The U.S. Internal Revenue Service is working on its first tax guidance for cryptocurrency since 2014, the agencyâs commissioner told a lawmaker Monday.
In a reply to Rep. Tom Emmerâs request for further guidance on reporting cryptocurrencies, IRS Commissioner Charles P. Rettig outlined a non-specific plan to release in-depth guidance in the near future.
âI share your belief that taxpayers deserve clarity on basic issues related to the taxation of virtual currency transactions and have made it a priority of the IRS to issue guidance,â Rettig wrote.
The IRS is working on guidance for âacceptable methods for calculating cost basis, acceptable methods of cost basis assignment, and the tax treatment of forksâ according to the letter.
Guidance on these and other issues will be published âsoon,â Rettig wrote.
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âI am glad to hear of the IRSâ plans to issue guidance on this important issue,â Rep. Emmer said in a statement after receiving Rettigâs reply. âTaxpayers deserve clarity on several basic questions regarding federal taxation of these emerging exchanges of value. I look forward to seeing their forthcoming proposal, and working together to serve the American taxpayers.â
Rep. Emmer is part of the Congressional Blockchain Caucus, a group of lawmakers that aims, among other goals, to solidify the reporting requirements and legal requirements associated with cryptocurrencies.
His original request called for the IRS to âissue more robust guidance clarifying taxpayersâ obligations when using virtual currenciesâ with a deadline of May 15, 2019.
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