A group of US lawmakers led by congressmen Patrick McHenry and Ritchie Torres plans to reform the crypto tax reporting provisions introduced in 2021 under the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. The lawmakers said the bill’s reintroduction would spur innovation in the sector and bring more clarity to the industry operating in the United States.
Lawmakers to Reform 2021 Crypto Tax Reporting Requirements
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers is set to push on Tuesday to reintroduce a bill that will reform crypto tax reporting provisions, Punchbowl news reported.
The bill, dubbed “Keep Innovation in America Act,” was first introduced and co-led by Committee Chair Patrick McHenry and Rep. Ritchie Torres in 2021 to narrow the definition of a “crypto broker” for tax purposes. It represents an adjustment to crypto rules first unveiled and passed under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
Now, lawmakers are planning to reintroduce the bill. Apart from previous issues, they would also restrict “the federal government’s ability to define what a “digital asset” is,” the report says. In other words, the bill would limit the US Treasury Department’s power to define crypto obtained after the implementation of IIJA.
Current Reporting Provisions Could Stifle Crypto Innovation, Lawmakers Say
The move comes around one and a half years since US President Joe Biden signed the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill into law. The initial legislation included tax reporting provisions concerning digital assets such as cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Now, lawmakers are fighting to reform the bill because they believe the current reporting provisions are “incompatible with this technology’s operation,” the bill states. As a result, lawmakers said it could hinder innovation in the digital assets sector.
McHenry said the restored bill would address “misguided policy and regulatory overreach [that] threatens to push this dynamic industry – and its potential benefits – overseas.” In addition, it would also bring “much-needed legal and regulatory clarity to help cement our continued place as the global leader in crypto technology and innovation,” said Ritchie Torres, one of the key crypto proponents in Washington.
Earlier today, Thailand’s government said it would offer tax breaks for digital token issues. The cabinet spokesperson said Thailand expects the move to bring $3.71 billion worth of investment token offerings over the next two years.
Meanwhile, the US government continues to crack down on crypto firms after several bankruptcies last year highlighted the risks of the loosely regulated sector. Companies that regulators have recently targeted for scrutiny include crypto exchanges like Binance and Kraken.
This article originally appeared on The Tokenist
Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)
Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?
Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!
By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.
By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.