HMRC urges people who have made money on crypto to make crucial check or risk £100 penalty

Anyone with cryptoassets will need to declare any income or gains above the tax-free allowance on a tax return

Cryptoasset users are being urged by HMRC to check if they need to do a Self Assessment tax return, ahead of the deadline this month.

Failing to meet the deadline could result in an initial £100 fixed penalty and potentially extra charges.

HMRC said tax may be due if a person receives cryptoassets from employment, if they’re held as part of a trade, or they are involved in crypto-related activities that generate an income.

Tax may also be due when a person sells or exchanges cryptoassets, including:

The deadline to complete a Self Assessment tax return for the 2022 to 2023 tax year is January 31 this month.

With the use of cryptoassets growing, HMRC is urging people to avoid potential penalties and check if they are affected by the upcoming deadline.

People can check if they need to complete a tax return online using a free tool on Gov.uk.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “People sometimes forget that information about crypto-related income and gains need to be included in their tax return.

“Some people affected may not have had to do a tax return before, so it is important people check.

“With the Self Assessment deadline just a matter of weeks away, I am urging people not to put off completing it.”

Customers with cryptoassets will need to complete a Self Assessment tax return in pound sterling where:

People who are unable to pay the tax they owe in full can access support and advice on the government website.

It may be HMRC can help by arranging an affordable payment plan, known as Time to Pay, for those who owe less than £30,000. Time to Pay can be arranged by themselves online on Gov.uk.

HMRC considers a person’s reasons for not being able to meet the deadline, and those deemed to provide a “reasonable excuse” may avoid a penalty.

There are also additional penalties for paying late of five per cent of the tax unpaid at 30 days, six months and 12 months, and interest will be charged on any tax paid late.