India Hits Binance With $86M Tax Bill for GST Non-Compliance

India’s tax authorities have targeted Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, slapping it with an $86 million tax bill. This move underscores India’s intensifying efforts to regulate the crypto industry within its borders.

India Demands Tax Compliance from Binance

The Indian government, through the Ahmedabad unit of the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI), has issued a substantial tax notice to Binance. The exchange is accused of failing to register under the Indian Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework, resulting in a demand for $86,033,159 in unpaid taxes. The notice alleges that Binance collected fees from Indian customers trading in virtual digital assets (VDAs) without proper GST registration, highlighting a significant compliance gap.

Increased Scrutiny on Cryptocurrency Operations

Binance, which commands around 40% of the global cryptocurrency market and operates in over 150 countries, is now under intense scrutiny by Indian authorities. This action represents a bold step by India to assert regulatory control over international crypto platforms that serve Indian customers. The government’s move is part of a broader effort to integrate cryptocurrency operations into the country’s tax regime, ensuring that these entities adhere to local tax laws.

Also Read: Crypto Tax Update: No Changes for Virtual Digital Assets in Budget 2024

Implications for the Global Crypto Market

This tax notice to Binance marks a critical moment in India’s strategy to oversee the rapidly expanding virtual currency market. By holding Binance accountable, India aims to set a precedent for how other countries might regulate and tax global cryptocurrency exchanges operating within their jurisdictions. This development could have far-reaching implications for the global crypto industry, potentially influencing regulatory approaches worldwide.