At least three states in the US may soon allow bitcoin to be used to pay for taxes. The State of New Hampshire, New York and Utah have been considering introducing a bill that would make this possible. Each of these states have come up with their own slightly different versions on why this could be a great option and what would be the benefits.
Also Read: Bitcoin Taxes: Introductions, and the Basics
Mark K. Roberts, a representative from the Republican Party, last January witnessed the Utah state developing and introducing a bill to create a Council on Payment Options for State Services, which would research how Utah would go about accepting bitcoin as a valid payment method.
Last February the New Hampshire state republicans not only launched a bill proposing the state should officially accept bitcoin payments for fees and taxes, but also asked for a detailed plan on the possible implementation and acceptance of bitcoin by the 1st of July 2017.
“Implementation Plan for the State to Accept Bitcoin as Payment for Taxes and Fees. The state treasurer, in consultation with the commissioner of the department of revenue administration and the commissioner of the department of administrative services, shall develop an implementation plan for the state to accept bitcoin as payment for taxes and fees beginning July 1, 2017. The plan shall address any accounting, valuation, and management issues relative to the acceptance of bitcoin and shall identify an appropriate third party payment processor that will process bitcoin transactions at no cost to the state. On or before January 1, 2017, the state treasurer shall submit the plan to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, the house clerk, the senate clerk, and the state library… The Treasury Department states this bill requires the Treasury Department, in consultation with the Department of Revenue Administration and the Department of Administrative Services, to develop an implementation plan for the State to accept bitcoin as payment for taxes and fees beginning July 1, 2017. The Treasury Department states this bill will likely increase state expenditures because the Department has no familiarity with bitcoin cash operations and therefore cannot determine in advance how much time and effort will be required to become informed and address the areas of accounting, valuation, and management.”
However, This New Hampshire bill has been written having
a more advanced vision in sight; the benefits of officially bitcoin adoption in terms of leadership and the economy have been presented as being extremely important, with emerging technologies playing a growing role in the economy and culture. This will surely attract entrepreneurs and talent to the industry, and adds another option to merchants for accepting payments.
Soon after the New Hampshire state presented the proposing bill, democrats in New York City have also presented a bill with the intent of allowing any state resident to pay for their respective fines and fees using the digital currency.
This is the complete proof that digital currencies are becoming increasingly attractive to institutions and states since it has the immense potential to provide access to cheaper transactions, which is seen as one of the key factors that may lead state institutions to turn unfriendly towards bitcoin.
Transaction fees on credit cards are considered to be a pure waste for everyone, while credit card companies win millions of dollars every year. Because of this reason, Bitcoin is presented by these states as the perfect solution for a regulatory treatment at any level. States are looking seriously into adopting Bitcoin especially if it can save the government’s money Frauds and chargebacks are a real problem to effective payments and digital currency seems to have solved this problem. Now, Bitcoin is hitting the mainstream acceptance and as far as we know the benefits coming from this technology are starting to be recognized by several governments. This leaves me to say that bitcoin is already a huge success and fewer are the chances for it to fail.
What do you think about governments starting to accept bitcoin for paying taxes? Let us know on the comments bellow!