Market Data Non-Professional Questionnaire

Overview: 

Insight into completing the new Non-Professional Questionnaire.

Background: 

The NYSE and most US exchanges require vendors to positively confirm the market data status of each customer before allowing them to receive market data. Going forward, the Non-Professional Questionnaire will be used to identify and positively confirm the market data status of all customer subscribers. As per exchange requirements, without positively identifying customers as non-professional, the default market data status will be professional. The process will protect and maintain the correct market data status for all new subscribers. For a short guide on non-professional definitions, please see https://ibkr.info/article/2369.

Each question on the questionnaire must be answered in order to have a non-professional designation. As exchanges require positive confirmations of proof for non-professional designations, an incomplete or unclear Non-Professional Questionnaire will result in a Professional designation until the status can be confirmed. 

If the status should change, please contact the helpdesk.

Explanation of questions:

1)    Commercial & Business purposes

a)    Do you receive financial information (including news or price data concerning securities, commodities and other financial instruments) for your business or any other commercial entity?

Explanation: Are you receiving and using the market data for use on behalf of a company or other organization aside from using the data on this account for personal use?

b)    Are you conducting trading of any securities, commodities or forex for the benefit of a corporation, partnership, professional trust, professional investment club or other entity?

Explanation: Are you trading for yourself only or are you trading on behalf of an organization (Ltd, LLC, GmbH, Co., LLP, Corp.)?

c)    Have you entered into any agreement to (a) share the profit of your trading activities or (b) receive compensation for your trading activities?

Explanation: Are you being compensated to trade or are you sharing profits from your trading activities with a third party entity or individual?

d)    Are you receiving office space, and equipment or other benefits in exchange for your trading or work as a financial consultant to any person, firm or business entity?

Explanation: Are you being compensated in any way for your trading activity by a third party, not necessarily by being paid in currency.

2)    Act in a capacity

a)    Are you currently acting in any capacity as an investment adviser or broker dealer?

Explanation: Are you being compensated to manage third party assets or compensated to advise others on how to manage their assets?

b)    Are you engaged as an asset manager for securities, commodities or forex?         
 

Explanation: Are you being compensated to manage securities, commodities, or forex?

c)     Are you currently using this financial information in a business capacity or for managing your employer’s or company’s assets?

Explanation: Are you using data at all for a commercial purposes specifically to manage your employer and/or company assets?

d)    Are you using the capital of any other individual or entity in the conduct of your trading?

Explanation: Are there assets of any other entity in your account other than your own?

3)    Distribute, republish or provide data to any other party

a)    Are you distributing, redistributing, publishing, making available or otherwise providing any financial information from the service to any third party in any manner?

Explanation: Are you sending any data you receive from us to another party in any way, shape, or form?

4)    Qualified professional securities / futures trader

a)    Are you currently registered or qualified as a professional securities trader with any security agency, or with any commodities or futures contract market or investment adviser with any national or state exchange, regulatory authority, professional association or recognized professional body? i, ii
YES☐             NO☐

i) Examples of Regulatory bodies include, but are not limited to,

  • US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
  • US Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
  • UK Financial Service Authority (FSA)
  • Japanese Financial Service Agency (JFSA)

ii) Examples of Self-Regulatory Organization (SROs) include, but are not limited to:

  • US NYSE
  • US FINRA
  • Swiss VQF 

Présentation du système d'accès sécurisé (SLS)

Table des matières

 

La protection de vos actifs et de vos renseignements personnels est de la plus haute importance pour nous. Nous nous engageons à tout mettre en œuvre pour garantir leur protection dès le moment où vous ouvrez votre compte.  

Afin de vous proposer la meilleure protection possible, Interactive Brokers a mis au point un Système d'accès sécurisé (SLS), qui soumet l'accès à votre compte à l'authentification à 2 facteurs.
 
