Source: eToro
As the end of the tax year nears, UK investors are being warned that their profits from investing in cryptoassets such as bitcoin are likely to come under greater scrutiny from the HMRC, according to investment platform eToro.
Last August HMRC required all UK based investment platforms and exchanges offering cryptoassets to provide details of all their crypto investors. While cryptoassets have always been subject to UK tax rules, as an emerging asset class it has, to date, been difficult for the taxman to monitor them. The move last year by HMRC suggests that they will be looking out for investors who have not declared their gains from cryptoassets.
Investors should begin working out their tax liabilities as soon as possible and start making provision to pay their bill. A lot of people holding cryptoassets are young and many are first time investors who have no experience of completing a tax return. To provide help eToro has developed a calculator that allows you to work out the tax you have to pay.
Iqbal V. Gandham, UK managing director of eToro, says: “Cryptoassets like bitcoin have attracted a lot of interest from people who are new to investing and have probably never filed a tax return in their life. It’s really important for investors to start doing the maths now so they know how much profit they’ve made and the tax due. You don’t want to leave it too late and end up with a nasty shock when it’s time to pay your tax bill, or face a hefty fine if you miss the deadline. Our calculator can help crypto investors understand what they owe.”
Gandham believes that the change of approach by HMRC shows that cryptoassets are now being taken more seriously. He explains: “Bitcoin first made the news when its value began to soar and lots of people started investing in it, alongside other cryptoassets such as Ethereum. Crypto has become a gateway for investing and many of those original crypto investors have diversified into other assets, including stocks."
On the eToro platform, people invest in the actual cryptoasset. Selling, exchanging or using cryptoassets as a payment method are all considered a disposal by HMRC. No matter the reason for buying cryptoassets, whether for investment or to make a payment, when the cryptoasset holder actions a disposal, any gains are liable to capital gains tax. Importantly, it is up to the investor to notify HMRC and pay any tax due.
In addition to the tax calculator, eToro has also published a series of guides and helpful articles on its website.