Crypto taxation in Cyprus

[Medcalf2702]

I live in Cyprus and have some questions regarding taxation of crypto and Fiat transfer from banks to exchanges.

Can someone here confirm that crypto to crypto transaction is not a taxable event here in in Cyprus?

I spoke also with an accountant that said another possibility is to buy crypto using CFD because then you are not owning the crypto but someone is buying on your behalf. And then no capital gain tax.

Would also like to know if anyone has any experience of sending large amount of fiat in and out of exchanges to bank accounts from Cyprus or another country. What is the best way to do this? I have experienced a lot of diffficulties regarding this.

 

[CyprusLawyer101]

Sending fiat from exchanhes to Cyptus banks is almost impossible.
Also what yout accountamt is‌ saying is probably wrong. CfD's are not taxable subject to the underlying asset being part‍ of a pre - determined list of financial instruments and crypto/bitcoin is not. So normally⁠ there is a risk of taxation there.

 

[TheCryptoAnt]

Crypto is NOT⁠ included in the list of assets the law stipulates (I cant remember which year the⁤ law is from but kinda old), however most people treat them the same as stocks⁣ in the tax reporting and so far the rev department hasnt said anything.

Not saying⁢ its legal, just saying this is how things are currently playing.

Unnecessary imo but I'm not a Cyprus︃ lawyer (nor accountant)

As far as I know, no bank in︅ Cyprus allows this flow type.

Off-ramp the crypto︇ outside of Cyprus, then move the money to Cyprus.

 

[Medcalf2702]

Thank you for the replies, really appreciate it.

So most people just report it as‌ stocks? Has anybody here had difficulties with that?

I have moved to cyprus from another‍ country and i have to report all my assets and earnings to them for 3⁠ more years.
They have a double tax treaty agreement so i can follow cyprus rules.⁤ It is not possible for me to report it as stocks.

 

[CyprusLaw]

Hi,

Banks in Cyprus will not accept the funds (bar some exceptions), there are⁢ EMIs of course both in Cyprus and abroad and also banks abroad that are crypto︀ friendly and for which we could assist. Happy to send a PM for this.

 

[Medcalf2702]

Thanks for reply, please PM me

 

[curiousmarv]

There are no laws or better to say no regulation regarding crypto in Cyprus.
It's in a total grey area and every accountant and lawyer has different opinions which are‌ not backed by the law.

But what is for sure is that crypto CAN NOT‍ be handled equivalent to stocks (they are simply no stocks).

I know from various companies⁠ who deal with crypto professionally in Cyprus that they see earnings from crypto as profit.⁤ To be on the safe side they tax profits from crypto with 12.5% corporate tax⁣ to have a record of paid taxes on them. If you apply the same logic⁢ to a private person then crypto is taxable like personal income which means up to︀ 35% income tax.

So this leaves us with two options:

• So the people who play︁ it safe use crypto only in companies in Cyprus and pay 12.5% corporate tax on︂ it.
  
• All other people simply do not declare crypto (but no legal backing). They all︃ hope that when crypto laws are finally happening that they are not enforced retroactively. There︄ has been draft crypto laws in the last Cyprus governments but it seems Cyprus is︅ too fearful going forward with its own crypto laws without legal backing and support from︆ EU, European central bank, Cyprus central bank etc etc. (many parties involved as you see)︇
  

Two other solutions to the problem:

• If you take crypto seriously you do crypto with︈ with an offshore company (with substance) in a country with well defined crypto laws (UAE&Dubai︉ is a famous example) and not in Cyprus.
  
• Or you should not be a Cyprus︊ tax resident if you want to do crypto privately.
  

 

[zaybxc]

As crypto is not regulated then swapping between cryptos don't generate tax events (it's been said︌ several times on this forum and got confirmation by a Cypriot accountant), wouldn't it be︍ a good option trying to privately increase one's crypto capital swapping cryptos on decentralized exchanges︎ and open a company to cash out when the bull market comes?

 

[Medcalf2702]

You can swap to USDT on centralized exchanges also.

I got different opinions from accountants,‌ some say you can swap from crypto to crypto and this will not be a‍ taxable event. Others say you can buy coins using CFD, but i think the safest⁠ way will be to buy your coins private and then transfer them to you’re company⁤ and sell from there if you have any significant gain.

 

[zaybxc]

That's what I think too.
No need to spend money to⁠ run a company during a bear market like it is now when you can swap⁤ crypto without tax implications.

 

[Thomas67]

Couldn't the transfer of crypto to a new company be considered as tax event in⁢ Cyprus?

Ok, has been answered in another thread.

 

[Siggi]

Did you find a solution in the meantime or how︂ are you declaring your crypto profits in Cyprus?

 

[Matade]

If in practice most accountants treat crypto like stocks and ETFs,⁣ does this mean that with non-dom status you can cash out crypto in Cyprus without⁢ paying the 17% Special Contribution Tax, only paying GESY, which is capped?

 

[lavel]

So you better⁤ send them from exchange to say Wise and then to the Cyprus bank ?

 

[Thomas67]

Why would⁠ they consider crypto (to fiat) as stocks and ETFs? Could also depend on the nature⁤ of the operations (investing vs trading)
I guess accountants don't hold any responsibility in terms⁣ of tax filings either...

 

[CyprusLawyer101]

Obviously transferring through a normal EMI/Bank before reaching‍ Cyprus helps, however you still have to satisfy the source of funds question. If those⁠ are large amounts you could consider structuring to re-characterize the income into something else, like⁤ dividends etc.

 

[TheCryptoAnt]

no idea⁠

 

[luap]

You would have to do something like this‍ regardless of taxes. Cypriot banks are allergic to Crypto.

 

[ImKing]

Are there still no Cyprus banks accepting the reality of cryptos?