Cette méthode d'authentification à 2 facteurs a pour but de vérifier votre identité au moment de la connexion au moyen des facteurs suivants : 1) un élément que vous connaissez (la saisie de votre combinaison nom d'utilisateur-mot de passe) ; et 2) un élément dont vous disposez (un appareil de sécurité délivré par IB qui génère un code aléatoire à usage unique). Si vous participez au Système d'accès sécurisé, la connexion à votre compte nécessite à la fois votre combinaison nom d'utilisateur - mot de passe et la possession de votre appareil de sécurité. Ce dispositif élimine ainsi la possibilité pour une personne autre que vous d'accéder à votre compte.
 
 

Avantages d'une inscription

En vous inscrivant au système de protection SLS, vous protégez votre compte contre les tentatives d'accès non-autorisées. L'inscription est gratuite et les participants bénéficient des avantages suivants :
  1. des plafonds de retrait plus élevés sur des périodes d'une journée et de cinq jours consécutifs.
  2. la possibilité de modifier vos instructions bancaires et votre adresse e-mail sans contacter un membre de notre équipe de sécurité.
  3. la possibilité d'effectuer des opérations de financement par ACH et par TEF au-delà de l'opération d'approvisionnement initial du compte de 20,000 USD.
  4. La possibilité de partager un seul appareil pour plusieurs noms d'utilisateur enregistrés pour un même utilisateur.
 
 

Comment s'inscrire

Inscription facile. S'il s'agit de votre première demande, il vous sera demandé de confirmer votre numéro de téléphone portable pour poursuivre. La sécurité à 2 facteurs sera activée grâce à un SMS sur votre téléphone. IBKR vous enverra un mot de passe à usage unique à la connexion.
 
L'authentification à 2 facteurs par SMS est temporaire et sera supprimée lorsque vous activerez l'authentification IBKR Mobile (IB Key), tel qu'expliqué dans la base de connaissances IBKR.
 
Que vous soyez déjà client ou un nouveau client ayant un capital supérieur à 1,000,000 $, vous pouvez demander une Digital Secure Card+ (DSC+) comme appareil complémentaire pour l'authentification IBKR Mobile (IB Key), comme expliqué ici. Quand vous aurez reçu votre DSC+, veuillez vous connecter au Portail Client et suivre les instructions pour l'activer.
 
Une fois votre appareil de sécurité ou application de sécurité numérique activée, à chaque fois que vous vous connectez au Portail Client, à TWS, ou IBKR Mobile, il vous sera demandé de procéder à une authentification à 2 facteurs, avec d'une part votre nom d'utilisateur et mot de passe et d'autre part le code de sécurité généré par votre appareil. Une fois que vous serez connecté, votre compte bénéficiera d'une protection complète : aucune personne non autorisée ne pourra accéder à vos fonds ou à vos positions.

 

 
 

Appareils perdus, endommagés ou temporairement indisponibles

Dans le cas d'un appareil perdu, endommagé ou temporairement indisponible, vous devez contacter votre Service clientèle par téléphone pour demander que l'appareil soit remplacé et/ou pour obtenir un accès temporaire. Une fois votre identité vérifiée, un code temporaire vous sera fourni. Il s'agit d'un code alphanumérique statique qui remplace le code aléatoire fourni par votre appareil de sécurité et qui vous permettra d'accéder au Portail Client et d'imprimer la carte de sécurité en ligne.  La carte de sécurité temporaire vous permettra d'accéder temporairement au compte pour une période de 21 jours maximum, période suffisante pour l'expédition d'un nouvel appareil ou pour la réactivation de votre appareil permanent si ce dernier était temporairement indisponible. Pour connaître la procédure de demande d'appareil de remplacement, consultez la base de connaissances IBKR.
 
Sinon, si votre numéro de téléphone portable a déjà été vérifié par IBKR, vous pouvez activer l'authentification IBKR Mobile (IB Key) pour fournir à votre compte une protection à 2 facteurs immédiatement.
 
