My losses become realized and my actual gain (currently 12K) is the only gain I have to worry about the IRS taxing me on.
You should understand the difference between "realized" and "recognized" for tax purposes.....it's important.
You should read this article.... https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1979208 .... good short swing traders make money in both up AND down markets. Also the most successful traders I've know and have met....which are quite a few.....trade FUTURES NOT STOCKS. Futures traders don't have to be concerned with wash sale rules and the tax treatment is more favorable than it is for stocks or options.
In the end you have no idea whether you will have a 12K gain when the year is out if you keep daytrading.
