The IRS is positioning itself before the rise to the moon so they can get theirs

[JohnnyBTCSeed]

Wild speculation here but

If the IRS knows that bitcoin is going to the moon then of course they want to get the mechanism in place so they can get theirs.

Inside knowledge about the winkledinks ETF??

[greenlion]

You could just as easily argue the opposite, that the two items in the guidance document lock miners into income upfront on a basis that reflects the late '13 rally prices.

[JohnnyBTCSeed]

You sure could! 

Anyone else got any theories? Something with a twist perhaps?

[Bit_Happy]

The IRS will get a % of your USD gain, they are not collecting BTC.

[greenlion]

The IRS will get a % of your USD gain, they are not collecting BTC.

Incorrect, that is only for purchasing and selling Bitcoins themselves.

Mining and getting paid directly in BTC both have an income declaration component that's independent of taxing gains.