I am a stock trader (TTS) - sole proprietorship. Would I need earned income (get a W2 job or self-employment income stream) to write off trading expense (e.g. home office expense) or making Sec. 475 Mark-to-Market election for my stock trading account is enough?
Also, if my brokerage firm doesn't offer mark-to-market accounting, can I simply use the beginning account value of Jan and ending account value of Dec, which are easily available in any broker's monthly statements, to get the 475 income that year? I only trade stocks, or selling naked puts or covered calls.
Thanks!
