Are Gold Coin Sales Reportable to IRS?
Many investors can become confused when it comes to understanding IRS bullion sales rules, cash reporting requirements and Federal Forms 1099B and 8300. Unscrupulous dealers take advantage of this confusion to sell overpriced coins to investors.
Market participants selling precious metal investments for profit in the US must file income tax returns to report them, including gold coins and silver ingots sold for profit. This article outlines reporting guidelines.
What is a reportable transaction?
Purchase of precious metal coins or bullion with cash is considered a reportable transaction by the IRS due to their high-risk potential for money laundering and tax evasion, so it is crucial that buyers understand all rules associated with reportable transactions prior to making any purchases.
Example: Purchasing gold with $10,000 cash at a coin shop would constitute a reportable transaction, while paying with cashier’s checks would not.
Precious metal dealers must report all transactions involving cash payments of more than $10,000 that exceed $10,000 to prevent money laundering and tax evasion. When considering purchasing precious metals, be aware of any applicable reporting or 8300 forms requirements as these could have an effect on both your buying experience and ability to acquire coins that meet your criteria.
What coins are reportable?
The IRS mandates coin dealers to report sales of coins and bullion products that fall on their Reportable Items List, such as 1 oz Gold Maple Leaf coins, Gold Krugerrands and Mexican Onza coins with quantities of 25 or more pieces per transaction; also included is 90% silver US coins worth $1,000 in face value quantity – American Silver Eagle sales don’t need to be reported by dealers at all.
Government reporting requirements exist so as to detect money laundering. Banks use currency transaction reports if customers deposit more than $10,000 at once into an account; dealers often do not accept large payments in cash when selling bullion; however, this does not entail capital gains taxes for your purchases.
What is a cash reporting transaction?
When selling precious metals, dealers are required to file IRS Form 8300 reports on each transaction they complete, so the IRS can keep an eye on large cash transactions and monitor any instances of tax evasion or money laundering within the US. Furthermore, this reporting requirement serves to track substantial commodity exchanges across the nation, protecting consumers against untrustworthy dealers who attempt to scam them out of their coins.
The IRS has specific policies regarding when precious metal dealers must report customer sales of precious metal products to them; it varies based on each product sold and purchase type. Pre-1965 American Gold Eagles are one of several bullion coins which typically trigger 1099-B filing, while privately minted Silver Eagles and 1-oz Gold Maple Leaves do not require reporting. It is always wise for customers to consult a tax professional when making any purchase or sale to protect against penalties or evasion charges from the IRS.
What is a non-cash reporting transaction?
Non-cash reporting transactions refers to any payment made with non-cash monetary instruments that do not fall within the expanded definition of “cash” in Section 6050I. For example, if an individual purchases a large-screen TV from a consumer electronics dealer for $11,000 and pays with United States currency and cashier’s check in an amount equaling $6,200 then that dealer must report this sale using Form 8300.
Per Internal Revenue Code regulations, cash refers to coins and currency from both the US and foreign countries as well as cashier’s checks, bank drafts and traveler’s checks with face values of $10,000 or less received in transactions designated for reporting (such as retail sales of consumer durables, collectibles or travel/entertainment activities), or transactions where an instrument used to avoid reporting is known by its recipient. We suggest practitioners assist their clients implement education, procedures and controls related to cash reporting in order to protect against penalties associated with noncompliance.
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