MetaMask, the popular crypto wallet developed by ConsenSys, has dispelled speculations surrounding its alleged tax collection from cryptocurrency users. 

In an announcement made on May 22, the company on Twitter clarified that the rumors stemmed from a misinterpretation of the crypto wallet’s terms of service and were grounded in “inaccurate information.”

This response came in reaction to several Twitter posts that drew attention to a specific section of MetaMask terms of use.

MetaMask Tax Policy Explained

A tweet went viral, drawing attention to section 4.2 of MetaMask’s terms of use, which was interpreted as a change allowing the company to collect taxes. This sparked concerns within the cryptocurrency community, as users speculated that it could pertain to their personal income taxes.

BREAKING

METAMASK NEW UPDATE IN TERMS AND POLICY WILL WITHHOLD YOUR TAXES. DECENTRALIZATION IS DYING pic.twitter.com/wqpwAd2BQh

— Ash Crypto (@Ashcryptoreal) May 21, 2023

However, ConsenSys swiftly addressed the situation. The controversial tax section in the terms of service, according to ConsenSys, exclusively pertains to the company’s products and paid plans. It has no bearing on the taxation of on-chain crypto transactions carried out by users.

“MetaMask does not collect taxes on crypto transactions and we have not made any changes to our terms to do so,” the ConsenSys account wrote on Twitter. 

We are aware of tweets circulating with inaccurate information about ConsenSys’ terms of service.

Let’s clarify one thing upfront: MetaMask does NOT collect taxes on crypto transactions and we have not made any changes to our terms to do so.

This claim is false.

— ConsenSys (@ConsenSys) May 21, 2023

“Legal terminology can be complex, but it’s crucial to emphasize that this section does not apply to MetaMask or any other products that don’t involve sales tax,” it added.

Misinterpretation Corrected

The controversy surrounding the wallet’s alleged tax collection was largely driven by a misunderstanding of the company’s intention. The provision in question simply grants MetaMask the authority to withhold taxes as necessary for its own products and services, ensuring adherence to relevant regulations and compliance standards.

Luckily, not everyone succumbed to the circulating gossip, as certain members of the crypto community promptly discredited the claims. Among them was Twitter user printer_brrr, who criticized those who were tweeting about the tax clause without actually reading and comprehending its contents.

Moreover, some users swiftly refuted the notion that it was following in the footsteps of Ledger, a company that had recently faced backlash due to a controversial upgrade. The speculation surrounding MetaMask’s tax policy was quickly quashed by those who recognized the distinct differences between the two situations.

The swift debunking of these claims highlights the importance of thorough research and understanding in the crypto community. It serves as a reminder to approach information critically and avoid jumping to conclusions based solely on sensationalized rumors or misinterpretations.

-Featured image from PYMNTS