How Do Profitable Traders Save on Their Taxes?

Stock trading is an up-and-down endeavor and investors can win big, lose it all or maintain an even keel. For those investors that achieve a high level of success and become profitable traders the next trick is to learn how to save on taxes. That can be a completely different game in and of itself. So what can you do to keep your tax bill down if you have been a profitable investor?

There are many strategies that successful investors employ to save on taxes, including deducting their home office expenses. Many traders work out of their home and that means they can deduct their work space, their electronic equipment and several other items. It could be as much as 10 – 20 percent of their home. This can be a very helpful deduction for investors as well as anyone who works out if their home.

Another smart move that successful traders make is to deduct their business travel, as well as their expenses for seminars and education. Many traders can also deduct their health insurance premiums. Retirement plan contributions can also be tax deductible if a trader qualifies for tax trader status. He/she also has to use an S-Corp or C-Corp management company to qualify. As for highly successful traders with a lot of income, they should consider a defined-benefit plan. These plans can allow for much larger tax-deductible contributions.

One other smart move is to save on taxes with long-term capital gains. If you hold an investment for 12 months or longer your capital gains tax rate is lower than when you sell an asset that you’ve held for less than a year. All of these steps are possible options for traders who want to cut back on their tax bill. You can contact GROCO to learn more about these and other tax-saving options. Call us at 1-877-CPA-2206

Posted in

Will Fewer Audits Lead to More Cheating?

There’s an old saying that cheaters never prosper. Of course, there are probably many people who have gotten away with cheating that would beg to differ. When it comes to taxes, however, it’s always best to avoid cheating. Surely, some people do get away with it, but if you ever get caught it could cost…

Could a Trust Be a Good Way for the Wealthy to Save on Taxes?

When you think of trusts, what comes to mind? While many people think of a financial account that is set up as part of an estate plan, there are a couple of little-known trusts that taxpayers, especially the wealthy, can use to help them save on their tax bill. These trusts are perfectly legal and…

How to Avoid Tax Preparation Scams

With so much to do and so many other important things to worry about, many people will be looking for help over the coming weeks and months with their income tax returns. While some people might just choose the first name they see to file their taxes, whom you choose can actually make a big…

What Steps Lead to an Effective Estate Plan?

Do you have an estate plan? A lot of people don’t, for a lot of different reasons. Some people would rather not discuss their death under any circumstances, other people think they are too young to worry about an estate plan, while others just don’t know, or aren’t, sure where to begin. However, it’s a…