Trump Considers Eliminating Income Tax—What It Means for Crypto

The New York Post recently reported that Donald Trump is reportedly considering eliminating income tax for all Americans. While this sounds like a dramatic and potentially game-changing policy, it’s worth taking the news with a pinch of salt. With the 2024 presidential election drawing near, candidates often make sweeping promises to sway voters. But could a complete income tax removal even be feasible?

Donald Trump is reportedly considering elimination of income tax for all Americans, per NYP.

Is this a good thing?

— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) November 4, 2024

Can the U.S. Afford to Remove Income Tax?

The idea of scrapping income tax has been a talking point in Trump’s rhetoric for some time, but the feasibility of this proposal is questionable. For the fiscal year 2023, individual income taxes accounted for approximately 51% of federal revenue, making it a critical source of funding for government operations, national defense, healthcare, and social services.

Trump has previously suggested alternative sources of funding, such as tariffs on imported goods. In June 2024, he reportedly proposed replacing income taxes with tariffs, an idea met with skepticism from economists. Funding the federal government purely through tariffs would not only fall short of covering expenses but could also strain international trade relationships and increase costs for American consumers.

While Trump’s call for drastic tax cuts aligns with his past tax policies, which favored lowering corporate and individual taxes, he has yet to present any concrete plan on how he would replace this lost revenue. The absence of detailed strategies raises questions about whether this proposal is a serious consideration or merely an election-season talking point.

Implications for Cryptocurrency Taxation

If Trump’s vision for eliminating income taxes were somehow realized, it could have a significant impact on cryptocurrency holders and investors. Currently, the IRS classifies cryptocurrency as property, meaning that any gains from selling, exchanging, or trading crypto are subject to capital gains tax. This can be particularly burdensome for investors who frequently trade digital assets.

Without an income tax system, it’s unclear how crypto transactions would be taxed. In theory, eliminating income tax could make the crypto market more appealing by reducing the tax burden on profits from digital assets. However, any such tax overhaul would likely require the IRS to reframe its policies around cryptocurrency to capture revenue from this growing asset class.

In contrast, Trump’s opponent Kamala Harris has stated that she would raise taxes on high-income earners, including on capital gains, a move that could increase the tax liability for crypto investors if implemented.

For crypto investors, the implementation of this policy could mean lower taxes on crypto gains, but without concrete plans, it’s too early to anticipate a new tax landscape.