Services Pricing Tools FAQ Blog Partners Contact Log In Sign Up Start Free →
Tax Deadline: April 15, 2026 · Don't Wait
Taxes Built for Traders™

Your licensed tax professional Has Never Seen a Prop Firm Payout. Ours Have.

Stocks. Options. Futures. Forex. Crypto. Prop Firms. We handle taxes for active traders who can't afford to get it wrong. Licensed CPAs. Flat-rate pricing. Real results.

Start Free → Secure Your Filing Spot →
MR
AL
JS
DK
+
★★★★★
4,800+ traders trust TraderTax
Free consultation
No commitment
Tax Savings Dashboard● LIVE
Saved YTD
$24,830
Deductions
47
Eff. Rate
12.4%
P&L Total$186,420 +34%
Tax Due$18,640 ↓62%
MTM ElectionActive ✓
Most Popular with Traders — Start Here
📋 Free Tax Snapshot — Know Exactly Where You Stand
Answer 8 questions. Get your personalized tax exposure, missed deductions, and recommended next steps in 2 minutes.
Start Free →
Free Tool
🧮 Trader Tax Estimator — How Much Might You Owe?
Enter your income, state, and trading type. Get a federal + SE + state breakdown in 60 seconds. W-2 jobs included.
Try the Estimator →
APEX TRADERProp Firm Expert✓ Certified
ES FUTURESSection 125660/40 Rule
MTM ELECTIONIRC §475Max Savings
CRYPTO / DeFiFull CoverageAll Chains
WASH SALECleanup & FixAll Brokers
S-CORP SETUPEntity OptimizationSave 15%+ SE Tax
APEX TRADERProp Firm Expert✓ Certified
ES FUTURESSection 125660/40 Rule
MTM ELECTIONIRC §475Max Savings
CRYPTO / DeFiFull CoverageAll Chains
WASH SALECleanup & FixAll Brokers
S-CORP SETUPEntity OptimizationSave 15%+ SE Tax
Find Your Path

What Type of Trader Are You?

Pick your situation and we'll show you exactly what you need.

🏢
Prop Firm Trader
Apex, TopStep, FTMO, Tradeify. You receive payouts and need to know how to file them correctly.
See what applies to you →
📈
Futures Trader
ES, NQ, CL, GC. You trade futures contracts and want to maximize the 60/40 tax advantage.
See what applies to you →
📉
Lost Money This Year
You had a rough year. You actually need a CPA more than the guy who made $200K — here's why.
See what applies to you →
₿
Crypto / DeFi Trader
Spot trading, DeFi, staking, NFTs. You have complex transaction history across multiple wallets.
See what applies to you →
🎯
Options Trader
Spreads, straddles, SPX vs SPY tax treatment. Options have unique rules most CPAs get wrong.
See what applies to you →
🤷
Not Sure / Multiple
Take the 2-minute Tax Snapshot and we'll figure it out for you. Personalized to your situation.
Take the Snapshot →
Who We Help

Built for Every Type of Trader

Whether you scalp NQ futures or swing options, we understand your trades, your tax treatment, and your structure.

📈
Futures Traders
Section 1256 treatment, 60/40 rule optimization, and wash sale exemption strategies.
💲
Forex Traders
IRC 988 vs 1256 elections, rollover treatment, and multi-currency accounting.
📊
Stock Traders
Short-term vs long-term optimization, wash sale cleanup, and trader status qualification.
🎯
Options Traders
Complex options tax treatment, straddles, spreads, and hedging rules navigated expertly.
🏢
Prop Firm Traders
1099-MISC reporting, profit split structuring, entity setup, and deduction maximization.
₿
Crypto Traders
Cost basis tracking, DeFi income, NFT treatment, and crypto-native tax strategy.
⚡
Day Traders
Mark-to-market election, trader tax status, and business expense optimization.
📅
Unprofitable Traders
Loss carryforwards, wash sale cleanup, and setting up correctly for your profitable years ahead.
Our Services

Everything Your Trading Business Needs

From your annual return to full-scale financial infrastructure — we handle it all, year-round.

