Tax reminder for crypto asset users

With use of crypto assets growing, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging people to avoid potential penalties and check if they need to complete a Self-Assessment tax return for the 2022-23 tax year.

Anyone with crypto assets should declare any income or gains above the tax-free allowance on a tax return. Tax may be due when a person:

• receives crypto assets from employment, if they are held as part of a trade, or engage in crypto related activities that generate an income.
• sells or exchanges cryptoassets, including:
  • selling cryptoassets for money
  • exchanging one type of crypto asset for another
  • using cryptoassets to make purchases
  • gifting cryptoassets to another person
  • donating cryptoassets to charity

The deadline to complete a tax return and pay any tax owed is 31 January 2024.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:

“People sometimes forget that information about crypto-related income and gains need to be included in their tax return. Some people affected may not have had to do a tax return before, so it is important people check. With the Self-Assessment deadline just a matter of weeks away, I am urging people not to put off completing it.”

Need time to pay?

Taxpayers who are unable to pay any taxes due in full can access support and advice on GOV.UK. HMRC may be able to help by arranging an affordable payment plan, known as Time to Pay for customers who owe less than £30,000. Taxpayers can arrange this themselves online. Go to GOV.UK and search “HMRC payment plan” for more information.

HMRC will consider a taxpayer’s reasons for not being able to meet the deadline. Those who provide HMRC with a reasonable excuse may avoid a penalty. The penalties for late tax returns are:

• an initial £100 fixed penalty, which applies even if there is no tax to pay, or if the tax due is paid on time
• after 3 months, additional daily penalties of £10 per day, up to a maximum of £900
• after 6 months, a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater
• after 12 months, another 5% or £300 charge, whichever is greater

There are also additional penalties for paying late of 5% of the tax unpaid at 30 days, 6 months and 12 months. Interest will also be charged on any tax paid late.

And a final cautionary note. Everyone should be aware of the risk of falling victim to scams and should never share their HMRC login details with anyone. HMRC scams advice is available on GOV.UK.