On 27th April 2022 Revenue updated its guidance material to provide clarity on the tax treatment of transactions involving crypto-assets.  This latest publication also provides worked examples.

The terms “cryptocurrency” and “cryptocurrencies” are not defined.

The Irish Central Bank places cryptocurrencies, digital currencies, and virtual currencies into the same category of digital money. It is important to bear in mind, however, that although defined in this manner, these “currencies” are unregulated and decentralised which means that no central bank either guarantees them or controls their supply.

Throughout Revenue’s updated document the term “crypto-asset” is used, which includes cryptocurrencies, crypto-assets, virtual currencies, digital money or any variations of these terms.  Revenue state that the information contained in their most updated guidance is for tax purposes only.

Under Section TCA97 Ch4 s71–5, an individual who is resident in Ireland but not Irish domiciled is liable to Irish income tax in full on his/her/their income arising in Ireland, and on “non-Irish income” only to the extent that it is remitted to Ireland.

This is known as the remittance basis of taxation.

It’s important to keep in mind that the remittance basis of taxation does not apply to income from an office or employment where that income relates to the performance of the duties of that office or employment which are carried out in Ireland.

Section 29 TCA 1997 is the charging section for Capital Gains Tax.

s29(2) TCA 1997 states that a person who is Irish resident or ordinarily resident and is Irish domiciled is chargeable to Irish CGT on gains on all disposals (on his/her/their worldwide assets) arising in the year of assessment regardless of whether the gains are remitted to Ireland or not.

s29(4) TCA 1997 states that an individual who is Irish resident, or ordinarily resident,  but not Irish domiciled is chargeable on gains arising on disposals of Irish assets in the year of assessment as well as on remittances to Ireland in the year of assessment in respect of gains on the disposals of foreign assets.  In other words, an Irish resident/ordinarily resident but non domiciled individual is liable to Irish CGT on remittances in respect of gains arising on the disposal of assets situated outside the state.

From professional experience, the location of the crypto asset is often difficult to prove.

According to Revenue’s most recent publication:

“… where a crypto-asset exists ‘on the cloud’, it will not actually be situated anywhere and therefore, cannot be
viewed as ‘situated outside the State’.”

If the crypto-asset isn’t located anywhere and isn’t, therefore, considered to be a “disposal of an asset outside the state” then the remittance basis of taxation does not apply and the gain arising will be liable to Irish Capital Gains Tax based on the residency rules of the individual.

As you can see, it is very much the responsibility of the taxpayer to be able to prove the location where the gain arose on the disposal of the crypto-assets.

Revenue have outlined their record keeping provisions in relation to all taxes as follows: https://www.revenue.ie/en/starting-a-business/starting-a-business/keeping-records.aspx

In situations where the records are stored in a wallet or vault on any device including a personal computer, mobile phone, tablet or similar device, please be aware that these records must be made available to Revenue, if requested.

As with all taxes, full and complete records must be retained for six years in accordance with legislation. It is important to keep in mind that these provisions apply to all taxpayers, including PAYE only taxpayers.

For further information, please follow the link: https://www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/income-tax-capital-gains-tax-corporation-tax/part-02/02-01-03.pdf

Please be aware that the information contained in this article is of a general nature.  It is not intended to address specific circumstances in relation to any individual or entity. All reasonable efforts have been made by Accounts Advice Centre to provide accurate and up-to-date information, however, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate on the date it is received or that it will continue to remain so.. This information should not be acted upon without full and comprehensive, specialist professional tax advice.

Today, 14th April 2022. the Irish Revenue published guidance (Revenue eBrief No. 090/22) on the tax treatments of Ukrainians, who continue to be employed by their Ukrainian employer while they perform the duties of their employment, remotely, in Ireland.

The Guidance material outlines a number of concessions which will apply for the 2022 tax year.

PAYE

As you’re aware, income earned from a non-Irish employment, where the performance of those duties is carried out in Ireland, is liable to Irish payroll taxes irrespective of the employee’s or employer’s tax residence status. However, by concession, the Irish Revenue are prepared to treat Irish-based employees of Ukrainian employers as not being liable to Irish Income Tax and USC in respect of Ukrainian employment income that is attributable to the performance of duties in Ireland.

Ukrainian Employers will not be required to register as employers in Ireland and operate Irish payroll taxes in respect of such income.

Please be aware that this concession only relates to employment income which is (a) paid to an Irish-based employee (b) by their Ukrainian employer.

In order for the above concessions to apply, two conditions must be met:

1. The employee would have performed his/her/their employment duties in Ukraine but for the war there and
2. the employee remains subject to Ukrainian income tax on his/her/their employment income for the year.

Corporation Tax

The Irish Revenue will disregard for Corporation Tax purposes any employee, director, service provider or agent who has come to Ireland because of the war in Ukraine and whose presence here has unavoidably been extended as a result of the war in Ukraine.

Again, such concessionary treatment only applies in circumstances where the relevant person would have been present in Ukraine but for the war there.

For any individual or relevant entity availing of the concessional tax treatment, it is essential that he/she/they retain any documents or other evidence, including records with the individual’s arrival date in Ireland, which clearly shows that the individual’s presence in Ireland and the reason the duties of employment are carried out in the state is due to the war in Ukraine.  These records must be retained by the relevant individual or entity as Revenue may request such evidence.

For further information, please follow link: https://www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/ebrief/2022/no-0902022.aspx

Please be aware that the information contained in this article is of a general nature.  It is not intended to address specific circumstances in relation to any individual or entity. All reasonable efforts have been made by Accounts Advice Centre to provide accurate and up-to-date information, however, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate on the date it is received or that it will continue to remain so.. This information should not be acted upon without full and comprehensive, specialist professional tax advice.

Today the Irish Government announced the following measures to help with the rising costs of energy, in addition to the cost of living measures of €2 billion which were previously announced:

• A temporary reduction in the rate of VAT on the supply of gas and electricity, from 13.5% to 9%, from 1st May until 31st October (at an estimated cost of €46 million to the Exchequer).
• An additional once off €100 lump sum to households eligible for the fuel allowance (for an estimated 370,000 recipients).
• A further reduction of 2.7% per litre in the excise levy on marked gas oil or green diesel.
• The reduced rates of excise duty on petrol (20 cents per litre), diesel (15 cents per litre) and green diesel (2 cents per litre), which were announced last month, will be extended to Budget Day at the end of August (at a cost of €80 million to the Exchequer).

The Minister for Finance also confirmed that the Public Service Obligation (P.S.O.) Levy will be set to zero by October 2022.

For full information, please follow link:  https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/0a129-government-announces-further-measures-to-help-households-with-rising-cost-of-energy/?_cldee=lcXqBawaGsFsOWw3I_ME4giIjrsplWXd-72lcBtEruyHtX5gNJK0C75jcfN8DtDRoL9I-M69U5_UiLjbKHtHpQ&recipientid=contact-baa265b900fae71180fd3863bb3600d8-34a5f9f973f64e0ead12cc385e40b831&esid=f492a4af-0abc-ec11-983f-6045bd8c5c09

Please be aware that the information contained in this article is of a general nature.  It is not intended to address specific circumstances in relation to any individual or entity. All reasonable efforts have been made by Accounts Advice Centre to provide accurate and up-to-date information, however, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate on the date it is received or that it will continue to remain so.. This information should not be acted upon without full and comprehensive, specialist professional tax advice.