scorecardresearchReward points, e-vouchers to stay out of crypto tax bracket: Report

Reward points, e-vouchers to stay out of crypto tax bracket: Report

Updated: 04 May 2022, 09:03 AM IST
TL;DR.

Given the wide definition of VDA, there were concerns that these assets could be subject to crypto tax 

These reward points are stored digitally in the wallet on the platform.

These reward points are stored digitally in the wallet on the platform.

India will exclude e-vouchers, points earned on cards on shopping and payments, and other such digital reward assets from the proposed tax on virtual digital assets (VDAs), reported The Economic Times.

The government is working on a set of rules that would be notified soon, two senior officials privy to the deliberations said, ET wrote.

Given the wide definition of VDA, there were concerns that these assets acquired through regular transactions could be subject to crypto tax as they have traits of VDAs.

“These will not be covered under the definition of VDAs, we will clarify…,” said one of the officials quoted above. A notification to this effect would be issued by the apex direct taxes body, the Central Board of Direct Taxes, shortly.

The current definition of VDAs covers items generated through cryptographic means “or otherwise”, making it wide in its application.

The incentives in the form of reward points are usually given by online gaming companies, payment systems, credit or debit cards, and ecommerce apps at the time of purchases through them.

These reward points are stored digitally in the wallet on the platform.

There are apprehensions that in view of the wide definition of VDAs, these could be interpreted to include loyalty points, airline miles, discount coupons, and digital bullion among others having virtual traits.

New Delhi rolled out a new tax regime applicable for cryptocurrencies from April 1 this year. Income from transactions in crypto assets now attracts a 30 percent tax and 1 percent tax is deducted at source (TDS) on transactions in such asset classes above a certain threshold.

Another official said the provision has a clause for the removal of difficulties and that can be used to issue a clarification if needed.

Tax experts say there was a need to clear the air on these issues. “As the current definition of ‘Virtual Digital Assets’ is very wide, it is imperative for CBDT to clarify some obvious exclusions like reward points on credit cards, airline miles, gift vouchers, online mutual fund transactions, etc,” said Sudhir Kapadia, National Tax Leader, EY.

 

First Published: 04 May 2022, 09:03 AM IST