Crypto industry association sues Illinois to challenge 0.2% digital asset tax

According to CoinDesk, the Crypto Innovation Commission (CCI) and Blockchain Association (Blockchain Association) recently filed a civil lawsuit in Sangam County, Illinois, to officially join the legal challenge to the state's digital asset tax policy. The move comes on the heels of a lawsuit initiated by the Digital Chamber of Commerce (Digital Chamber) last month, and marks a further escalation of the industry alliance's rivalry.

The plaintiff alleges that the state's new tax law violates the US Constitution, the Illinois Constitution, and the Internet Tax Freedom Act. The source of the dispute is that the tax law requires entities that conduct business or provide services to residents in the state to pay a 0.2% digital asset transaction or storage tax if their annual income exceeds $100,000. Although lawmakers expect the measure to raise $60 million in the state budget each year, the plaintiffs said the move constituted a 'unique punitive treatment' for digital assets due to the lack of corresponding taxes on traditional assets, suspected of unjust allocation of resources through tax codes.