Section 475(f) Mark-to-Market Election for Traders

§ 475. Mark to market accounting method for dealers in securities(a) General ruleNotwithstanding any other provision of this subpart, the following rules shall apply to securities held by a dealer in securities:(1) Any security which is inventory in the hands of the dealer shall be included in inventory at its fair market value. (2) In the case of any security which is not inventory in the hands of the dealer and which is held at the close of any taxable year—(A) the dealer shall recognize gain or loss as if such security were sold for its fair market value on the last business day of such taxable year, and (B) any gain or loss shall be taken into account for such taxable year. Proper adjustment shall be made in the amount of any gain or loss subsequently realized for gain or loss taken into account under the preceding sentence. The Secretary may provide by regulations for the application of this paragraph at times other than the times provided in this paragraph. (b) Exceptions(1) In generalSubsection (a) shall not apply to—(A) any security held for investment, (B)(i) any security described in subsection (c)(2)(C) which is acquired (including originated) by the taxpayer in the ordinary course of a trade or business of the taxpayer and which is not held for sale, and (ii) any obligation to acquire a security described in clause (i) if such obligation is entered into in the ordinary course of such trade or business and is not held for sale, and (C) any security which is a hedge with respect to—(i) a security to which subsection (a) does not apply, or (ii) a position, right to income, or a liability which is not a security in the hands of the taxpayer. To the extent provided in regulations, subparagraph (C) shall not apply to any security held by a person in its capacity as a dealer in securities. (2) Identification requiredA security shall not be treated as described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1), as the case may be, unless such security is clearly identified in the dealer’s records as being described in such subparagraph before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into (or such other time as the Secretary may by regulations prescribe). (3) Securities subsequently not exemptIf a security ceases to be described in paragraph (1) at any time after it was identified as such under paragraph (2), subsection (a) shall apply to any changes in value of the security occurring after the cessation. (4) Special rule for property held for investmentTo the extent provided in regulations, subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) shall not apply to any security described in subparagraph (D) or (E) of subsection (c)(2) which is held by a dealer in such securities.