Is this just an attempt to guilt people into paying taxes on their bitcoins? Turbotax is obviously acknowledging that bitcoins exist.. but who else is? What does the IRS think of bitcoin ?
Guilt people into paying taxes? I suppose that's one way to look at it. You can declare your bitcoin earnings or not, as you see fit, but if you don't, and you get audited, be prepared to pay the consequences. Income tax evasion is a serious crime.