Suggestion of Cryptocurrency Evaluation in Taxation in Japan 2024

Aki Japan Tax Consultant Office | Income Tax, Corporate Tax, VAT Back | Suggestion of Cryptocurrency Evaluation in Taxation in Japan 2024

Author Aki Kojima

Certified Public Tax Accountant with an MBA, member of the Association of Micro M&A Professionals, and licensed real estate agent. I provide tax advisory services, asset management consulting, and support for business owners, freelancers, and sole proprietors. I have extensive experience in international sales, accounting, labor relations, recruiting, and IT management. In addition to my professional work, I write articles and books on taxation and financial education. I enjoy swimming, reading, photography, and spending time in nature with my two children.

August 25, 2023

August 25, 2023

Introduction: A New Era of Cryptocurrency Taxation

The dynamic world of cryptocurrency is ever-evolving, and Japan is no exception. The country’s stance on cryptocurrency taxation has seen significant shifts, with the latest updates from the Liberal Democratic Party’s Digital Society Promotion Headquarters’ Web3 Project Team (Web3PT). Let’s look at these proposed changes and what they mean for corporations in Japan.

The Current Tax Landscape for Corporations Holding Crypto

Companies in Japan that hold cryptocurrency assets are taxed on their unrealized gains at the fiscal year’s conclusion. This means that even if a company hasn’t sold or realized any profit from its crypto holdings, they are still liable for taxes based on the asset’s market value at year-end.

 

Web3PT’s Game-Changing Proposals

Web3PT advocates a more nuanced approach to cryptocurrency taxation, especially for corporations. Their suggestions include:

Long-Term Trading Exemption

If a company holds cryptocurrencies issued by other entities for long-term trading purposes, these assets’ year-end market value evaluation should be excluded from corporate tax calculations.

Crypto-to-Crypto Exchange Tax Exemption

Gains or losses resulting from cryptocurrency exchanges should not be subject to taxation. This is a significant shift, considering the increasing volume of crypto-to-crypto trades.

 

Aligning Tax and Accounting Rules: Web3PT’s Perspective

Web3PT acknowledges that there can be discrepancies between tax and accounting regulations in various sectors. However, they believe that even if the tax and accounting rules don’t perfectly align for the year-end market value evaluation of cryptocurrencies, they won’t pose significant practical challenges.

Moreover, they’ve introduced an additional proposal for individual crypto transactions:

Separate Declaration Tax

Gains and losses from individual cryptocurrency transactions should be subject to a distinct declaration tax set at 20%.

 

Conclusion: The Future of Cryptocurrency Taxation in Japan

These proposed changes signal a more flexible and adaptive approach to cryptocurrency taxation in Japan, especially for corporations. As the crypto landscape evolves, businesses and individuals alike must stay informed about regulatory shifts.

Stay with us for more updates on cryptocurrency regulations in Japan, and ensure your corporation is always ahead of the curve!

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