Court Allows IRS John Doe Summons For Bitcoin, Other Virtual Currencies

A federal court in the Northern District of California has entered an order authorizing the IRS to serve a John Doe summons on Coinbase Inc. The IRS goal is information about U.S. taxpayers who conducted transactions in a convertible virtual currency during 2013 to 2015. The IRS is seeking the records of Americans who engaged in business with or through, a virtual currency exchanger headquartered in San Francisco.

“As the use of virtual currencies has grown exponentially, some have raised questions about tax compliance,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo, head of the Justice Department’s Tax Division. “Tools like the John Doe summons authorized today send the clear message to U.S. taxpayers that whatever form of currency they use – bitcoin or traditional dollars and cents – we will work to ensure that they are fully reporting their income and paying their fair share of taxes.”

“Transactions in virtual currency are taxable just like those in any other property,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen.  “The John Doe summons is a step designed to help the IRS ensure people doing business in the emerging economy are following the tax laws and meeting their responsibilities.”