see here for latest HMRC guidance on Bitcoins.

The post below was written before their guidance was published:

VAT on Bitcoins

Download the full report here

There has been a lot of uncertainty regarding the treatment of VAT on Bitcoins and other cryptographic currencies. This uncertainty has led to a VAT risk as individuals and businesses are not sure of what their VAT liability, if any, could be from being involved in transactions with Bitcoins and cryptographic currencies.

This report sets out to explore the various VAT issues surrounding the Bitcoin ecosystem, apart from whether or not Bitcoins could be classified as “money” or “currency” for VAT purposes, as this is still a work-in-progress.

We have not identified any significant differences between the different crypto coins for VAT purposes.

Are Bitcoins face-value vouchers or something else?

HMRC appears to have classified Bitcoins “face-value vouchers” which may be single purpose.

There may not appear to be any basis for this as demonstrated in the full report.

However, Bitcoins could still be classed as digital commodities (software) or non-face value vouchers, in which case VAT would still be chargeable. This is unless an exemption can be found for them.

Bitcoins do not appear to be Electronic Money as defined by EU Electronic Money Directive Directive 2009/110/EC.

The ideal scenario would be if Bitcoins were classified as “money” or “currency” as these are exempt. Although VATA 1994 doesn’t define money, the EU Sixth Directive does make mention of legal tender. However, this is something which we are exploring in case there is any legal precedent to allow Bitcoins to fall within the exemptions.

If there’s VAT on Bitcoins, how should people deal with VAT

If merchants accept Bitcoins as payment for goods and services, then they would need to account for VAT on their services as normal. The amount is likely to be the market value of Bitcoins as at the tax point.

However, it may be possible for merchants to avoid VAT on Bitcoins when exchanging for legal tender, as they would be used as consideration for a VAT exempt item (money).

Miners, investor/traders and exchanges selling Bitcoins may need to account for VAT at 20% if they are supplying taxable supplies in the course of business. This will need to be looked at on a case by case basis, and there are 6 key tests.

Donations received in Bitcoins may be able to avoid attracting VAT if they are freely given without expectation of goods or services in return, and not in the course of business.

Is there VAT on Bitcoins if customers are located overseas?

Bitcoins are likely to be classified as electronically supplied services in the absence of any exemptions and the special place of supply rules would apply for a UK supplier:

business customer overseas: supply occurs in their country and not subject to UK VAT.

consumer in EU: supply occurs in UK and subject to VAT

consumer outside EU: supply occurs outside EU and not subject to VAT.

Download the full report here



