Day trading offers the potential for fast profits—but it also creates complex tax challenges. One of the most common questions traders ask is: What can day traders write off on their taxes? Unfortunately, many traders misunderstand IRS rules and miss legitimate deductions, or worse, trigger audits. This comprehensive guide explains day trader write-offs , including how trading losses are deducted, what expenses qualify, how Trader Tax Status ( TTS ) works, and when mark-to-market accounting can eliminate loss limitations. Whether you trade stocks, options, or futures, understanding these rules is essential for maximizing after-tax returns. How the IRS Classifies Day Traders The IRS does not automatically treat day traders as businesses. Instead, traders fall into one of three tax classifications: 1. Investor (Most Traders) Most retail day traders are classified as investors—even if they trade daily. Investors face strict limits on tax write-offs. 2. Trader With Trader ...
Penny stocks vs regular or blue chip stocks Penny stocks and regular stocks are usually traded differently due to the level of risk associated with penny stocks. Penny stocks are traded Over-The-Counter (OTC) or on Pink Sheets because most of them aren't eligigle to trade on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) market . Nonetheless, Penny stocks are known to have the ability to make traders lots of money in very little period of time. At the same time, penny stocks are known to be very risky. What's a penny stock? The name "Penny stock" may be confusing because they don't necessarily have to cost a penny in order to be a penny stock. A penny stock is any stock that's selling at $5 a share or less. To take it further, there are even some of them that are categorized as sub-penny stocks because they cost less than a penny per share. Why do some people prefer to trade penny stocks? Although there are so many cons associated with penny stocks, one cannot ignore...