INDIA: India’s Harsh Crypto Tax Under Review: CBDT Considers Major Policy Reset

India’s stiff 30% crypto tax has been one of the biggest hurdles for traders and exchanges, driving volumes overseas and forcing many firms to relocate.

However, with global peers moving toward progressive regulation, New Delhi may finally be softening its stance.

According to local reports, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), India’s top tax body, has started consultations with crypto companies and stakeholders to explore a more workable tax policy.

CBDT Seeks Industry Feedback
CBDT has sent a detailed questionnaire to Indian crypto exchanges and service providers, asking for feedback on how existing rules have shaped the market.

Among the key questions:

Should India draft a new, comprehensive crypto law?
Is the 1% TDS on every trade excessive?
Has the flat 30% tax killed liquidity in the market?
Are offshore exchanges enjoying unfair advantages over local players?

The CBDT is also gathering data on how much trading volume has shifted overseas since 2022, when the tax was first imposed, and what the biggest challenges are in complying with TDS requirements.

This consultation signals a potential shift away from punitive taxation toward clearer, more sustainable regulation—something the Indian crypto industry has been hoping for.

Is It Too Little, Too Late?
While the outreach is a positive sign, critics argue India’s crypto industry may already be lagging behind.

Most major Asian economies are advancing with supportive legislation—Hong Kong and Japan have stablecoin frameworks in place, while South Korea and Thailand are working on their own.

By contrast, India is still debating whether its current tax regime is stifling innovation. Since 2022, the country has collected significant revenues from crypto traders, but at the cost of liquidity and innovation moving abroad.

Even neighboring Pakistan, once skeptical of crypto, has legalized Bitcoin mining and is exploring a national BTC reserve. With global adoption accelerating, the pressure is mounting on India to adapt before it loses out further.

9 August 2024

CITIZENSHIP: Spain to scrap ‘golden visa’ scheme for non-EU citizens in blow to British expats

Spain is to scrap a “golden visa” scheme that grants residency rights to foreigners who make large investments in real estate. Ending the scheme would help make access to affordable housing

Read More
13 December 2024

GLOBAL TAX: Wealth tax will raise revenue without burdening lower-income groups, say activists

A wealth tax is an effective way of raising much-needed revenue without imposing additional tax burdens on middle and low-income groups, says an alliance of Asian activist groups calling for the tax

Read More
4 April 2025

US: Almost all wealth is owned by top 50% of Americans. Tax cuts may deepen divide, experts say.

A recent snapshot of U.S. wealth from the Federal Reserve depicts a nation where the top 50% of households controls 97.5% of the country’s assets — a lopsided distribution that experts say could

Read More
21 March 2025

NEW ZEALAND: Government proposes tweaks to the Foreign Investments Funds tax regime to keep wealthy migrants in New Zealand

The Government is committing to tweaking controversial tax rules to encourage wealthy foreigners to stay in New Zealand. It is proposing to make an initial change to the Foreign Investment Fund (FIF)

Read More