Argentina Government Tells Citizens: Declare Your Crypto or Face Extra Taxes

The Argentinian government says citizens can avoid paying certain types of tax on their crypto holdings if they file declarations.

Per Criptonoticias , the government has amended money laundering laws to grant exemptions for Argentines who declare up to $100,000 worth of Bitcoin (BTC) and other tokens.

Argentina Government: Keep Your Crypto in This Country to Avoid Extra Taxes

The new legal change comes with several caveats (and possible hurdles). The tax exemption only applies to people who hold cryptoassets on the platforms of government-registered exchanges and wallet providers.

One of the package’s clauses explains that cryptoassets are considered to be “within Argentina” if they “are managed or held” on an exchange “registered with the National Securities Commission (CNV).” But the media outlet pointed out:

“There are [many] virtual wallets that operate internationally. These are not registered with the [CNV], and many Argentines use them.”

Another potential wrinkle is token valuation. The new document specifies that calculations of the USD value of coins must be accurate “as of market rates of December 31, 2023.”

Alternatively, taxpayers can make token valuations based on “acquisition value” “if they are greater” than the “market rates of December 31, 2023.”

This will pose potential problems for Argentina’s many stablecoin owners. Crypto experts in Argentina have reported that many citizens are hoarding tokens like USDT instead of dipping into “ meme coins lotteries.”

As such, the media remarked, “currently in Argentina the market value of [USD-pegged stablecoins] is a much higher price than official rates.”

Inflation Still Hurting Argentinian Savers

Many believe that Argentines are paying a massive premium on USD-pegged coins, and that some are paying up to 40% more than the market rate to obtain these coins.

This is due mostly to long-standing caps on foreign currency buying and rampant hyperinflation.

Failing to abide by the new law will be punishable under criminal law.

The measures were included in a new Fiscal Package unveiled by President Javier Milei on Friday.

The CNV has recently been given sweeping powers to regulate the Argentinian crypto sector. It responded by launching the Registry of Virtual Asset Service Providers (PSAV) in March this year.

The commission was responding to recommendations made by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), in a bid to “prevent money laundering and terrorist financing.”

Tax Bills Set to Mount for Argentine Crypto Holders?

Furthermore, declaring their tokens will not exonerate all Argentine crypto holders from paying taxes on their coins.

Instead, it will only mean that they escape a “special” additional tax on undeclared assets and earnings.

The nation’s Economy Minister Luis Caputo stated that “as long as” citizens move their coins “into the Argentine financial system and do not withdraw them before December 31, 2025,” they would avoid “special” tax levies.

The government has unveiled similar protocols for citizens who hold US dollars and other “foreign currencies.”

People who fail to file declarations could face tax bills worth between 5% and 15% of their tokens’ dollar value.

Milei has previously made numerous pro-Bitcoin statements . However, his central economic plan revolves around a plan to dollarize the Argentine economy and scrap the fiat peso .

He has stated that he wants to increase tax law adherence and crack down on money laundering and tax evasion.