When Buying Bitcoin Turns You Into a Trader

When Buying Bitcoin Turns You Into a Trader

For most of us, the image of a trader is someone sitting in a busy stock exchange, looking stressed out and sweaty or with their head in their hands as the market crashes.

Or, they could be pacing up and down your high street bellowing “Buy! Buy!” or “Sell! Sell!” into a mobile phone, making sure everyone hears them.

But have you considered that you could also be a trader? If you have been buying Bitcoin, Litecoin or any of the others with the specific intent of selling when it rises, only to buy it again when it falls, in the eyes of some fairly important people, you might be classed as a trader.

Use eToro’s Crypto Tax Calculator

These fairly important people are Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, and if they suspect you are trading cryptoassets, there might be taxes to pay (if you are a UK resident).

Unlike long-term investments, which the government actually likes as it ties in capital into supporting companies, currencies and other projects it doesn’t want to spend the money to do, trading is treated differently.

Find Out If You Owe Crypto Tax

Trading attracts Income Tax, which is additional to what you pay on your regular earnings. HMRC doesn’t like people earning extra cash – digital, traditional or otherwise – and not telling it, so it could be worth checking up before you file your tax return. Just like your regular income tax though, you are able to offset it against some losses.

Read eToro’s Cryptoasset Tax Report

The good news is that HMRC has set the bar quite high. You would have to make lots of trades every day for the authorities to think you’re setting up shop as the next Barclays or Goldman Sachs.

However, if HMRC deems you to not be a trader, you don’t get off the hook for your dues. Applicable to UK taxpayers, Capital Gains Tax is due on all profit made from investments and assets that grow in value, is still due to be paid… and no, the Exchequer does not accept Bitcoin.

As cryptos are fairly new – to the powers that be, at least – there are few rules and regulations so far set in place. But it is important to note that these will be tightened up over the coming years and months as they become more mainstream, so keep an eye out for updates.

To help you understand how this new tax regime might affect you, eToro has created a crypto tax calculator, infographic and crypto tax guide.

You can also listen to eToro, HMRC and ICAEW explore the cryptoasset landscape, the future of crypto, the tax levy and dispel common misconceptions in our webinar here.

Listen Here

Cryptoassets are volatile instruments which can fluctuate widely in a very short timeframe and therefore are not appropriate for all investors. Other than via CFDs, trading cryptoassets is unregulated and therefore is not supervised by any EU regulatory framework. Your capital is at risk CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Applies to UK taxpayers only.

The information above does not constitute financial advice, always speak to a tax professional to ensure it is right for your specific circumstances.

eToro does not represent any government entity. You should check with a tax professional or HMRC if you are paying the right amount of tax.

This content is sponsored and should be regarded as promotional material. Opinions and statements expressed herein are those of the author and do not reflect the opinions of The Daily Hodl. The Daily Hodl is not a subsidiary of or owned by any ICOs, blockchain startups or companies that advertise on our platform. Investors should do their due diligence before making any high-risk investments in any ICOs, blockchain startups or cryptocurrencies. Please be advised that your investments are at your own risk, and any losses you may incur are your responsibility.