 

The above information is of a general nature only and should not be relied upon for specific situations. 

 

Call Marlies Y Hendricks CPA PLLC at either 716-694-3500 or 910-769-8730 as required to set up an appointment