01 — Core
🧾
Trader Tax Preparation
Comprehensive federal and state tax filing optimized for trading income, losses, and complex transaction histories.
Learn more →
02 — Strategy
⚖️
Mark-to-Market Election
We assess eligibility, handle the IRS MTM election, and restructure your gains/losses for maximum advantage under IRC §475.
Learn more →
03 — Prop
🏢
Prop Firm Tax Structuring
Funded account income classification, profit split tax treatment, and entity setup for all major prop firms.
Learn more →
04 — Books
📚
Bookkeeping for Traders
Month-to-month P&L tracking, brokerage reconciliation, and financial reporting for active trading operations.
Learn more →
05 — Planning
🗺️
Tax Strategy & Planning
Proactive year-round planning — harvesting losses, timing income, and structuring trades to legally minimize your burden.
Learn more →
06 — Structure
🏛️
LLC & S-Corp Setup
We form and optimize your trading entity — LLC, S-Corp, or trading company — to maximize deductions and protect assets.
Learn more →
07 — Advisory
🎓
1-on-1 CPA Consultation
Direct access to a licensed CPA who understands trading. Real answers for your specific situation — not generic advice.
Get My Snapshot →
Why TraderTax

Your licensed tax professional Doesn't Understand
Your Trades. We Do.

  • ✓
    Built specifically for tradersEvery process, every form, every strategy engineered for active trading income — not generic W-2 filers.
  • ✓
    Experts in prop firm taxationWe've filed for thousands of prop traders. We know exactly how FTMO payouts, Apex, and TopStep accounts are classified.
  • ✓
    Advanced strategy, not just complianceWe don't just file — we plan. Mark-to-market, Section 1256, entity optimization, and retirement strategies built for traders.
  • ✓
    Year-round supportTax questions don't stop in April. Your dedicated CPA is reachable all 12 months — before a big trade, not after.
  • ✓
    Legally reduce your tax billOur average client saves 35–60% on their effective tax rate compared to using a general CPA. Real money back in your account.
Client Tax Performance
Avg Rate Before
72%
Avg Rate After
24%
Deductions Found
90%+
MTM Elections Filed
1,200+
Client Retention
94%
Avg. Client Savings / Year
$8,340
vs. using a general CPA for the same returns
Built For Traders

Every Tool You Need.
Nothing You Don't.

Free Tool
Tax Estimator
See a breakdown of federal, SE, and state taxes based on your income and state — in 60 seconds.
Estimated Breakdown
Federal Tax $4,820
SE Tax (prop firm) $5,086
State Tax (TX) $0 🎉
Total Est. $9,906
File It
Smart Doc Checklist
9 questions about your situation. Get a personalized list of exactly what to upload — nothing generic.
Your Document Checklist
✓ Apex payout history (bank statements)
✓ Eval fee receipts (all challenges)
✓ TradingView subscription receipt
○ W-2 from employer
○ Home office measurements
Fully Async
No Calls. Ever.
Upload your docs, we handle everything. No scheduling, no waiting on hold, no awkward "what's a prop firm?" questions.
1
Answer 9 questions online
2
Upload your documents
3
CPA prepares your return
4
Review & e-file ✓
Prop Firm Specialist
We Know Exactly How Apex, FTMO & TopStep Are Taxed.
No 1099? We handle it. Eval fees? We deduct them. SE tax on payouts? We calculate it correctly — and find every legal way to reduce it. Most CPAs have never seen a prop firm payout. We've filed thousands of them.
Prop Firm Income — Tax Breakdown
Payouts
$40,000
SE Tax
$5,086
Eval Deductions
-$3,200
✓ No 1099 handled
✓ SS wage base coordinated
✓ Section 1256 applied
✓ S-Corp analysis included
Trader Problems We Solve

We've Heard Every Question.
We Have Every Answer.

