India Bolsters Crypto Reporting Regime, Mandates Taxpayer Data

India has recently added crypto transactions to its reporting regime, requiring exchanges and other platforms to collect user tax-residency information and taxpayer-identification details. This move is part of India's efforts to hard-wire cryptocurrencies into a tax and information system that mirrors traditional finance.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) released a 198-page Guidance Note on July 24, 2026, which outlines how 'Reporting Crypto-Asset Service Providers' must capture and report crypto transaction data to the Income Tax Department. The guidance introduces a new reporting form: Form 167.

Starting April 1, 2027, India plans to begin automatic exchange of cross-border crypto data with other jurisdictions under the OECD's crypto standard. This means that Indian residents trading on offshore exchanges will have their activity mirrored back to India via data pipes.