Level 4

Tax Trader Status and self employment tax

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
December 2, 2020
2 replies
14 views

Hello

One of my clients is a day trader. This year, in 2020 no less, he made $200K. He will file schedule C sole proprietor. He thinks that he doesn't have to pay self employment tax because he qualifies for the Trader Tax Status (TTS). I did some reading online and am not finding his claim to be true.

Does anyone have any knowledge of this TTS?

Thank you

This topic has been closed for replies.

BobKamman

Level 15

Gains and losses from selling securities from being a trader aren't subject to self-employment tax.

https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc429

Has he asked yet if he's eligible for an IRA or 401(k)? Because he'll need some retirement savings, with no Social Security credits earned.

M

mickeyAuthor

Level 4

Thank you so much for this.

He did ask for the retirement. I think he's qualified for SEP IRA or solo K based on this self-employment income then?

itonewbie

Level 15

@mickey wrote:
...One of my clients is a day trader. This year, in 2020 no less, he made $200K. He will file schedule C sole proprietor. He thinks that he doesn't have to pay self employment tax because he qualifies for the Trader Tax Status (TTS). I did some reading online and am not finding his claim to be true.

Agree with Bob. The facts and circumstances tests outlined in the link Bob provided are from case laws. His investment intent, nature of the income derived, as well as the frequency, extent, and regularity of his trading, when considered collectively, are more important than the $200k he made.

Not sure if Sch C treatment is his only objective. If deducting his expenses is all that he's looking for, that may just be it but MTM is often what traders aim for.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Still an AllStar

T

Terry53029

Intuit Community Champion

@mickey @itonewbie If your client has made a Mark-To-Market election, and is a qualified day trader he reports expenses on schedule C, does not pay se tax, but he reports gains and losses on 4797 sales of business property. He must have filed form 3115 and received approval from IRS, and I believe he can't do this the first year. You should do some research and not depend on comments on a forum as if you do it wrong there could be substantial penalties.

itonewbie

Level 15

@Terry53029 The reporting is as discussed above. And yes, the election must generally be made by the original due date of the return for the prior tax year.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Still an AllStar

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