 
 

Types d'appareils

IBKR fournit toute une gamme d'appareils de sécurité, chaque appareil étant conçu pour correspondre en termes d'ergonomie et de protection aux besoins spécifiques de votre compte. 
  1. SMS - Un moyen facile et rapide d'activer l'authentification à 2 facteurs par un SMS envoyé à votre numéro.
  2. IBKR Mobile – Une appli mobile tout-en-un qui propose une solution numérique pratique pour tous vos besoins en authentification à 2 facteurs. L'authentification IBKR Mobile (IB Key) que l'on retrouve dans l'appli prend en charge la reconnaissance faciale/l'empreinte digitale et la configuration PIN1 et est disponible au téléchargement pour Android et iPhone.
  3. Digital Security Card+ - Pour les comptes d'un capital de 1M USD ou équivalent. Elle a la même taille et forme qu'une carte de crédit et est électronique. Pour l'utiliser, l'utilisateur doit saisir un code PIN pour une protection supplémentaire.
Remarque
Les utilisateurs iPhone doivent avoir activé Touch ID, Face ID, ou le code de sécurité (voir : Configurer Touch ID ou Configurer Face ID). Touch ID ou Face ID sont recommandés.  Le PIN/code de sécurité permet un accès au trading de 12 heures maximum et la reconnaissance faciale/empreinte digitale permet un accès de plus de 30 heures, tant que vous vous authentifiez une fois pendant cette période de temps. Pour plus de détails, veuillez consulter notre guide utilisateur, Accès au trading prolongé.
 

 

Plafonds de retrait

Les clients adhérant au système d'accès sécurisé bénéficient de plafonds de retrait supérieurs tandis que les clients n'en bénéficiant pas sont soumis à des restrictions journalières et hebdomadaires. Le montant qu'un client participant est autorisé à retirer ou à transférer pour une période de un à cinq jours augmente en fonction de la valeur de protection de l'appareil. Ce montant est détaillé dans le tableau ci-dessous.

Appareil de sécurité Retrait maximum par jour Retrait maximum pour 5 jours ouvrables
Aucune 50K USD 100K USD
SMS 200K USD 600K USD
Authentification IBKR Mobile (IB Key) 1M USD 1M USD
Carte de codes de sécurité* 200K USD 600K USD
Digital Security Card* 1M USD 1,5M USD
Digital Security Card+ Illimité Illimité
Platinum*/Gold* Illimité Illimité
Remarque : * Ces appareils ne sont plus en circulation.
 

Retour au début

 

Informations complémentaires 

Consultez KB2636 pour plus d'informations et procédures concernant les dispositifs de sécurité.
Consultez KB2277 pour des informations complètes concernant l'authentification IBKR Mobile (IB Key) pour Android.
Consultez KB2278 pour des informations complètes concernant l'authentification IBKR Mobile (IB Key) pour iOS.
 
 
 

 

CFTC Ownership and Control Reporting

The Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has historically maintained rules which require FCMs to report information relating to clients holding positions equal to or exceeding defined thresholds (e.g., Large Trader Reporting).  In November 2013, the CFTC adopted a new rule which expands the prior reporting rules and which requires the collection and reporting of more comprehensive information on owners and controllers of accounts trading U.S. commodity futures products.  This new rule is referred to as Ownership and Control Reporting (OCR) and outlined below are a series of FAQs relating to this rule. 

1. Who must provide CFTC OCR information?
In order to comply with the requirement that any account meeting the position or volume thresholds be reported to the CFTC by 09:00 ET on the day following the day in which the account becomes reportable, IB requires that all accounts trading U.S. commodity futures products provide the requested information.
 
