⭐ Start Here · Foundation
The Ultimate Guide to Trader Taxes (2026)
Everything you need to know about trader taxation — TTS qualification, capital gains, MTM elections, wash sale rules, entity structures, and every major deduction category. The definitive reference for active traders.
🏛️ Entity Setup · Prop Firms
Why Prop Firm Traders Need an LLC (or S-Corp)
Apex, TopStep, Tradeify — running prop income through an LLC + S-Corp election can save $5K–$25K/yr in SE tax, protect every eval-fee deduction, and keep the IRS off your back.
🏢 Prop Firm Taxes
How to File Taxes for Prop Firm Trading
Apex, TopStep, Tradeify, FTMO — how each firm's payouts are taxed, how to report them correctly, and what happens without a 1099.
🏢 Prop Firm Taxes
Can You Deduct Prop Firm Evaluation Fees?
Yes — even failed evaluations. How to correctly deduct challenge fees, monthly subscriptions, and reset fees from every firm.
🏢 Prop Firm Taxes
Apex Trader Funding Taxes: How to File & Save
How Apex payouts are taxed, 1099-NEC reporting, eval fee deductions, and strategies to reduce SE tax on your Apex income.
🏢 Prop Firm Taxes
TopStep Taxes: How to File TopStep Payout Income
How TopStep payouts are taxed. 1099-NEC reporting, Trading Combine vs Express Funded deductions, and quarterly tax planning.
🏢 Prop Firm Taxes
Tradeify Taxes: How to File Tradeify Income
How Tradeify payouts are taxed. Variable 1099 issuance, Schedule C reporting, deductions, and entity structure strategies.
🏢 Prop Firm Taxes
Lucid Trading Taxes: No 1099 — Still Taxable
Lucid doesn't send a 1099, but all payouts are taxable. How to track, report, and file taxes on Lucid Trading income.
🏢 Prop Firm Taxes
Alpha Futures Taxes: How Payouts Are Taxed
How Alpha Futures income is taxed. Variable 1099 issuance, Schedule C filing, deductible expenses, and tax-saving strategies.
⚖️ Tax Strategy
Mark-to-Market Election (IRC §475) Explained
The most powerful tax election available to traders. Eliminate the $3,000 loss cap, remove wash sales, and convert losses into full ordinary deductions.
📈 Futures
Futures Trading Taxes & the Section 1256 Advantage
How futures traders automatically save thousands via the 60/40 blended rate, wash sale exemption, and 3-year loss carryback.
⚠️ Tax Mistakes
The Wash Sale Mistake That Costs Traders Thousands
The wash sale rule explained — cross-account traps, IRA disasters, and how it silently eliminates deductions without warning.
🏛️ Entity Setup
LLC vs S-Corp for Traders: Which Saves More?
A complete breakdown of both structures — when an LLC is enough and when an S-Corp election saves $5,000–$25,000+ per year.
💰 Deductions
Trader Tax Deductions Most People Miss
Every legitimate deduction available to active traders — from the obvious (software) to the overlooked (Solo 401k, health insurance, home office).
📉 Losing Traders
Trading Taxes — Win or Lose: The Complete Guide
What happens if you lost money trading? Do you still file? Can losses offset your W-2? How to make losses work for you.
🎯 Options
How Options Trading Is Taxed in 2026
Short vs long-term treatment, index options Section 1256 advantage, straddle rules, wash sales on options — all explained clearly.
₿ Crypto
Crypto Taxes: DeFi, NFTs & Cost Basis (2026)
How crypto is taxed, DeFi income treatment, NFT rules, cost basis methods, Form 1099-DA requirements, and missing records solutions.
🎓 Beginners
Do Beginner Traders Need to Pay Taxes?
First year trading? Everything you need to know — what to report, how to track, quarterly payments, and the most common first-year mistakes.
📊 Case Study
How One Futures Trader Saved $35,000 in One Year
Real numbers, real strategies. How a profitable ES futures trader legally cut their tax bill in half using Section 1256, S-Corp, and deduction stacking.
🛠️ Tools
Tax Software vs CPA for Traders: Which Is Right?
TurboTax, Koinly, TradeLog vs a trader-specialist CPA — an honest comparison of when software is enough and when it costs you money.