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Wash Sale Rule Specifically with Options Trades

I have had losses using call options and currently in a trade - covered call strategy with the same stock. If I do not exit this trade by December 31, will my wash sale losses be deferred to next tax year? Meaning I cannot deduct losses for 2022 but CAN for tax year 2023?

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9 Replies

Wash Sale Rule Specifically with Options Trades

Wash Sale Rule Specifically with Options Trades

Thumbs up? Meaning yes I am correct? Just confirming...

Wash Sale Rule Specifically with Options Trades

see this link which describes various scenarios that create a wash sale. to get the wash sale loss you have to close the position before 1/1/2023 and not establish a position that would cause another wash sale for the first 30 days of 2023

 

https://tradelog.com/education/wash-sales-for-traders/#options 

 

however, they have a caveat

There is no clarification in the tax law as to how far “in or out of the money” the option is, or what month and year the option expires. So TradeLog simply applies this rule as follows: If the underlying stock is the same, then the option is “substantially” the same. For details see our Chart of Wash Sale Triggers section below.

 

 

others would disagree and take the position that options with different strike prices and or expiration dates are not substantially the same and therefore do not create a wash sale.   don't know what your broker does. 

Wash Sale Rule Specifically with Options Trades

@Mike9241 

 

Also, if I am anticipating higher ordinary income next year ... then should I let my wash sales close in 2023 so my losses can be used to offset my higher income? I think this answer is no. Capital gains cannot offset ordinary income. Only $3,000 is limit.

 

Separate question, if I continue to trade covered call options and do not wait out the 31 days for all year of 2023 will the wash sales loss be deferred still to year 2024?

 

Your feedback much appreciated!

 

Wash Sale Rule Specifically with Options Trades

if you keep buying and taking losses your losses can be denied (wash sales)

This can leave you with only gains and nothing to offset that, even when in reality you did not make money.

The result is a possibly a huge tax bill at tax time.

 

It is best to avoid wash sales.

Wash Sale Rule Specifically with Options Trades

there is a way out of the wash sale issue 

it's all about being a trader and then making the 475(f) election. if after reading the following and believing e you qualify and would be interested in making the election see a pro to evaluate your situation. a quick summary. there are no wash sales. trading income is ordinary income and not capital gain (thus if you have a trading loss, it can be used to offset other income) at the end of each year after the first you take into account in determining your trading income/loss the unrealized gain or loss on them.

 

 

Traders
Special rules apply if you're a trader in securities, in the business of buying and selling securities for your own account. The law considers this to be a business, even though a trader doesn't maintain an inventory and doesn't have customers. To be engaged in business as a trader in securities, you must meet all of the following conditions:
You must seek to profit from daily market movements in the prices of securities and not from dividends, interest, or capital appreciation;
Your activity must be substantial; and
You must carry on the activity with continuity and regularity.
The following facts and circumstances should be considered in determining if your activity is a securities trading business:
Typical holding periods for securities bought and sold;
The frequency and dollar amount of your trades during the year;
The extent to which you pursue the activity to produce income for a livelihood; and
The amount of time you devote to the activity.
If the nature of your trading activities doesn't qualify as a business, you're considered an investor and not a trader. It doesn't matter whether you call yourself a trader or a day trader, you're an investor. A taxpayer may be a trader in some securities and may hold other securities for investment. The special rules for traders don't apply to those securities held for investment. A trader must keep detailed records to distinguish the securities held for investment from the securities in the trading business. The securities held for investment must be identified as such in the trader's records on the day he or she acquires them (for example, by holding them in a separate brokerage account).
Traders report their business expenses on Schedule C (Form 1040 or 1040-SR), Profit or Loss from Business (Sole Proprietorship). Commissions and other costs of acquiring or disposing of securities aren't deductible but must be used to figure gain or loss upon disposition of the securities. See Topic No. 703, Basis of Assets. Gains and losses from selling securities from being a trader aren't subject to self-employment tax.
The Mark-to-Market Election (optional, generally used to avoid the issue of wash sales)
Traders can choose to use the mark-to-market rules, investors can't. If a trader doesn't make a valid mark-to-market election under section 475(f), then he or she must treat the gains and losses from sales of securities as capital gains and losses and report the sales on Schedule D (Form 1040 or 1040-SR), Capital Gains and Losses and on Form 8949, Sales and Other Dispositions of Capital Assets as appropriate. When reporting on Schedule D, both the limitations on capital losses and the wash sales rules continue to apply. However, if a trader makes a timely mark-to-market election, then he or she can treat the gains and losses from sales of securities as ordinary gains and losses (except for securities held for investment - see above) that must be reported on Part II of Form 4797, Sales of Business Property. Neither the limitations on capital losses nor the wash sale rules apply to traders using the mark-to-market method of accounting.
A trader must make the mark-to-market election by the original due date (not including extensions) of the tax return for the year prior to the year for which the election becomes effective. You can make the election by attaching a statement either to your income tax return if filed without an extension or to a request for an extension of time to file your return. The statement should include the following information:
That you're making an election under section 475(f);
The first tax year for which the election is effective (that is, the tax year for which a timely election is being made); and
The trade or business for which you're making the election.
Refer to the Instructions for Schedule D (Form 1040 or 1040-SR), Capital Gains and Losses PDF for more information on how to make the mark-to-market election. It's important to note that in general, late section 475(f) elections aren't allowed.
After making the election to change to the mark-to-market method of accounting, you must change your method of accounting for securities under Revenue Procedure 2019-43, Section 24.01. In addition to making the election, you'll also be required to file a Form 3115, Application for Change in Accounting Method. Publication 550 describes the procedures for making an election under the section called "Special Rules for Traders in Securities." Non-filing of the Form 3115 mentioned above won't invalidate a timely and valid election.
If you've made a valid election under section 475(f), the only way to stop using mark-to-market accounting for securities is to file an automatic request for revocation under Revenue Procedure 2019-43, Section 24.02. Under that revenue procedure, the request for revocation must be filed by the original due date of the return (without regard to extensions) for the taxable year preceding the year of change (the year of change is the first taxable year the revocation is to be effective). This revocation notification statement must be attached to either that return or if applicable, to a request for extension of time to file that return. Late revocations won't generally be allowed except in unusual and compelling circumstances

 

 

Wash Sale Rule Specifically with Options Trades

@Mike9241

 

If I have a long call options and closed at a loss and became a wash sale. If I enter a covered call options and then closed at a small loss and later became a wash sale. Are both different wash sale items?

 

I am waiting for the official 1099B. Will the total wash sale amount deferred to next tax year be listed on the 1099B?

Wash Sale Rule Specifically with Options Trades

unless you used a foreign broker the 1099-B will report the wash sale amount on any trade in box 1g 

the disallowed loss should have been added to the tax basis of the trade that caused the wash sale.  (there is no specific notation that the tax basis includes a proper wash sale loss

so you shouldn't have to concern yourself with the wash sale carryover. 

 

 

The IRS has never issued specific guidance on wash sales where options are involved.  even tax experts disagree on the rules. 

bwylie
New Member

Wash Sale Rule Specifically with Options Trades

Thank you very much for the information.

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