Tax ramifications, smart contracts, and job security are among the issues top of mind for accountants. Given blockchain’s rapid rise into the accounting consciousness, it is no surprise CPAs have many questions about the technology. This article addresses five of the most pressing concerns I encounter regarding blockchain, smart contracts, and cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin. To read the full article in the Journal of Accountancy, click: CPAs’ Top Five Questions About Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies.
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Where the IRS stands on the classification of Bitcoin and the purchases made with it has been ambiguous. There are a lot of questions surrounding the virtual currency, not the least of which is how it factors in tax matters. While Bitcoin operates like real currency in some situations, the fact still stands that it has no legal recognition as currency in any jurisdiction. In spite of this contradiction, the IRS has clearly stated, “In general, the sale or exchange of convertible virtual currency, or the use of convertible virtual currency to pay for goods or services in a real-world…