Crypto Taxes: What New Zealand’s New Bill Proposal Means

As a seasoned researcher with a keen interest in the intersection of finance and technology, I find the recent developments in New Zealand’s cryptocurrency regulations intriguing. Having followed the global trends in this rapidly evolving field, it is evident that countries are increasingly focusing on ensuring tax compliance in the digital asset space.


On August 26, 2024, Simon Watts, the Minister of Revenue in New Zealand, presented a bill proposal to the parliament that could significantly impact the cryptocurrency landscape within the country.

OECD Crypto Reporting Framework To Be Implemented

The recently proposed legislation, named “Taxation” and covering the years 2024–25, also includes provisions for emergency response and corrective actions, aims to enact laws that align with the Crypto Asset Reporting Framework and improvements to the Common Reporting Standard (CARF), as established by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

As an analyst, I’m sharing that from April 1, 2026, reporting crypto-asset service providers based in New Zealand, including exchange platforms, will be expected to comply with new regulatory standards. These entities will have until July 30, 2027, to submit all relevant user data to the New Zealand tax authority, Inland Revenue (IR).

Essentially, financial platforms are required to disclose their users’ personal details like name, residential address, birthdate, and tax identification number. Moreover, they will need to provide aggregate data on all transactions involving digital assets, converting crypto to traditional currency, and transfers to digital wallets for the purpose of accurately calculating taxes.

Afterward, we’ll pass on this information to all necessary tax departments globally for users residing in different countries by September 30, 2027. This will be done if the information pertains to such users.

The proposed legislation points out a current lack of supervision over digital asset transactions and earnings gained from the trading of these assets. Furthermore, it suggests:

As a global crypto investor, I’ve noticed a growing emphasis on ensuring tax transparency regarding income or returns generated from investments, especially when these opportunities are channeled through significant intermediaries.

Repercussions Of Not Complying With Reporting Requirements

The bill proposes new penalties for RCASPs that fail to comply with their crypto-asset transactions reporting obligations. For each instance of non-compliance, they will be penalized NZD 300 (USD 187), capped at a maximum of NZD 10,000 (USD 6,231) per year. 

Significantly,RCASPs won’t face penalties under situations beyond their power to influence. On the other hand, users disregarding the platform’s reporting guidelines may face fines amounting up to NZD 1,000 (approximately USD 621).

It’s not really a shock that the tough regulations for digital asset reporting, as outlined in the bill, are in place given that over 200,000 individuals in New Zealand neglected to report their cryptocurrency earnings when filing their taxes back in July 2024.

2020 saw New Zealand’s tax authority updating their rules, now considering cryptocurrencies as taxable properties. In other words, they view digital currencies similarly to traditional assets when it comes to taxation.

In that setting, the proposed new bill could significantly change the current cryptocurrency market landscape in New Zealand. If passed, this bill would grant the New Zealand tax authority the ability to monitor users’ transactions on authorized exchanges and calculate any taxes owed on their profits, should there be any.

In some nations, there’s an increase in regulating cryptocurrencies to ensure proper tax reporting; however, other countries are hesitant because they’re still seeking clarity about this emerging financial category before implementing similar regulations.

For instance, earlier this month, South Korean lawmakers proposed postponing the enforcement of cryptocurrency taxation in the country due to investor concerns. 

As a crypto investor, I firmly believe that Japan’s Japan Blockchain Association is spot on when advocating for a reduction in stringent cryptocurrency taxes to foster broader involvement in the rapidly expanding digital asset market. It would be intriguing to observe the long-term implications of both relaxed and strict cryptocurrency regulations on a nation’s digital assets ecosystem over time.

Crypto Taxes: What New Zealand’s New Bill Proposal Means

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2024-08-28 12:12