Paying Employees in Cryptocurrency? Don't Forget Employment Taxes, Sep. 30, 2021

The IRS released a reminder last week for business clients who opt to pay employees in cryptocurrency. Employers who choose to pay wages in cryptocurrency should remember that their choice of payment method is immaterial when it comes to calculating employment taxes. Employment taxes must be paid on the fair market value of cryptocurrency paid as wages, measured using U.S. dollars on the date the employee receives the payment. The fair market value is subject to FICA, FUTA, and federal income tax withholding--and must be reported on the employee's Form W. Wages paid in cryptocurrency may also be reportable for state income tax purposes. Employers are liable for these wages, so it's important that small business clients who opt to pay employees in increasingly popular virtual currency be aware of their withholding and reporting obligations. For more information on cryptocurrency paid as wages, see Q 7725.