How are profits on forex trading taxed | Motilal Oswal (2024)

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How are profits on forex trading taxed | Motilal Oswal (1)

When you invest your wealth in any instruments, if your assets yield a profit, those are taxed under the law in India. Hence, the implications of tax play a primary role when you earn profits out of any investments. As an investor, you should have a detailed understanding of what exactly incurs tax, what does not incur any tax, and how much tax is charged to you, either in a tax slab or as a percentage of your profits. In the current age, forex trading is gaining steam as we speak, with more and more investors dealing in such trades to make substantial profits. Therefore, what is taxable on your trading profit becomes pertinent to your personal financial picture.

In India, you are banned from trading directly in the forex markets. However, under the Foreign Exchange Management Act or FEMA, you can engage in currency trading via stock exchanges. Still, there are restrictions, such as the base currency in a traded pair being mandated as the Indian Rupee only.

Forex Trading Profits and Taxation

Investors are often confused about how they will be taxed if they earn profits through currency trading. This is due to the fact that the structure of tax levied on such gains is not fixed. However, there are certain tax norms that come into play when you trade in currencies and these should be known to all forex traders who earn profits. There are essentially two kinds of taxes that are levied on gains that arise from forex trading. These are direct and indirect taxes. An indirect tax takes the form of GST (Goods and Services Tax), Stamp Duty, or the Securities Transaction Tax. Taxes may be levied under a range of categories, so it is imperative to find out under which you are going to be taxed.

Taxation on Profits from Forex Trading

Some investors who trade in forex make it their business and livelihood. Hence, if you indulge in forex trading as a business, you will be taxed as a business person is taxed,and the income or gains earned will fall into particular tax slabs. Typically, in India, taxation on forex trading is undertaken with the income from profits representing a business income. Forex trading can be done online, but you don’t have to open a Demat account online to trade in currencies, as these profits would go directly to your bank account (as they are currencies bought/sold). Most currency trades get settled in the form of cash, so no real delivery of currencies are undertaken.

GST and Forex Trading

For all the forex transactions you make, the GST is levied as a tax for separate income slabs, considered as your income earned as profits from forex trading. The GST amount is typically 5% to 18% of your earned profits, which is the tax that is levied for all income earned from business transactions. Depending on whether your income falls under a particular amount, you will be charged the appropriate percentage on the profits.

Earn Through Currency Pairs

Currency trading, if done with care, can prove quite an earner for many investors. However, you have to pay your tax dues to the government on any and all profits that arise out of such incomes you earn, just like you must pay tax levied on income from selling other securities like stocks. You can explore Motilal Oswal for currency trading or trading in other securities and learn as you earn.To trade in stocks, you need to open a Demat account and Motilal Oswal has you covered for all your investment needs.

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How are profits on forex trading taxed | Motilal Oswal (2024)

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How are profits on forex trading taxed | Motilal Oswal? ›

Forex Trading Profits and Taxation

Do forex traders pay tax in Philippines? ›

Yes, citizens and residents of the Philippines must declare all of their worldwide income, including income from any forex brokerage accounts with international brokers. If you are not a resident or citizen of the Philippines, your countries of residence and/or citizenship will have their own tax obligations.

How is forex profit taxed? ›

How Am I Taxed for Forex Trading? If you trade 1256 contracts, your trades are taxed at 60% long-term capital gains and 40% short-term capital gains. If you're trading 988 contracts, you treat losses and gains as ordinary (taxed at your income tax bracket level).

How much tax do you pay on trading profits? ›

As long as your gains exceed the threshold, you'll be liable for capital gains tax. How much capital gains tax you pay depends on how much you earn, but the two rates are: 10% (the basic rate) 20% (the higher rate)

What is the tax on forex transactions? ›

From October 1, 2023, forex cards will attract tax collected at source (TCS) at 20% if the user loads over Rs 7 lakh on the card in a financial year. At present, TCS on forex cards is at 5% if you add more than Rs 7 lakh on the card. There is no TCS on international credit cards.

