Trading Futures completely tax free

[Xela]

There are countries like the Bahamas and Bermuda which are genuinely tax-free for trading income (and a few others - a Google search will produce them easily enough). The Bahamas is very hot and accommodation-costs in Bermuda are almost unbelievably high!

In Malta (mentioned above), the tax department has recently confirmed that it regards trading income as arising within Malta for income tax purposes if the "actual trading work" is done within Malta, regardless of where the accounts are held and from where the funds/profits are remitted. Income taxes in Malta are significantly lower (and offsettable allowances typically more generous) than in most of the Europe, but it's by no means tax-free.

The position in Portugal (also mentioned above) may be similar and the point hasn't yet been tested in court. (In theory, new immigrants' incomes remitted from overseas are income-tax-free for the first 10 years, but that's perhaps not intended to cover income arising from work done within Portugal, similarly to the situation in Malta.)

What all of these considerations illustrate is how essential it is to take proper, up-to-date, professional advice from someone both qualified and licensed to give it.

 

[propwarrior]

There are countries like the Bahamas and Bermuda which are genuinely tax-free for trading income (and a few others - a Google search will produce them easily enough). The Bahamas is very hot and accommodation-costs in Bermuda are almost unbelievably high!

In Malta (mentioned above), the tax department has recently confirmed that it regards trading income as arising within Malta for income tax purposes if the "actual trading work" is done within Malta, regardless of where the accounts are held and from where the funds/profits are remitted. Income taxes in Malta are significantly lower (and offsettable allowances typically more generous) than in most of the Europe, but it's by no means tax-free.

The position in Portugal (also mentioned above) may be similar and the point hasn't yet been tested in court. (In theory, new immigrants' incomes remitted from overseas are income-tax-free for the first 10 years, but that's perhaps not intended to cover income arising from work done within Portugal, similarly to the situation in Malta.)

What all of these considerations illustrate is how essential it is to take proper, up-to-date, professional advice from someone both qualified and licensed to give it.

good post. What you write about Malta is what would concern me about trading from any country where they don't tax foreign sourced income. If you are sitting there making the trades from said country surely the local authorities have a good argument that your trading income is not foreign sourced. Maybe it's better to go to one of these far flung caribbean countries where there is 0% tax full stop.

 

[Xela]

If you are sitting there making the trades from said country surely the local authorities have a good argument that your trading income is not foreign sourced.

I think this is right.

But I also think it probably varies from country to country. Malta's just a currently interesting example because they've recently confirmed their policy and attitude, and it's just become "public information".

I suspect there are still a lot of gray areas, regarding other countries, perhaps partly according to how much they want to attract affluent immigrants. (Personally, I certainly wouldn't fancy trying it in Portugal, and potentially becoming the subject of a "test case" to determine whether it's "overseas income" within the meaning of their rules!)

Maybe it's better to go to one of these far flung caribbean countries where there is 0% tax full stop.

Maybe - realistically, it probably depends mostly on whether you actually want to live there, i.e. on other factors? Some people will certainly prefer the climate in Bermuda to that in the Caribbean.

 

[dealmaker]

UK. Tell me someone is out there in Cayman living the dream.

Raoul Pal...

 

[truetype]

accommodation-costs in Bermuda are almost unbelievably high!

Housing is definitely a concern in Bermuda, but rental pricing is appropriate for a premium/resort destination, not "unbelievably high."

 

[propwarrior]

Housing is definitely a concern in Bermuda, but rental pricing is appropriate for a premium/resort destination, not "unbelievably high."

Surf how you doing? Hope all good at the shack

 

[HobbyTrading]

Maybe you want to read this thread: https://www.elitetrader.com/et/threads/best-country-for-trading-tax-efficiency.189932/
The most comprehensive overview of everything you want to know (and don't want to know) about tax and trading as income. Pay special attention to the posts by @dw31583

 

[wintergasp]

Malta looks great. I just checked and you don't pay tax on foreign sourced income as long as you don't remit it to a Malta based bank account. That is sweet. I am sure people get inventive on ways to spend their foreign income in Malta without remitting it.

Life in Malta is pretty cheap, so you remit 50k€ per year and pay 20% of taxes on it (around 10k€), this way if any other country asks, you can show you've paid your taxes somewhere.

 

[Xela]

Malta looks great. I just checked and you don't pay tax on foreign sourced income as long as you don't remit it to a Malta based bank account.

That's perfectly true, but be aware that the Maltese tax authorities have recently stated that they don't consider profits earned in another country from trading done while the trader is in Malta as "foreign-sourced"/"overseas income".

I am sure people get inventive on ways to spend their foreign income in Malta without remitting it.

They do indeed.

 

[propwarrior]

That's perfectly true, but be aware that the Maltese tax authorities have recently stated that they don't consider profits earned in another country from trading done while the trader is in Malta as "foreign-sourced"/"overseas income".

They do indeed.

ok thanks. I was just catching up on the other tax thread and reading what @dw31583 said. It seems the Maltese authorities have got a handle on this, I guess a lot of people try and dodge but tbh I would want to do everything whiter than white, I just don't like looking over my shoulder. I am sure there are people bringing in precious metals & cars to convert to cash.