This tax topic explains whether an individual who buys and sells securities
qualifies as a "trader in securities," and how traders must report the income
and expenses resulting from the trading business. In order to better understand
the special rules that apply to traders in securities, it is helpful to first
review the meaning of the term "investor," and the manner in which investors
report the income and expenses relating to their investment activities.
Investors typically buy and sell securities and expect income from dividends,
interest, or capital appreciation. Sales of these securities result in capital
gains and losses that must be reported on Form 1040, Schedule D (PDF), Capital Gains and Losses. Investors are
subject to the capital loss limitations described in section 1211(b), in addition
to the section 1091 wash sales rules. Investors can generally deduct the expenses
of producing taxable investment income. These include expenses for investment
counseling and advice, legal and accounting fees, and investment newsletters.
These expenses are deductible on Form 1040, Schedule A (PDF), Itemized
Deductions, as miscellaneous deductions to the extent that they exceed
2% of adjusted gross income. Interest paid on money to buy or carry investment
property that produces taxable income is also deductible on Schedule A, but
under section 163(d) the deduction cannot exceed the net investment income.
Commissions and other costs of acquiring or disposing of securities are not
deductible but must be used to figure gain or loss upon disposition of the
securities. An investor is not subject to self-employment tax. For more information
on investors, refer to Publication 550, Investment Income and Expenses.
Traders
Special rules apply if you are a trader in securities, in the business
of buying and selling securities for your own account. To be engaged in business
as a trader in securities, you must meet all of the following conditions:
- You must seek to profit from daily market movements in the prices of securities
and not from dividends, interest, or capital appreciation.
- Your activity must be substantial, and
- You must carry on the activity with continuity and regularity.
The following facts and circumstances should be considered in determining
if your activity is a securities trading business:
- Typical holding periods for securities bought and sold.
- The frequency and dollar amount of your trades during the year.
- The extent to which you pursue the activity to produce income for a livelihood,
and
- The amount of time you devote to the activity.
If the nature of your trading activities does not qualify as a business,
you are considered an investor, and not a trader. It does not matter whether
you call yourself a trader or a "day trader." Further, a taxpayer may be a
trader in some securities and hold other securities for investment. The special
rules for traders do not apply to the securities held for investment. A trader
must keep detailed records to distinguish the securities held for investment
from the securities in the trading business. The securities held for investment
must be identified as such in the trader's records on the day he or she acquires
them.
Traders report their business expenses on Form 1040, Schedule C (PDF), Profit or Loss From Business. The limit
on investment interest expense, which applies to investors, does not apply
to interest paid or incurred in a trading business. Commissions and other
costs of acquiring or disposing of securities are not deductible but must
be used to figure gain or loss upon disposition of the securities. Gains and
losses from selling securities as part of a trading business are not subject
to self–employment tax.
The tax treatment of sales of securities held in connection with a trading
business depends on whether a trader has previously made an election under
section 475(f) to use the mark-to-market method of accounting. If the mark-to-market
election was not made, then the gains and losses from sales of securities
are treated as capital gains and losses that must be reported on Form 1040, Schedule D (PDF). Both the limitations on capital
losses and the wash sale rules continue to apply. However, if the mark-to-market
election was timely made, then the gains and losses from sales of securities
are treated as ordinary gains and losses (except for securities held for investment
— see above) that must be reported on Part II of Form 4797 (PDF), Sales of Business Property. Further, neither the limitations
on capital losses nor the wash sale rules apply to traders using the mark-to-market
method of accounting.
In general, the mark-to-market election must be made by the due date (not
including extensions) of the tax return for the year prior to the year for
which the election becomes effective. The election is made by attaching a
statement either to your income tax return or to a request for an extension
of time to file your return. The statement should include the following information:
- That you are making an election under section 475(f) of the Internal Revenue
Code;
- The first tax year for which the election is effective; and
- The trade or business for which you are making the election.
Refer to the Form 1040, Schedule D Instructions for
further instructions on how to make the mark to market election.
After making the election to change to the mark-to-market method of accounting,
you must change your method of accounting for securities under Revenue Procedure
2002–9, as modified by Revenue Procedure 2002–19. In addition
to making the election, you will also be required to file a Form 3115 (PDF), Application for Change in Accounting Method. The procedures
for making an election are described in Publication 550 under the section
called "Special Rules for Traders in Securities". You may also refer
to Revenue Procedure 99–17.
