Indian law enforcement agency DGGI wants $86M unpaid GST from Binance

• India demands $86 million in unpaid GST from crypto exchange Binance.
• Indian law requires 1% TDS on crypto transactions and 30% tax on profits.
• Binance plans to resume operations in India after being banned in January 2024 for noncompliance.

In a significant move, Indian authorities have demanded nearly $86 million in unpaid Goods and Services Tax (GST) from the cryptocurrency exchange Binance.

This marks a pivotal moment as it is the first instance of the Indian government levying a tax demand on any crypto exchange. It comes barely a month after India’s financial watchdog, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), imposed a 188.2 million rupees ($2.25 million) fine on Binance for violating India’s anti-money laundering (AML) rules.

India’s stringent crypto tax framework

The Directorate General of Goods and Service Tax Intelligence (DGGI) issued the demand on August 6, highlighting the rigorous enforcement of the country’s tax regulations on cryptocurrency transactions.

According to Indian law, all crypto service providers and investors are required to pay a 1% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on every crypto transaction, regardless of its value.

Additionally, a 30% tax is imposed on all profits derived from crypto investments. These regulations aim to ensure proper tax compliance and curb potential tax evasion in the burgeoning crypto market.

While Indian crypto exchanges such as WazirX and CoinDCX have implemented internal mechanisms to simplify tax obligations for their users, offshore exchanges like Binance have lagged in enforcing these requirements.

Recently, Binance, along with several other offshore crypto exchanges, faced a ban in India in January 2024 due to non-compliance with local regulations.

However, Binance has shown intent to resume operations in the region, contingent on settling its tax liabilities.

The DGGI’s notice underscores the government’s commitment to holding all market participants accountable, regardless of their geographical base. It signals a more stringent regulatory environment for crypto exchanges operating in India.

As Binance moves forward with plans to restart its operations after clearing its dues, this case sets a precedent for how India might handle similar situations with other offshore crypto platforms.

The coming months will be crucial for Binance as it navigates this complex regulatory landscape and strives to regain its foothold in the Indian market.