Virtual Currency Tax Reform Act

H.R. 4602 · 113th Congress · May 7, 2014 · Lineage

A BILL

To change the tax status of virtual currencies from property to foreign currency

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Virtual Currency Tax Reform Act”.

2. Congressional findings

Congress finds that classifying virtual currencies as property subjects users to capital gains tax on any transaction using the virtual currency based on any gain or loss relative to the change in the virtual currency's value from the time of purchase.

3. Definitions

Virtual currency is a digital representation of value that functions as a medium of exchange, a unit of account, and/or a store of value.

4. General authorization

The Internal Revenue Service shall treat virtual currencies as a foreign currency for Federal tax purposes.

5. Moratorium

(1)

For a period of five years following the date of the enactment of this Act, the Federal Government shall not impose, assess, collect, or attempt to collect capital gains tax on virtual currencies.

(2)

Nothing in this Act shall prevent, impair or impede the operation of any government agency, authority, or instrumentality, whether of the Federal Government or of any State or political subdivision thereof, to enforce currently existing criminal, civil, or taxation statutes and regulations.

6. Effective date

The provisions of this Act shall take effect at the beginning of the fiscal year following enactment.