Tag Archives: IRS

IRS Warns: Hundreds of Crypto Criminal Tax Cases Coming Soon; Hiring of 300 Special Agents Means More to Follow

By Scott Danielson, Christina Gotsis, Carlos Ortiz, Veronica Reynolds, Betsy Smith and Kayley Sullivan on November 16, 2022 Posted in Alert

The 2022 annual report from the IRS Criminal Investigations (CI) division (the Report) demonstrates an impressive year for enforcement, particularly with regard to cryptocurrency. Following the publication, CI Chief Jim Lee made clear that the division will continue to closely scrutinize crypto transactions. He warned: “Expect more outward-facing tax crypto cases here in the near … Continue Reading

The Tax Man Isn’t Leaving: The IRS Continues to Issue John Doe Summonses Relating to Virtual Currency Transactions

By Carlos Ortiz, Betsy Smith, Nicholas C. Mowbray, Christina Gotsis and Kayley Sullivan on October 3, 2022 Posted in Tax

On Sept. 23, 2022, a U.S. District Court judge approved an IRS John Doe summons served on a New York-based bank seeking account records, including account opening documents and records of deposits, withdrawals, transfers and wires, of clients who used sFOX for cryptocurrency services. The summons was issued in connection with partnered services the bank … Continue Reading

Crypto and NFT Firms Make Announcements; Treasury Interprets Crypto Reports; Crypto Enforcement Actions by CFTC, SEC, IRS, DOJ and States

By Robert A. Musiala, Maya Rivera, Keith R. Murphy, Alex Karambelas, Joanna F. Wasick and Jordan R. Silversmith on September 30, 2022 Posted in Blockchain

In this issue: Exchange Reaches Agreement to Sell Assets; New Crypto Products Launch Reports Provide New Data on Cryptocurrency Adoption and Exchange Activity Auction House Launches NFT Market; Startup Launches NFT Cloud Database US Treasury Further Interprets Reports Related to EO on Digital Assets CFTC Enforcement Action Targets DAO; SEC Targets Crypto Market Making IRS … Continue Reading

The Tax Man Is Back: IRS Issues First John Doe Summons in 2022 to Major Crypto Platform, Seeking Treasure Trove of Information on Tax Noncompliance

By Carlos Ortiz, Nicholas C. Mowbray, Christina Gotsis and Kayley Sullivan on August 22, 2022 Posted in Cryptocurrency, Tax

After going for more than a year without using one of its most powerful weapons, a John Doe summons, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has reverted to the use of this tool in its much-publicized efforts to investigate, find, and prosecute those who fail to report virtual currency transactions and those who facilitate not reporting. … Continue Reading

U.S. Bank Acquires Blockchain Infrastructure; SEC Approves Blockchain-Based Exchange; FTC Warns on Crypto Scams; NFT Threats, Crypto Hacks Reported

By Robert A. Musiala, Veronica Reynolds, Jordan R. Silversmith, Lauren Bass, Joanna F. Wasick and Keith R. Murphy on February 4, 2022 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency

In this issue: • U.S. Bank Seeks to Launch Stablecoin; New Crypto Payments Data Released • U.S. Bank Seeks to Launch Stablecoin; New Crypto Payments Data Released • FTC Warns of Crypto Scams, IRS Offers Staking Settlement; MAS Bans ATMs • Reports Address NFT Platform Exploits, Wash Trading and Money Laundering • SEC Scrutinizes Crypto … Continue Reading

Financial Firms Plan Decentralized Exchange, Launch Digital Bond; NFTs Launch in Sports, Fashion; Blockchain Tracing Solutions Launch; OCC Clarifies Crypto Guidance for Banks

By Robert A. Musiala, Kayley Sullivan, Keith R. Murphy, Lauren Bass and Joanna F. Wasick on December 3, 2021 Posted in Bitcoin, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Enforcement, NFTs

• US and Swiss Financial Firms Announce Decentralized Exchange, Digital Bond • Sports and Fashion NFTs Launch; Food Delivery Service Adds Bitcoin Rewards • Blockchain Solutions Track Data for Carbon Footprints, Medical Supplies, Wine • OCC Letter Clarifies Crypto Guidance for Banks, IRS Reports Crypto Seizures US and Swiss Financial Firms Announce Decentralized Exchange, Digital … Continue Reading

