Taxes on DJX Options

Quote from trader42:
the CBOE page does specify "Broad" for QQQ options too ...

It's because the NDX which the QQQ fund is tracking is a broad index - the QQQ itself (nor any other ETF) does not qualify for treatment under the "options on a broad index" provision.
 
Quote from rgowka1:
Based on pg. 37 and 38 of
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p550.pdf

and http://www.cboe.com/TradTool/Symbols/SymbolDirectory.asp?MODE=IndxOptsNLeaps&POPUP=false

note the of DJX type is "broad"....

I conclude that these are Section 1256 Securites, and hence 60/40 rule applies to the DJX Options...

Don't bet the farm based on what the CBOE website says. The characterization on their website could definitely be a typo - under normal conditions an index with only 30 stocks in it would be characterized as narrow.

However, the IRS might allow the Dow to be classified as a broad index just because it's so common, but don't take the CBOE's singular note on it as gospel. Didn't see anywhere in the IRS pub you noted that called out the Dow as a broad index - just the discussion of 1256 treatment. So you'd want to get a confirm from the IRS that they do indeed consider the Dow to be a broad index even though it only has 30 stocks in it before betting on it.
 
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