Chinese authorities have fined leading crypto mining hardware manufacturer Bitmain for tax-related violations, local media reported. The penalty comes amid increasing tax checks in the digital asset sector, according to information from the crypto community.
Bitmain Fined for Failing to Pay Income Tax on Behalf of Employees
One of the world’s largest producers of devices designed for cryptocurrency mining, Bitmain, has reportedly been fined for unpaid taxes. The news was spread on social media by Chinese crypto journalist Colin Wu, also known by his Twitter handle ‘Wu Blockchain.’
The company has allegedly failed to withhold and pay individual income tax on benefits provided to its employees such as travel subsidies. The amount, due under the Tax Collection and Administration Law of the People’s Republic, exceeds 16.6 million yuan (over $2.4 million).
Bitmain was notified by the Beijing tax authority about its obligations in August 2022, the publication further noted. However, the company has not yet withheld and paid the above-mentioned personal income tax, Sina Finance wrote.
In a subsequent tweet, Wu Blockchain pointed out that the Chinese government has stepped up tax inspections on the cryptocurrency industry since last year. According to the crypto blogger, bitcoin miners and large cryptocurrency traders have been specifically targeted.
Following China’s crackdown on crypto-related activities like mining in early 2021, Bitmain announced in October of that year that it was terminating deliveries of mining equipment to customers in the mainland. According to media reports, the Beijing-based company, which makes application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) mining rigs, was also considering moving most of its production elsewhere in the region.
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