Japanese crypto companies demand tax reforms from the government, arguing that the existing approach is incompatible with international tax regulations.

The proposals were made by the Japan Virtual Currency Exchange Association (JVCEA) and the Japan Cryptoasset Business Association (JCBA), who according to CoinPost produced a joint report calling for tax reform in 2023.

The organizations spoke to the media as well, outlining their objectives, which mostly focused on the need to streamline the crypto tax filing procedure. Additionally, it identified “inconsistencies” in the current system. The bodies also emphasized that cryptocurrency is crucial to the Web3 globe and that Japan’s approach is at odds with “overseas crypto asset tax schemes” i.e. international tax regulations.

Senior parliamentarians in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has established a Web3 taskforce, may be interested in the latter issue. In light of allegations that unnecessarily tight processes are driving businesses, talent, and capital offshore, the group has also discussed the necessity to review Japan’s crypto tax regulations. Leaders of the opposition have also stepped up their appeals for reform.

The main problem is that cryptocurrency is now categorized in tax returns as “other income.” This is very dissimilar from the situation in other nations, where cryptocurrency is typically subject to capital gains tax regulations. Profits from the crypto industry are frequently not taxed at all until cryptocurrencies are converted to currency.

However, the tax rate on cryptocurrency-related income in Japan (and under present regulations) is based on an individual’s overall income. As a result, higher earners may have to pay up to 50% of their income in cryptocurrency taxes.

Contrarily, dealing in foreign currencies is subject to a flat capital gains tax rate of 20%.

The JBCA said that their investor survey of over 26,000 persons revealed that the tax revisions it was recommending would actually result in “an increase in the number of taxpayers” and “not necessarily lead to a fall in national revenue” from taxes on crypto.

The organization, which primarily represents businesses involved in the cryptocurrency industry, asserted that “if things stay the same, the tax system will become a roadblock for the spread of crypto assets.” According to the organization, this would impede the “creation of products and services in Japan” and cause the nation to lag behind its counterparts in Asia, Europe, and the United States in the Web3 era i.e. the international Web3 community.

It would seem that Japanese crypto companies will have a hard battle in front of them.

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