EDUCATION CENTER
IN THE MEDIA: SFO MAGAZINE

SFO magazine, another leading magazine for traders features many articles from Robert A. Green and others who worked for GreenTraderTax.

February 2006: Editor's Note (excerpt):
"February is an amalgam of important stories, several of which occupy territory that most people abhor, and that means taxes. Given that taxes take the biggest bite out of the bottom line, though, it’s a key issue that can’t be ignored. Robert A. Green and associates, who for several years have done the hard slogging on this topic for SFO, have come through again with three stories that are keepers – until they update these and other knotty issues again next year. Clearly the tax picture changes, and you have to keep on top of it. Tax treatment on new products is confusing, and traders have a full plate of tax issues to consider this season, so Green covers these fully in his first story. Next, for you gold bugs, Roger Lorence digs into the taxing issues for metals connoisseurs – they fall into a different category known as collectibles, as odd as that might sound, and it has an effect. Finally, as the investing world gets more global, cross-border tax issues become a complex mix of nuances, and Green’s story highlights the idiosyncratic nature of them and what to do about it."

Tax Tips for Traders by Robert A. Green, CPA
Tax treatment on new products is confusing. Add trader tax status and mark-to-market accounting to the mix, and traders have a full plate of tax issues to consider this tax season. Get the (tax) breaks you deserve. Click here for Green's original submission. Click here for the final SFO article in the print and Web site editions.

Taxing Issues for Metals Connoisseurs. By Roger Lorence JD LLM.
As strange as it sounds, metals and their taxation issues fall into a different category called “collectibles.”Click here for Lorence's our originial submission. Click here for the final SFO article in the print and Web site editions.

Trading Across Borders: The Tax Issues by Robert A. Green, CPA
Don’t leave home without them. Click here for Green's original submission. The final SFO article is available on the SFO site for purchase, or pick up the print magaine.

February 2005: The SFO "Tax Issue"

Takin' Care of (Trader Tax Return) Business: What Can Wait and What Can't?
Make no mistake about it – pay what you owe by April 15, but take advantage of the extension to be able to turn in your homework (tax returns) late. By Robert A. Green, CPA

Trader: What happens When the Tax Inspector Comes Knocking on Your Door?
Stay on good terms with the IRS by learning about, applying and explaining trader tax status on your tax returns in the proper fashion. By Robert A. Green, CPA and Roger Lorence JD LLM.

A Trader's Guide to Using Business Entities: It Pays to Monitor the Technical Picture
Weigh the true costs versus the actual benefits before making a decision to form an entity. This story tells when it makes sense and when not. By Robert A. Green, CPA and Roger Lorence JD LLM.

Editor's Note by: Gail Osten: Although I must admit that this issue contains several articles that emanate from the GreenTraderTax.com folks, I was happy to have them author each of these articles. “Takin’ Care of (Trader Tax Return) Business: What Can and Cannot Wait,” is a piece that you’ll want to cut out and save because it helps traders determine when to pay their taxes and when to extend (or not) and how to do both – it also sets up some cautions that are worth knowing. There is both pre- and post-April 15 work to be done; don’t forget it.

So what if you do something wrong or are perceived to have erred by the IRS? “What Happens When the Tax Inspector Comes Knocking at Your Door?” is the article no one wants to need. All right then – cut this one out, too, and put it in a safe place just in case.

The final in the Green “trilogy” is “A Trader’s Guide to Using Business Entities,” and it’s a question that traders need to face at one time or another. Only after traders weigh the true costs versus the actual benefits should they make a decision to form an entity. This story tells when it makes sense and when it clearly does not.

Letter to Editor in March issue.
Dear Editor: The three articles from the GreenTraderTax.com people in the February edition [“Takin’ Care of (Trader Tax Return) Business,” “Traders: What Happens When the Tax Inspector Comes Knocking at Your Door” and "A Trader’s Guide to Using Business Entities"] were very helpful, but I’d also like to recommend that readers take a look at Robert Green’s new book, The Tax Guide for Traders, just recently published by McGraw-Hill, if they are looking for a good resource.
–-Scott E., via e-mail

[Editor’s Note: Actually, SFO reviewed Bob’s book in January, and indeed he has done a very nice job. Although the articles in SFO can’t come close to giving a full picture of all trader tax issues, we think the three topics that came from Bob’s company – tax return tips, trader tax status and the IRS, and the advisability (or not) of forming a business entity for your trading activity – may be three that traders might appreciate most at this time of the year.]

January 2005: Trading Foreign Futures? Know the Tax Rules before You Trade. Trading foreign index options (foreign futures) is hot. Big problem – not all futures are created equal. Foreign futures act like U.S. futures except at tax time. U.S. futures enjoy a tax break unlike their foreign counterparts. There is hope – some (but not all) foreign futures may be eligible for preferential tax treatment. You simply have to know the IRS rules applicable to futures and which foreign exchanges are CFTC blessed.

December 2004: Assessing Your Trader Tax Status: It May Be Worth Fighting the Feds
It’s more than a bit arbitrary trying to figure out if you’re really entitled to trader tax status. Here’s some help in the fight toward that right. By Robert A. Green

September 2004: Traders, Go Long Your Retirement Funds. Trading Retirement Funds Can Save Loads in Taxes. This article is the second of two pieces explaining how traders should plan for retirement. Last month, our author described a trader’s choice of retirement plans and how to form an entity to facilitate investment into retirement funds. This month, he details how traders actually can trade their retirement accounts. By Robert A. Green

August 2004: Do you sincerely want to retire one day? Market forces may force you into “early retirement.” Traders face special rules in retirement planning and you should start (or update) your retirement planning now. Learn how to get significant income savings from tax-deductible retirement plan contributions, while limiting your self-employment taxes. Most likely, you will need an entity to create “earned income” so learn which type of entity is best suited for your needs. By Robert A. Green

February 2004: What tax rate does your future hold? Securities and futures exchanges are competing for your business with lots of new products. When choosing which ones look most attractive, add taxation to the mix; it could help reduce your tax rate by 12 percent. By Robert A. Green

December 2003: Year-End Tax Planning Strategies for Traders. Wise taxpayers should do tax planning before year-end. Traders have special circumstances that make year-end tax planning even more paramount. Certain moves can save you a fortune come April 15. By Robert A. Green

March 2003: Keeping the Record Straight: Tax Advice for Traders How to prepare yourself, as a trader, for April 15th. By Robert A. Green.