PwC: Singapore’s Crypto Tax Break Will Drive Business

Asia Blockchain Review
August 6, 2019

A tax expert from PwC Hong Kong has said that Singapore’s proposed plan to waive the 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST) for digital currencies would be a boon for businesses related to the cryptocurrency industry, according to a report by Cointelegraph.

Singapore Proposes Waving GST for Cryptocurrency

Singapore’s Inland Revenue Authority revealed that it had been considering the GST exemption in July. If the law is approved, GST would be eliminated for cryptocurrencies from January 1st, 2020. The move would also mean major changes to token rules, as digital payment tokens are currently treated as a taxable supply of services. 

The draft document proposed changes to taxation rules as follows:

“The use of digital payment tokens as payment for goods or services will not give rise to a supply of those tokens; and (ii) The exchange of digital payment tokens for fiat currency or other digital payment tokens will be exempt from GST.”

Tailwinds for Asian Crypto Business, ICOs

According to a July 29th report by the South China Morning Post, PwC Hong Kong Tax Partner Gwenda Ho stated that the proposed GST waiver for cryptocurrencies would benefit blockchain businesses, cryptocurrency exchanges, and other crypto-related businesses.

Moreover, Ho added that if a token has the characteristics of a digital payment token according to Singaporean law, proceeds from initial coin offerings (ICOs) could also be exempt from GST. 

Nonetheless, she was quick to point out that Hong Kong businesses already benefit from the lack of sales tax in the special administrative region.

“While this proposal would improve Singapore’s competitiveness in its GST treatment on cryptocurrencies, Hong Kong in comparison is completely free of any sales tax so there is one less tax issue to be concerned about for cryptocurrency industry participants,” said Ho.

Source: https://cointelegraph.com


About Asia Blockchain Review

Asia Blockchain Review is the largest initiative for media and community building in Asia for blockchain technology. It aims to connect all blockchain enthusiasts on a regional scale and facilitate the technological foundation of blockchain through a range of group discussions, technical workshops, conferences, and consulting programs.

Our goal is to cultivate and encourage a collaborative community for our members to gather, share their experiences and endeavors in the blockchain space, and brainstorm the potential uses of blockchain technology.

Follow Asia Blockchain Review on:

    Related Article
    Blockchain Enables Verification of COVID-19 Immunity
    Given the virus is not going to disappear in a hurry and we are some time away from vaccinating the ...

    November 21, 2020

    Illicit Cryptocurrency Activity: A Concern
    Market regulators such as SEC has accepted cryptocurrencies as a financial instrument and are consta...

    November 20, 2020

    IBM Using Blockchain to Help Businesses Reopen during COVID-19
    IBM’s healthcare unit, IBM Watson recently announced that they will soon be launching an app to supp...

    November 20, 2020

    Canadian Pacific Railway Collaborates with TradeLens
    Canadian Pacific Railway recently collaborated with TradeLens in a bid to improve its efficacy as an...

    November 19, 2020

    We provide information about Asia Blockchain Review latest activities as well as global blockchain news and research. Subscribe to our Newsletter now or Contact us