New international reporting rules mean Inland Revenue will soon have access to crypto transaction data from around the world.

If you hold crypto assets, Inland Revenue will soon be able to see far more of your activity than it could in the past.

From 1 April 2026, a new international reporting regime will require crypto exchanges and platforms to report information about their users to their local tax authority. That information will then be shared between tax authorities, including Inland Revenue.

As a result, Inland Revenue will be able to obtain information about crypto transactions undertaken by New Zealand tax residents, even where overseas exchanges are used.

Why this matters

In the past, it has been difficult for tax authorities to identify crypto transactions, particularly when offshore platforms were involved.

The new reporting rules will make it much easier for Inland Revenue to identify taxpayers with crypto activity and check that the correct tax treatment has been applied.

If Inland Revenue identifies differences between reported crypto activity and what has been declared in a tax return, this could result in:

• additional tax being assessed
• use-of-money interest
• shortfall penalties

Is crypto taxable in New Zealand?

Yes. Inland Revenue treats crypto assets as property, so normal income tax rules apply.

A tax obligation may arise when you:

• sell crypto
• trade one cryptocurrency for another
• use crypto to purchase goods or services
• receive crypto as income, such as staking or mining rewards

Importantly, tax can apply even if the crypto is never converted back into cash.

What you should do

If you hold, or have previously traded, crypto assets and are unsure whether you have met your tax obligations, it may be worth reviewing your position.

If you would like assistance reviewing your crypto activity or understanding the potential tax implications, please get in touch with our team.

This article is general in nature and should not be relied on as specific advice.