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Tax-loss harvesting with cryptocurrencies

Author

Listed:
  • Cong, Lin William
  • Landsman, Wayne
  • Maydew, Edward
  • Rabetti, Daniel

Abstract

We describe the taxation landscape in the cryptocurrency markets, especially concerning U.S. taxpayers, and examine how recent increases in tax scrutiny have led to changes in crypto investors' trading behavior. We argue conceptually and then empirically document that increased tax scrutiny leads crypto investors to utilize conventional tax planning with tax-loss harvesting as an alternative to non-compliance. In particular, domestic traders increase tax-loss harvesting following the increase in tax scrutiny, and U.S. exchanges exhibit a significantly greater amount of wash trading. Additional findings suggest that broad-based and targeted changes in tax scrutiny can differentially affect crypto traders’ preference for U.S.-based exchanges. We also discuss other gray areas for tax regulation related to new crypto assets, such as Non-Fungible Tokens and Decentralized Finance protocols, that further highlight the importance of coordinating tax policy and other regulations.

Suggested Citation

  • Cong, Lin William & Landsman, Wayne & Maydew, Edward & Rabetti, Daniel, 2023. "Tax-loss harvesting with cryptocurrencies," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 76(2).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jaecon:v:76:y:2023:i:2:s0165410123000319
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jacceco.2023.101607
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Bitcoin; Cryptocurrencies; DeFi; IRS; NFT; Regulation; Taxation; Trading behavior;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • G18 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G29 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Other
    • K29 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - Other
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance

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