Section 1256 Contracts

Section 1256 Contracts

Investments that fall under Section 1256 of the U.S. Tax Code, namely, any regulated futures contract, any foreign currency contract, any non-equity option, any dealer equity option, and any dealer securities futures contract. Section 1256 contracts are treated differently from other securities for tax purposes. Specifically, rather than waiting to tax them until they are sold, Section 1256 contracts are treated as if they were sold at market value on the last day of the tax year. This means that one may be liable for capital gains taxes on a Section 1256 contracts even though the positions are still open. See also: Form 6781.

---

Section 1256 contracts

Any of several types of futures and options contracts that are subject to a special tax rule of the Internal Revenue Service. Named for a section of the IRS Code, these contracts must generally be treated as if they are sold at fair market value on the last business day of the tax year. Section 1256 contracts include regulated futures contracts, foreign currency contracts, nonequity options, dealer equity options, and dealer securities futures contracts.