This is a basic summary of the tax situation for futures traders in Australia.
Futures trading income is classified as ordinary assessable income and is not subject to the capital gains tax provisions that we have.
Rates of tax depends on whether the trader trades under his/her own name or through a private company.
For an individual the tax rates are as follows:
Tax rates 2003-04
$0 â $6,000
Nil
$6,001 â $21,600
17c for each $1 over $6,000
$21,601 - $52,000
$2,652 plus 30c for each $1 over $21,600
$52,001 â $62,500
$11,772 plus 42c for each $1 over $52,000
Over $62,500
$16,182 plus 47c for each $1 over $62,500
The above rates do not include the Medicare levy of 1.5%.
Companies are taxed at a flat rate of 30 cents in the dollar.
Ordinary futures traders do not receive any special tax breaks. with the exception of Institutions, Fund Managers who form "Offshore Banking Units". OBU's pay tax at a rate of only 10 per cent!