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Tax-Loss Harvesting with Cryptocurrencies

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  • Lin William Cong
  • Wayne Landsman
  • Edward Maydew
  • Daniel Rabetti

Abstract

We describe the landscape of taxation in the crypto markets, especially that concerning U.S. taxpayers, and examine how recent increases in tax scrutiny have led to changes in trading behavior by crypto traders. We predict under a simple theoretical framework and then empirically document that increased tax scrutiny leads crypto investors to utilize legal 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

  • Lin William Cong & Wayne Landsman & Edward Maydew & Daniel Rabetti, 2022. "Tax-Loss Harvesting with Cryptocurrencies," NBER Working Papers 30716, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:30716
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    Cited by:

    1. Lin William Cong & Ke Tang & Yanxin Wang & Xi Zhao, 2023. "Inclusion and Democratization Through Web3 and DeFi? Initial Evidence from the Ethereum Ecosystem," NBER Working Papers 30949, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Kenneth J. Merkley & Joseph Pacelli & Mark Piorkowski & Brian Williams, 2024. "Crypto-influencers," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 29(3), pages 2254-2297, September.
    3. Katherine Baer & Ruud De Mooij & Shafik Hebous & Michael Keen, 2023. "Taxing cryptocurrencies," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 39(3), pages 478-497.
    4. Arindam Misra, 2024. "Tax Policy Handbook for Crypto Assets," Papers 2403.15074, arXiv.org, revised Oct 2024.
    5. Campbell R. Harvey & Daniel Rabetti, 2024. "International business and decentralized finance," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 55(7), pages 840-863, September.

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    More about this item

    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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