The IRS has told Congress that it will issue new cryptocurrency tax guidance soon.

In a new letter, the IRS Commissioner said he has “made it a priority” to issue additional guidance on crypto taxation.

Last week, Commissioner Charles Rettig responded to an April 11 letter from a bipartisan group of 21 Members of Congress, led by Rep. Tom Emmer, that asked the agency to issue needed guidance on the tax consequences and basic reporting requirements for taxpayers that use virtual currencies. In that response, Commissioner Rettig acknowledged that there are “areas where needed and helpful additional guidance can be provided,” and went on to say:

I 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. Specifically, your letter mentions (1) acceptable methods for calculation cost basis; (2) acceptable methods of cost basis assignment; and (3) tax treatment of forks. We have been considering these issues and intend to publish guidance addressing these and other issues soon.

We are glad to see that the IRS acknowledges the need for additional clarity on these basic tax questions, which we highlighted and suggested common-sense answers to in our recent report “A Duty to Answer.” We are also happy to see the continued leadership of Rep. Emmer and others in Congress on an issue which affects all U.S. cryptocurrency users.

A direct download of this letter is available here.