Should You Start an LLC for Day Trading? (Explained)

Published by Jon Morgan | Co-Founder & Chief Editor

Last updated: July 20, 2024

FACT CHECKED by Lou Viveros, Growth & Transition Advisor

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In the dynamic world of day trading, every decision can lead to significant financial outcomes. First, you have the choice to trade as an individual or sole proprietor or trade through a business entity such as a limited liability company.

Is an LLC the right structure for your day trading business? Will you benefit from liability protection while minimizing your tax obligations? How would an LLC impact and give your day trading a competitive edge?

Drawing from my experience as an LLC business expert, I will explore the potential benefits, legal implications, and financial effects of forming an LLC for day trading to make that determination.

Continue reading to find out how an LLC could be a game-changer in your day trading career.

Quick Summary

• You should start an LLC for day trading to reduce capital gains taxes and gain liability and asset protection.
• An LLC offers advantages such as pass-through taxation, limited liability protection, and a flexible management structure for day traders.
• Utilizing a self-directed IRA LLC allows investors to diversify investments and potentially cut taxable income by up to 30% through strategic allocations in real estate and cryptocurrencies.
• While the tax benefits of trading through an LLC can be appealing, in my opinion, it's crucial to balance these advantages against potential costs and limitations, ensuring that decisions align with one's overall trading strategy.

Should Day Traders Use an LLC?

From my own journey in day trading, I've realized that whether day traders should use an LLC largely depends on the source of capital.

First, it’s important to note that there are two types of day traders:

• Prop trading firms: These firms provide capital to their traders and take on all the risk. The firm may require the trader to trade under its name and be employed by the firm. The firm would likely set up an LLC for the trader in this case.
• Self-employed: These traders are not employed by a prop trading firm but trade with their capital. If you are self-employed, you can set up an LLC using a company like ZenBusiness for your day trading business.

What are the Advantages of Trading With an LLC?

The advantages of trading with an LLC are that it offers protection from personal liability and can help save on taxes.

Having traded both as an individual and through an LLC, I can vouch for the advantages of the latter. An LLC provides notable tax savings.

For tax purposes, an LLC can help you reduce self-employment tax.

This also includes:

• Pass-through taxation: LLCs are taxed as pass-through entities, meaning the business's ordinary income and losses are "passed through" to the owners' individual tax returns. This can provide significant tax savings compared to being taxed as a sole proprietor.
• Limited liability protection: As an LLC owner, you are not personally liable for the debts and obligations of the company. This protection is especially important for day traders, who can incur significant losses in a short period.
• Flexible management structure: Limited liability companies can be managed by their owners, known as LLC members, or by a manager. This flexibility can be helpful if you want someone else to manage your business's day-to-day operations.

Although establishing an LLC for day trading comes with certain advantages, it's important to weigh these against potential disadvantages.

Consult a tax advisor or attorney before setting up an LLC for day trading.

You'll want to make sure that it makes sense for your specific situation and that you understand the potential risks involved.

Day Trading and Taxes

In my early days of day trading, I quickly learned that it's not just about making profits; it's also about understanding the tax implications. Like any business, day trading is subject to taxation, and it's crucial to report your profits and losses accurately.

Here are some significant tax considerations that exist when setting up an LLC for day trading:

• First, you must file a business tax return for the LLC. This return will need to include your business income and expenses.  
• Second, you will need to file an individual tax return for yourself. On this return, you will report the income and losses from your LLC, such as business expenses. You will need to file a joint tax return if you are married.
• Lastly, you should consult with a tax advisor or attorney before setting up an LLC for day trading, the former especially for tax purposes.

You'll want to make sure that it makes sense for your specific situation and that you understand the potential risks involved, especially for business expenses.

How Do Day Traders Avoid Taxes?

One way a day trader can avoid taxes is by setting up an LLC for day trading. As mentioned above, an LLC offers protection from personal liability and can help to save on tax purposes.

Another way to reduce your tax burden is to use a self-directed IRA account [1]. According to Smart Asset, by leveraging a self-directed IRA LLC, investors can diversify across a broad range of assets, potentially reducing their taxable income by up to 30% through strategic investments in alternatives like real estate and cryptocurrencies.

Finally, you may be able to use a Roth IRA or Roth 401 (k) to save on taxes [2]. Conversion to both Roth accounts is taxable. However, your money grows there without being taxed and can be withdrawn tax-free after age 59 1/2 if the account has been active for more than 5 years.

This can be a helpful way to reduce your tax bill in the short term.

By strategically planning withdrawals, day traders over 73 can navigate the RMD requirements, introduced in 2023, to minimize taxes on their retirement savings, aligning with strategies for reducing 401(k) taxes.

Day traders should consult with a tax advisor or attorney to learn more about avoiding paying taxes on their profits.

There are a variety of strategies that can be used, and each trader will have unique needs. You can maximize your ordinary income by understanding the options available.

How Do I Start a Day Trading Business?

To start a day trading business, acquire knowledge and skills in financial markets, develop a trading strategy, open a brokerage account, and set aside sufficient capital.

When I decided to dive into day trading, the first steps I took were to acquire knowledge about the financial markets, hone my trading strategy, and open a dedicated brokerage account. If you're considering this path, ensure you have sufficient capital and are prepared for the ups and downs.

First, you'll need to determine if your business qualifies as a day trading business. This can be done by consulting with a tax advisor or attorney.

Second, you must set up a business entity, such as a limited liability company or corporation. This will protect you from personal liability and help to save on taxes.

Third, you'll need to open a trading account with a broker. Fourth, you'll need to fund your account and begin trading.

It's important to remember that day trading is a risky business. You will need to make money. Before starting a day trading business, consult with a tax advisor or attorney to ensure you know the risks involved.

Exploring the Nuances of Trading through an LLC

"With minimal costs, time and significant legal protection, it makes sense to start an LLC as soon as you start day trading."

- Alison Plaut, Contributor, Benzinga

FAQs

References:

1. https://smartasset.com/retirement/self-directed-ira-llc-investment-guide
2. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/081115/how-minimize-taxes-401k-withdrawals.asp