The legislation would require crypto platforms to share user transaction data with tax authorities worldwide by 2028
Australia's Treasury has released a draft bill proposing adoption of the OECD's Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework, according to Cointelegraph. The framework, known as CARF, was designed by the OECD to extend automatic tax information exchange to digital assets. It mirrors the Common Reporting Standard already used for bank accounts and traditional financial products.
Under the proposed law, crypto exchanges, custodians, and certain other service providers operating in Australia would need to collect and report transaction data on their users. That data would then be shared with tax authorities in other countries that have also signed on to the framework, CoinTurk News reported.
The draft bill sets a target implementation timeline of 2028, according to crypto.news. That timeline gives industry participants several years to adjust compliance systems before reporting obligations take effect. It also aligns Australia with a broader international push toward standardized crypto tax reporting across dozens of jurisdictions.
CARF was developed by the OECD in response to concerns that crypto assets allowed taxpayers to shift wealth outside the reach of existing financial reporting regimes. More than 60 countries have already signaled intent to adopt the framework in some form. Australia's draft bill would formalize the country's commitment and define how local entities must comply.
The move fits into a wider pattern of governments tightening oversight of digital asset markets. Regulators in multiple regions have moved over the past two years to close gaps between crypto and traditional finance, particularly around tax compliance, anti-money laundering rules, and custody standards. Automatic information exchange has long been a cornerstone of international tax enforcement for bank deposits, and extending it to crypto reflects the asset class's growing size and mainstream use.
For Australian crypto businesses, the draft bill signals that new data collection and reporting infrastructure will likely become mandatory. Exchanges and custodians may need to verify customer identities and residency status more rigorously to meet CARF's data-sharing requirements. The legislation is still in draft form, meaning its final scope, reporting thresholds, and enforcement mechanisms could change before passage.
The bill will likely go through a public consultation period before Parliament considers final passage. That process typically allows industry groups, tax professionals, and consumer advocates to comment on technical details and compliance burdens. Given the 2028 target date, Australian authorities appear to be allowing a multi-year runway for both government agencies and private firms to prepare.
Market Impact
The draft bill is unlikely to produce immediate price effects on crypto markets, since it addresses tax reporting infrastructure rather than trading rules or asset classification. Its significance lies instead in signaling tighter compliance expectations for exchanges and custodians operating in Australia.
Over time, broader adoption of CARF-style reporting across OECD-aligned countries could reduce the appeal of using offshore or lightly regulated platforms to obscure crypto holdings from tax authorities. Exchanges that already operate across multiple jurisdictions may face increased compliance costs as they build systems to meet varying national deadlines tied to the same underlying OECD standard.
Australia's draft bill marks another step in the global effort to bring crypto tax reporting in line with standards long applied to traditional finance, with final details expected to take shape through further legislative review ahead of the 2028 target.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the OECD Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework?
CARF is an international standard developed by the OECD that requires crypto service providers to collect and share user transaction data with tax authorities across participating countries, similar to existing bank reporting rules.
When would Australia's crypto tax reporting rules take effect?
According to crypto.news, the draft bill targets implementation by 2028, giving businesses and regulators time to prepare compliance systems.
Who would be affected by the new reporting requirements?
Crypto exchanges, custodians, and other digital asset service providers operating in Australia would likely need to collect customer data and report it to the Australian Taxation Office for international sharing.
Is the bill final law?
No. It is a draft bill released by Australian authorities, meaning it is expected to go through consultation and parliamentary review before any final version is enacted.
Originally reported by AltcoinGordon, written by Liam Carter. Republished with permission.
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