Trader Vs. Investor

	Traders		Investors
	buy and sell securities, commodities, etc. for their own account with the expectation of deriving profits as a result of frequent transactions over a short period of time by taking advantage of market fluctuations		buy and sell securities, commodities, etc.for their own account with the expectation of deriving profits from appreciation, interest and dividends over a long period of time
	Numerous trades Short holding periods Trade frequently, regularly & continuously Significant assets in the market Have an office File a Schedule C Significant time devoted to trading Little income from interest/dividends		Few transactions Long holding periods Seeks asset appreciation Receives interest and dividends Do not spend significant time on market research, although they may

TAX BENEFITS FOR TRADERS

The benefits listed below are available only to qualified traders and not to investors.

• Necessary trading expenses such as real time quotes, charting services, data feeds, online news services are 100% deductible on Schedule C totally bypassing the 2% and 3% itemized deduction limitations on Schedule A

• Trading seminar expenses and related travel, meals and entertainment are deductible

• Margin interest is fully deductible, as is other interest from debt used for trading capital

• Meals with other traders to discuss strategies or products are deductible subject to limitations

• Elect Section 179 for equipment purchased and placed in service in 2001and it can be expensed immediately (maximum limit of $24,000 for tax year 2001) rather than depreciated over several years. This election applies to business property such as computers, cell phones, office furniture and equipment, books, etc.or equipment purchased in 2001 and expense immediately up to $24,000

• Deduct 100% of direct and an applicable percentage of indirect home office expenses if IRS requirements are met.

• Traders can elect Section 475 Mark-to-Market Accounting Treatment opening up a variety of new tax reduction planning opportunities

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR TRADERS ELECTING IRC SECTION 475 MARK-TO-MARKET ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

• The $3000 limitation on deductible capital losses does not apply. Trading losses are transformed into ordinary income which are fully deductible with no limitation

• Net operating losses can be carried back 2 years to offset prior years' income and to obtain a refund of taxes paid on income in prior years

• Net operating losses created by ordinary trading losses can be carried forward to offset future income

• Deferred losses on wash sales are fully deductible against gains and cumbersome record keeping requirements related to wash sales are eliminated

• Easier to segregate and report investment profits (potential long term capital gains) from trading profits by using separate accounts

Traders | MTM Traders | Section 475 Election | Investors