Financial Firms Launch New Crypto Products, NFTs Trending, Crypto Exchange Acquires Broker-Dealer, SEC, DOJ, IRS and CFTC Actions Target Crypto Actors

By Jordan R. Silversmith, Veronica Reynolds, Joanna F. Wasick, Keith R. Murphy and Robert A. Musiala on April 2, 2021 Posted in Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency

In this issue: • US Institutional Financial Firms, and Fintech Startups, Launch Crypto Products • Creative NFT Launches and Bitcoin Giveaways Continue To Trend • US Crypto Exchange Acquires Broker Dealer, SEC Action Targets Token Sales • US Enforcement Actions Target Cryptocurrency Darknet Activities and Fraud • DOJ and IRS Actions Target Crypto Tax Evaders, … Continue Reading

NFT Sales Launch, Fintech Firms Launch Crypto Initiatives, NY DFS Approves Crypto Firms, CFTC and IRS Target Crypto Crimes, DeFi Project Hacked

By Veronica Reynolds, Robert A. Musiala, Keith R. Murphy and Joanna F. Wasick on March 12, 2021 Posted in Cryptocurrency

In this issue: • NFTs Make Headlines, Global Payments Firm Launches Cryptocurrency Unit • Cryptocurrency Payment Options Expand Across the Globe • Cryptocurrency Firms Achieve NY DFS Approvals, IRS Launches Crypto Initiative • CFTC Action Targets Crypto Market Manipulation, DeFi Hacked for $31 Million NFTs Make Headlines, Global Payments Firm Launches Cryptocurrency Unit By: Veronica … Continue Reading

DOJ and IRS May Soon Begin Enforcement Actions Against Virtual Currency Tax Fraudsters

By John J. Carney, Andrew Serrao, Robert A. Musiala, Jeffrey H. Paravano and Nicholas C. Mowbray on October 22, 2020 Posted in Tax

In the past several years, the use and prevalence of virtual currency have increased exponentially. The proliferation of digital assets has changed the way goods and services are exchanged and has allowed for faster and cheaper transactions. But with this new technology comes the increased risk of fraudulent activity – especially tax fraud. Recently, the … Continue Reading

Foreign Regulators Issue Approvals and Guidance, SEC Enforcement Continues, Blockchain Trade Groups File Amicus Briefs, Reports Detail Terrorist Financing Risks

By Veronica Reynolds, Joanna F. Wasick, Teresa Goody Guillén and Simone O. Otenaike on January 24, 2020 Posted in Blockchain, ICOs, Securities & Exchange Commission

In this issue: • New Approvals From European and Thai Regulators, Canada and WEF Publish Guidance • SEC Targets ICOs, IRS Updates Crypto FAQs, UK Tax Agency Seeks Blockchain Analytics Tool • Chamber of Digital Commerce and Blockchain Association Weigh In on SEC v. Telegram • Reports Address Cryptocurrency Terrorist Financing Risks New Approvals From … Continue Reading

Alert: IRS Issues New Guidance and FAQs on Virtual Currencies

By Nicholas C. Mowbray, Robert A. Musiala, Betsy Smith, Laura E. Jehl and Brian Davis on October 10, 2019 Posted in Cryptocurrency

On Oct. 9, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued additional guidance regarding the taxation of cryptocurrency. The guidance comes more than five years after the IRS issued Notice 2014-21, the first and, until now, only official guidance regarding cryptocurrency. Revenue Ruling 2019-24 (the Revenue Ruling) reaffirms that virtual currency is treated as property and does … Continue Reading

Blockchain Applications for Enterprise and Payments Evolve, New Legislation Proposed, Mining Malware Surges and a Bitcoin Bug Is Fixed

By Robert A. Musiala, Jaime B. Petenko, Diana Stern, Heather K. P. Fincher and Brian P. Bartish on September 28, 2018 Posted in Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, ICOs

In this issue: • Blockchain Initiatives Pursue Solutions for Refugees, Voting, Smart Cities, Defense and Food Safety • Cryptocurrency Legal Developments: Tax, Proposed Legislation, AML and CFTC • Enforcement Actions Continue, Cryptomining Malware Surges, Token Values Fall • Blockchain Payments Products Advance, Investments Continue and a Bitcoin Bug Is Fixed Blockchain Initiatives Pursue Solutions for … Continue Reading