India Considers Imposing 28% GST on All Crypto Transactions – The Indian government is apparently considering levying a 28 percent goods and services tax (GST) on all cryptocurrency transactions. “At the moment, just a portion of the services offered by crypto exchanges is taxed.
One tax expert warned that taxing the entire transaction at a higher rate of 28 percent may send the markets into free collapse.
According to CNBC TV18, India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council will decide shortly whether to broaden the scope of relevant transactions and collect a 28 percent GST on all services and activities related to cryptocurrency.
The GST Council, which is chaired by the country’s finance minister, is the highest decision-making body. The council’s law committee has been tasked with forming an opinion on the GST problem surrounding cryptocurrency.
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According to the publication’s sources:
“The transactions using cryptos, cryptos that are used to make purchases, and cryptos being received as payments are all aspects of cryptocurrencies. All of these issues are being investigated, and the law committee will address them.”
“The legal committee will review tax suggestions and offer recommendations to the GST Council for approval,” a source familiar with the issue stated.
According to the sources, cryptocurrency exchanges in India are now categorised as “intermediary services” and are subject to an 18 percent GST. “If the GST Council accepts, every transaction will be subject to a 28 percent GST,” the sources added.
The current GST rate for online gaming (without betting) is 18%. Online games that involve betting or gambling, on the other hand, are subject to a 28 percent GST.
A handful of lawmakers have called for bitcoin transactions to be classified as gambling. “Several MPs urged that the GST on cryptocurrencies, like gambling and lotteries, be raised to 28 percent,” a source familiar with the issue said. Because Parliament is the highest legislative body, the law committee will look at their demands.”
Saket Patawari, an executive director at tax advisory firm Nexdigm, commented on the Indian government’s decision to broaden the scope of transactions liable to GST:
“Currently, just a portion of the services supplied by crypto exchanges is taxed. Applying a 28 percent tax rate to the entire transaction may send the markets into free decline.”
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In India, cryptocurrency income is currently taxed at 30%. Furthermore, on July 1, a 1% tax deducted at source (TDS) would be imposed on bitcoin transactions.
In the meantime, the Indian government is developing a crypto policy. On cryptocurrency legislation, authorities from the Finance Ministry have been talking with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