These are the questions keeping traders up at night. We've solved them for thousands of clients.

Q.01
"How do I file prop firm income?"
Prop firm payouts are typically reported on a 1099-MISC as self-employment income. We structure your entity so you only pay tax on what you keep — not the gross payout.
Q.02
"Do I qualify for mark-to-market?"
MTM (IRC §475) is one of the most powerful elections for active traders. We assess your frequency, intent, and P&L history to determine eligibility and file the election.
Q.03
"How do I reduce taxes on trading profits?"
Through entity structure, MTM elections, Section 1256 rules, business expense deductions, and strategic loss harvesting. Clients routinely cut their effective rate by 30–50%.
Q.04
"Should I open an LLC for trading?"
It depends on your income, structure, and goals. We analyze your situation and recommend the right entity — then handle the entire formation process for you.
Q.05
"I lost money — do I even need a CPA?"
Yes — possibly more than a profitable trader. Filing losses correctly sets up carryforwards, can offset W2 income, and protects your future profitable years.
Q.06
"The IRS sent me a notice about my trades."
Don't panic. We handle IRS notices, audits, and correspondence for trader clients. Our team has resolved hundreds of cases without a single dollar in penalties.
Client Testimonials

Traders Who Stopped Overpaying

Specific numbers. Real situations. Traders just like you.

Apex TraderES Futures
★★★★★

"My old CPA filed my Apex payouts as capital gains. Completely wrong. TraderTax caught it, refiled, and got me a $6,200 refund on top of fixing my current year. S-Corp setup dropped my SE tax by $8,400."

MR
Marcus R.
ES Futures · Apex · Dallas, TX
$14.6K saved
TopStepOptions
★★★★★

"I had no idea eval fees were deductible. TraderTax found $3,800 in prop firm fees I'd never claimed. Combined with a full deduction audit they found $19,200 total I had missed. Paid for itself 8x."

AL
Ashley L.
Options & Futures · TopStep · Austin, TX
$19.2K found
CryptoDeFi
★★★★★

"3 years of crypto chaos — DeFi, staking, multiple wallets. I was convinced I owed $34K. TraderTax reconstructed everything from blockchain data, filed all 3 years, and I owed $2,100."

JS
Jordan S.
Crypto & DeFi · Miami, FL
$31.9K diff
★★★★★

"First profitable year — $88K from NQ futures. TraderTax set up a Solo 401k, maxed contributions, and got my effective rate to 21%. Thought I'd owe $35K. I owed $12K."

DK
Derek K.
NQ Futures · Full-time · Chicago, IL
$23K saved
★★★★★

"I trade 6 prop firms — FTMO, Tradeify, Take Profit, Apex. Each one pays differently. TraderTax knew every single firm, handled all of it, and I never had to think about it once."

RM
Ryan M.
Multi-Firm Prop Trader · FTMO, Apex, Tradeify
Filed correctly ✓
How It Works

Three Steps to Tax Clarity

No complexity. No confusion. Just expert tax work done right.

1
Get Your Snapshot
Answer 8 quick questions. Get a personalized tax summary built by AI — reviewed by a real CPA before your call.
2
Connect Your Accounts
Securely share your brokerage statements and 1099s. We handle all the data work — you stay in your lane.
3
We Handle Your Taxes
Your licensed tax professional files your optimized return, implements your strategy, and sets you up for bigger savings next year.
Trusted by traders on
FTMO
TopStep
Apex Trader
Take Profit
Tradeify
Tastytrade
Interactive Brokers
Coinbase
TradeStation
2-Minute Tax Snapshot

Know Your Tax Situation
Before You Talk to Anyone.

Answer 8 questions. Get a personalized summary of your tax exposure, missed deductions, and estimated quote — instantly. Then book a call if you want. No pressure.

Start Free → Secure Your Filing Spot →
AI-assisted summary · Reviewed by a real CPA · No commitment
Transparent Pricing

Simple. Flat-Rate. Built for Traders.

