Canada to tax bitcoin transactions

Canada’s Revenue Agency says users of bitcoins are obligated to pay taxes on transactions using the alternative currency, the CBC reported.

The agency told the CBC that two tax rules apply to the digital currency, depending on how it’s used. Barter transaction rules apply to bitcoins used for goods or services, according to the report.  Bitcoins bought and sold for speculative purposes are subject to captial gains or income taxes, depending on the specifics of the case, the agency says.

The real-world implications are beginning to be felt, as one realtor in Saskatoon quoted in the story has listed houses priced in bitcoins. Read more >>