2. What information must be provided?
The following information is required of all Owners and Controllers of an account:
• Name
• Street Address
• Email Address
• Direct Phone Number, Including Country Code
 
The following details are also required for owners and controllers that are legal entities:
• Legal Entity Identifier (LEI), If Applicable
• Contact Person Details:
o Name
o Job Title
o Relationship to Legal Entity
o Direct Phone Number, Including Country Code
 
The following details are also required for all individuals who are “Account Controllers”:
• Individual’s Relationship to Account Owner
• Individual’s Job Title
• Name of Individual’s Employer
• Employer’s Legal Entity Identifier (LEI), If Applicable
 
3. Who is an "Account Owner" for the purposes of OCR?
An "Account Owner" includes any individual or legal entity who holds a direct ownership interest in the trading account.

4. Who is an "Account Controller" for the purposes of OCR?
The CFTC defines an “Account Controller” as “a natural person who by power of attorney or otherwise actually directs the trading of an account. A trading account may have more than one controller.”
This definition can be found at 17 C.F.R. § 15.00(bb).
 
5. What is the "Head of Desk" option?
As noted above, you must provide full OCR information for all Owners and Controllers of your account. Unless you indicate otherwise, IB presumes that every active TWS user on your account is an Account Controller for CFTC OCR purposes.
 
Your institution may have a "Head of Desk" who directs the trading of your institution's trading account, with the other traders simply acting under this individual's direction.  If this is the case, you can identify the "head of desk" using the Account Management OCR interface, in which case "Account Controller" information will only be required for that individual.
 
6. What is a Legal Entity Identifier (LEI)?
An LEI is a unique 20 -digit alphanumeric code associated with a single organization and which is intended to be recognized universally across regulatory agencies and jurisdictions.
-If any of the Account Owners or Controllers of your account have LEIs, you must provide the LEIs;
-If an Account Owner or Controller of your account does not have an LEI, you can select "non applicable".
 
DTC, in collaboration with SWIFT, operate as the local (U.S.) source provider of LEIs and maintains a website (www.gmeiutility.org) for the assignment of new and search of existing LEIs.
 
7. What is a National Futures Association (NFA) ID?
A number which the National Futures Organization assigns to each registrant (e.g., firms and individuals such as Commodity Trading Advisors and Commodity Pool Operators). The NFA maintains an Online Registration System (ORS) through which registration and assignment of the ID is provided. See www.nfa.futures.org
 
8. How do I know if my employer has an LEI or NFA ID?
You may ask your employer to provide you with this information or search one of the following websies:
 
LEI searches may be performed via the following DTC website: www.gmeiutility.org. Searches may be conducted by the entity's registered legal name or address.
 
NFA ID searches may be performed via the following NFA webpage: www.nfa.futures.org/basicnet/welcome.aspx . Searches may be conducted by entering a firm name, individual name or pool name.
 
9. Why must I provide this information?
U.S. federal regulations require all FCMs, including IB, to obtain this information from its clients. The requirement is universal and applies to any individual or entity regardless of their broker.
 
10. Does OCR apply to non-U.S. persons?
Yes, if you wish to trade U.S. commodity futures products, we must collect this information from you.
 
11. How will Interactive Brokers treat this information?
This data will be kept confidential in accordance with the Interactive Brokers Group Privacy Statement. See link for details: https://individuals.interactivebrokers.com/en/index.php?f=ibgStrength&p=priv
 
12. Can I enter the OCR information in multiple sessions?
Unfortunately, all data must be entered within a single session and partial entry and a save option is not available. If you do not enter all required OCR information in a single session, you will need to start all over and reenter it in your next session.
 
13. Are foreign brokers subject to OCR?
Yes. As a foreign broker you must either:
a) Ensure that IB has OCR information for all of your customers that trade U.S. commodity futures products; or
b) Perform your own OCR submissions on their behalf.
 
14. Where can I learn more?
The full text of this rule change is available on the CFTC website

 

Hong Kong - China Stock Connect

Hong Kong – China Stock Connect (“China Connect”) is a mutual market access program through which Hong Kong and international investors can trade shares listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) and Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE) via the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (SEHK) and their existing clearinghouse. As a member of SEHK, IBKR provides you with direct access to trade with eligible listed products on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchange. IBKR clients with China Connect trading permissions will be eligible to trade SSE/SZSE securities through Shanghai and Shenzhen - Stock Connect.