Pick the tier that fits where you are right now. Or start with File It — no call required, from $197.

New — Most Affordable
File It — $597 · No call required
Built for active traders — not generic tax software. Upload your docs, your CPA handles the rest. Prop firm income, wash sales, Schedule D — all covered.
Get My Checklist →
Tier 01
File It
For traders in the red. We make your losses work for you.
$597
starting price · per tax year
  • ✓Federal + state return prep
  • ✓Trading loss documentation
  • ✓Wash sale rule cleanup
  • ✓Prop firm fee deductions
  • ✓30-min follow-up call
Get Started →
Most Popular with Traders
Tier 02
Optimize It
Full tax prep, planning, and strategy for consistently profitable traders.
$1,197
starting price · per tax year
  • ✓Everything in File It
  • ✓Mark-to-market election analysis
  • ✓Section 1256 futures treatment
  • ✓Quarterly tax payment plan
  • ✓Year-round email support
  • ✓60-min strategy consultation
Get Started →
Tier 03
Strategize It
Full entity setup, bookkeeping, and CPA advisory for serious traders.
$2,497
starting price · custom quote
  • ✓Everything in Optimize It
  • ✓LLC formation (filing included)
  • ✓S-Corp election & payroll setup
  • ✓Monthly bookkeeping
  • ✓Dedicated CPA — direct access
Get Started →
See full pricing details + add-ons on the pricing page →
TraderTax Knowledge Hub

The First Tax Resource
Built for Traders.

Deep-dive guides on prop firm taxes, futures treatment, and everything else your general CPA doesn't know.

Prop Firms
The Complete Prop Firm Tax Guide (2025)
How to file Apex, TopStep, and FTMO payouts correctly — and why most traders get it wrong.
12 min read
Strategy
Mark-to-Market Election: The Full Breakdown
IRC §475 explained — who qualifies, what it saves, and how to file before the deadline.
9 min read
Structure
LLC vs S-Corp for Traders: Which One Wins?
The real numbers on how much an S-Corp saves vs an LLC — and when each one makes sense.
10 min read
Tax Rules
Wash Sale Rule: What Traders Don't Know
The wash sale rule is costing active traders thousands. Here's how to identify and avoid it.
8 min read
Futures
Futures Tax Guide: 60/40 Rule Explained
How Section 1256 contracts get special 60/40 capital gains treatment — and how to maximize it.
7 min read
Unprofitable
Lost Money Trading? Here's Why You Still Need a CPA
Trading losses are actually a tax asset — if you file them correctly. Most traders leave thousands on the table.
6 min read
View All Articles →
Take Action Now

Stop Guessing on Taxes.
Work With Experts Who Understand Traders.

Every day without a tax strategy is money left on the table. Get your free snapshot in 2 minutes — no calls, no commitment.

Get My Free Tax Snapshot → View All Services
Licensed CPAs
IRS Authorized e-File
256-bit Encrypted
Year-Round Support
Flat-Rate Pricing
Full-Service Tax Firm

We Specialize in Traders.
But We Handle All Taxes.

TraderTax was built for active traders — but a licensed tax professionals are full-service tax professionals. If you have a W-2, a rental property, a small business, or a spouse with a completely different income situation, we handle that too.

You don't need two CPAs. One firm. One relationship. Everything filed together — optimized as a whole picture, not in silos.

Talk to a CPA →
🏢
W-2 Employees Who Trade
We reconcile your salary, trading income, and deductions into one optimized return.
🏠
Rental Properties & Real Estate
Depreciation, rental income, 1031 exchanges — handled alongside your trading taxes.
💼
Small Business Owners
Business income, self-employment tax, quarterly estimates, entity structure — we cover all of it.
👨‍👩‍👧
Married Filing Jointly
Your trading + your spouse's income optimized together. One return, one CPA, one rate.
🌍
Expats & International Traders
FBAR, FATCA, foreign income exclusion, international prop firm payouts — we handle it.