How is crypto taxed in Chile?

Crypto tax in Chile follows the ordinary income tax law, applied through guidance from the Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII). There is no special crypto rate. A profit from selling crypto is income, and for most individuals it is taxed under the Impuesto Global Complementario, the progressive personal income tax, as of October 2026.

How does Chile cryptocurrency tax work for individuals?

The SII says that for an individual who does not hold crypto through a business, the taxable gain is the sale price minus the tax cost. The tax cost is what was paid, adjusted by the change in the consumer price index between the month before buying and the month before selling. The gain is taxed only when received, under the Global Complementario for residents or the Impuesto Adicional for non-residents.

Exchange fees are treated differently by type of taxpayer. Individuals who do not keep full accounts cannot deduct commissions included in the purchase price, the SII says, while companies under certain regimes can deduct them as a necessary expense. Sole proprietors who assign crypto to their business pay first category tax as well, with a credit against the Global Complementario. Good records of purchase costs matter here, as explained in crypto cost basis.

Do Chile tax laws on crypto cover foreign exchanges?

Yes. The SII says people resident or domiciled in Chile pay tax on income from any source, in Chile or abroad, so gains on foreign exchanges must be declared. PwC notes one exception for newcomers. Foreigners are taxed only on Chilean-source income during their first three years of residence, after which worldwide income is taxed.

The SII also says selling crypto is not subject to VAT, because crypto has no physical form and the VAT sale rules require tangible goods.

How does the SII track crypto?

Through platform reporting and audits. In September 2025 the SII issued two resolutions. One requires Chilean crypto service providers to report users who are tax resident abroad, under the OECD's Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework. The other requires them to report Chilean users, their transactions and wallet addresses. First filings were due by June 30, 2026.

The SII said it had closed 13 crypto audits, involving undeclared crypto payments, informal exchanges, mining, influencers and people who could not document their costs. Its detection drew on platform filings, income tax returns, imports of mining equipment and public information.

Is bitcoin legal in Chile?

Yes. The SII says crypto is not legal tender, currency or foreign exchange in Chile, but owning and trading it is allowed, and platforms are registered under the fintech law. The rules are set out in is crypto legal in Chile, and other countries in crypto tax around the world.

Rules differ by country and change often. Check the SII or a qualified professional for your own situation.