What is the trade tax in the Philippines? ›

The tax rate on international trade as a share of revenue earned in the Philippines increased by 2.9 percentage points (+13.55 percent) in 2022 in comparison to the previous year. With 24.34 percent, the share thereby reached its highest value in the observed period.

How do I avoid tax on forex? ›

If forex trading is a side gig, you are covered by the Trading Allowance. It allows you to earn up to £1000 of extra income tax-free. Anything that you earn in profits over £1,000 will be taxed at the standard 2024/25 Income Tax rates.

Which country has the best taxes for forex trading? ›

Ideal Countries for Forex Traders to Live In

These include New Zealand, Canada, and Hong Kong. New Zealand is known for its low cost of living and favorable tax laws for traders. It also has a well-regulated forex market and a stable economy.

Is forex gain or loss taxable? ›

Forex gains shall be presented as part of "Other Taxable Income" and be included in the computation of "Total Taxable Income" or "Gross Taxable Income" in the income tax return. On the other hand, forex losses shall be presented as part of the "Ordinary Allowable Itemized Deductions" in the income tax return.

How do day traders pay taxes? ›

Day trading taxes can vary depending on your trading patterns and your overall income, but they generally range between 10% and 37% of your profits. Income from trading is subject to capital gains taxes.

Do forex traders pay tax in USA? ›

United States

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) treats forex trading as capital gains or losses. Profits from trading are considered taxable income and must be reported on your tax return. Depending on your income and trading gains, you may fall into different tax brackets, resulting in varying tax rates.

How do I report forex income? ›

You would enter the information on Schedule 1 (Form 1040) Additional Income and Adjustments to Income, Line 8 as an ordinary gain or (loss).

Do day traders pay a lot in taxes? ›

More and more people are getting involved with day trading. Win or lose, you'll need to report your activities on your taxes, and pay taxes on the money you make. The good news is, you're generally taxed less than your regular income, and as a day trader, you could have added tax benefits.

How much can forex traders make a day? ›

On average, a forex trader can make anywhere between $500 to $2,000 per day. However, this figure can vary significantly depending on market conditions, trading strategy, and risk management techniques. Some traders may make more than $2,000 in a single day, while others may make less or even incur losses.

Does Oanda report to IRS? ›

OANDA does not report taxes on behalf of our clients, and as such, we do not provide any tax forms relating to profit/loss on your account (e.g. 1099-B form). Your annual account statement may help you with your tax reporting. You can download your annual account statement from the HUB by clicking on Statements .

How profitable is forex trading? ›

Forex trading may make you rich if you are a hedge fund with deep pockets or an unusually skilled currency trader. But for the average retail trader, rather than being an easy road to riches, forex trading can be a rocky highway to enormous losses and potential penury.

Is foreign income taxable in Philippines? ›

Resident citizens are subject to Philippines income tax on worldwide income. Non-resident citizens and aliens are subject to Philippines income tax on their Philippines-sourced income only, such as employment income and passive income.

How to be a forex trader in the Philippines? ›

  1. Step 1: Choose the Best Forex Broker in Philippines. ...
  2. Step 2: Open a Forex Trading Account in Philippines. ...
  3. Step 3: Download and Install the Forex Trading Platform. ...
  4. Step 4: Research the Best Forex Currency Pairs. ...
  5. Step 5: Choose the Best Time to Enter Orders. ...
  6. Step 6: Start Trading Forex.
Dec 21, 2023

How much does it cost to start forex trading in the Philippines? ›

How Much Do You Need to Start Forex Trading? You don't need millions of pesos to start forex trading in the Philippines. Some online forex brokers require a minimum deposit ranging from ₱5,000 to ₱500,000. You can then build up your fund once you're more comfortable.

Is crypto trading taxable in Philippines? ›

Cryptocurrency taxation in the Philippines includes considerations such as capital gains tax (CGT), which can reach up to 15 per cent. Filipino citizens involved in cryptocurrency ownership or trading are required to report their capital gains during their annual tax filings.

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