Cryptocurrency and Virtual Digital Asset (VDA) taxation in India became a defined regulatory reality from Financial Year 2022-23, with the introduction of Section 115BBH (flat 30% tax on VDA income), Section 194S (1% TDS on VDA transfers above ₹50,000 / ₹10,000), and the mandatory Schedule VDA in ITR. Whether you are a retail crypto investor, an active trader on Indian or foreign exchanges, a DeFi participant, an NFT creator or buyer, a crypto miner, a Web3 startup, a blockchain business, or an institutional fund — your cryptocurrency gains, income, and transactions in India are now squarely within the income tax net, with the Income Tax Department actively using AIS / TIS, exchange data, and blockchain analytics to identify non-compliance.
Our crypto consulting team provides end-to-end advisory covering VDA income computation and ITR filing with Schedule VDA, Sec 115BBH tax planning (no loss set-off, no carry-forward, no deductions except cost of acquisition), Sec 194S TDS compliance for exchange operators and peer-to-peer traders, GST on crypto services, FEMA / RBI compliance for overseas exchange holdings and remittances, NFT and DeFi income classification, Web3 business structuring, crypto fund setup, tokenomics advisory, PMLA / FIU-IND compliance for VASPs, and international crypto tax treaties for NRIs and global investors. We bridge the gap between blockchain technology and Indian law.
30%
Flat Tax on VDA Gains – Sec 115BBH
1%
TDS on Crypto Transfer – Sec 194S
Schedule VDA
Mandatory ITR Disclosure
FY 2022-23
VDA Tax Regime Effective From
Key Provisions & Regulations We Work Under
Sec 115BBH – 30% VDA Tax
Sec 194S – 1% TDS
Schedule VDA – ITR
Sec 2(47A) – VDA Definition
Sec 56(2)(x) – Crypto Gifts
FEMA 1999 – Forex / Overseas
GST on Crypto Services
PMLA / FIU-IND – VASP
RBI Circular – LRS
Sec 139 / AIS – Disclosure
FAQs on Crypto Tax & Consulting in India
How is cryptocurrency taxed in India under Section 115BBH?
From FY 2022-23 onwards, all income from transfer of Virtual Digital Assets (VDA) — including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and tokens — is taxed at a flat 30% under Section 115BBH, plus 4% health and education cess and applicable surcharge. The only deduction permitted is the cost of acquisition; no other expenses, no set-off of VDA losses against any other income (or even against other VDA profits), and no carry-forward of losses to future years.
Do I need to disclose crypto in my ITR even if I made a loss?
Yes — all VDA transactions (including loss-making trades, swaps, gifted crypto, staking rewards, and airdrops) must be disclosed in Schedule VDA of your ITR (ITR-2 for salaried / ITR-3 for business income). The Income Tax Department receives exchange data directly in AIS / TIS, and non-disclosure — even of loss transactions — can trigger a notice under Sec 133(6) or 148. Voluntary and accurate disclosure is always advisable.
What is the 1% TDS on crypto under Section 194S?
Section 194S requires 1% TDS to be deducted on the consideration for any transfer of a VDA exceeding ₹50,000 in a financial year (₹10,000 for specified persons — individuals with business turnover above ₹1 crore or professional receipts above ₹50 lakh). Indian crypto exchanges deduct this automatically. For peer-to-peer (P2P) trades, the buyer must deduct and deposit TDS using Form 26QE. The TDS credit appears in the seller's Form 26AS.
Can I set off my crypto losses against crypto profits or other income?
No — Section 115BBH explicitly prohibits setting off any loss arising from the transfer of a VDA against income from any other source, including profit from another VDA. For example, if you made a profit of ₹1 lakh on Bitcoin and a loss of ₹80,000 on Ethereum, you cannot net them; you pay 30% tax on ₹1 lakh and the ₹80,000 loss is simply lost. Losses also cannot be carried forward to future assessment years.
Is swapping one cryptocurrency for another a taxable event in India?
Yes — a crypto-to-crypto swap (e.g., exchanging Bitcoin for Ethereum) is treated as a "transfer" under the Income-tax Act and is a taxable event under Section 115BBH. The fair market value (FMV) of the cryptocurrency received at the time of the swap is treated as the sale consideration, and the cost of the cryptocurrency given up is the cost of acquisition. The gain (if any) is taxed at 30%.
Do I need to pay tax on crypto held on foreign exchanges like Binance or Coinbase?
Yes — Indian tax residents must disclose all foreign cryptocurrency holdings in Schedule FA (Foreign Assets) of their ITR, regardless of whether they have sold the crypto or not. Gains from sale of crypto on foreign exchanges are taxable in India under Section 115BBH. Failure to disclose foreign crypto assets attracts penalties under the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) Act — ₹10 lakh or more per undisclosed asset — and potential prosecution. FEMA compliance for the original remittance used to purchase must also be verified.
Is staking income and airdrop income taxable in India?
Staking rewards and airdrop income are taxable in India, though their exact characterisation is still evolving. Most tax advisors treat staking rewards received as income taxable under "other sources" (or as business income if staking is systematic) at the fair market value on the date of receipt. The subsequent sale of staked / airdropped tokens is taxed at 30% under Section 115BBH on the gain above the FMV already taxed at receipt. These transactions must be disclosed in Schedule VDA.
What are the VASP compliance requirements for crypto exchanges in India?
Following India's PMLA amendment in March 2023, crypto exchanges, custodians, wallet providers, and other Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) are required to register with the Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND), implement a full AML / KYC framework, file Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and Cash Transaction Reports (CTRs), maintain records, and comply with ongoing PMLA obligations. Non-registered VASPs are prohibited from operating in India and face penalties under PMLA.
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