Among the different types of SSE/SZSE-listed securities, only A shares (shares in mainland China-based companies that trade on Chinese stock exchange) are included in the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Connect.

Shanghai Connect includes all the constituent stocks of the SSE 180 Index, SSE 380 Index and all the SSE-listed A shares that have corresponding H shares listed on the SEHK.

Product List and Stock Codes for SSE

Shenzhen Connect includes all the constituent stocks of the SZSE Component Index, the SZSE Small/Mid Cap Innovation Index that have a market capitalization of not less than RMB 6 billion and all the SZSE-listed A shares that have corresponding H shares listed on SEHK.

Product List and Stock Codes for SZSE

IBKR Commission for Trading SSE/SZSE Securities

Same as trading Hong Kong stocks, IBKR charges only 0.08% of trade value as a commission with a minimum CNH 15 per order. Detailed fee rates can be found in the Hong Kong – China Stock Connect Northbound fee table.

Daily Quota

Trading under Shanghai Connect and Shenzhen Connect is subject to a Daily Quota. The Daily Quota is applied on a “net buy” basis. The Daily Quota limits the maximum net buy value of cross-boundary trades under Shanghai Connect and Shenzhen Connect each day.

If the Northbound Daily Quota Balance drops to zero or the Daily Quota is exceeded during the opening call auction session, new buy orders will be rejected. Or if it happens during a continuous auction session or closing call auction session, no further buy orders will be accepted for the remainder of the day. SEHK will resume the Northbound buying service on the following trading day.

SEHK will also publish the remaining balance of the Aggregate Quota and Daily Quota.

For details, please refer to HKEX Stock Connect FAQ or HKEX Stock Connect Rule 1407

Trading Information of Shanghai and Shenzhen Connect

Trading currency

RMB

Order Type

IBKR offers various order types but will stimulate the order into limit order for execution. More information can be referred to our website.

 

Tick Size / Spread

Uniform at RMB 0.01

Board Lot

100 shares (applicable for buyers only)

Odd Lot

Sell orders only (odd lot should be made in one single order)

Max Order Size

1 million shares

Price Limit

±10% on previous closing price (±5% for stocks under special treatment under risk alert, i.e. ST and *ST stocks)

Day (Turnaround) Trading

Not allowed

Block Trade

Not available

Manual Trade

Not available

Order Modification

IBKR will cancel and replace the order for any order

modification

Settlement cycle

Securities: Settlement on T day

Cash from China Connect trades: Settlement on T+1 day

Forex*: Settlement on T+2 day

*Due to the unsynchronized settlement cycle, clients who exchange CNH themselves should execute the Forex trade one day prior to the stock trade (T-1) to avoid the extra day’s interest payment (considering normal settlement without involving holidays).

Trading Hours

SSE/SZSE Trading Sessions

SSE/SZSE Trading Hours

Opening Call Auction

09:15 - 09:25

Continuous Auction (Morning)

09:30 – 11:30

Continuous Auction (Afternoon)

13:00 – 14:57

Closing Call Auction

14:57 – 15:00

Note: SSE and SZSE will not accept order cancellations from 09:20 to 09:25 and 14:57 p.m. to 15:00.

Half-day Trading

If a Northbound trading day is a half-trading day in the Hong Kong market, it will continue until respective Connect Market is closed. Refer to the exchange website for holiday trading arrangements and additional information.

Disclosure Obligation

If client holds or controls up to 5% of the issued shares of China Connect, the client is required to report in writing to the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) and the relevant exchange, and inform the Mainland listed company within three working days of reaching 5%.

The client is not allowed to continue purchasing or selling shares in that Mainland listed company during the three days notification period. Visit the IBKR Knowledge Base for more information.

Shareholding Restriction

A single foreign investor’s shareholding in a Mainland listed company is not allowed to exceed 10% of the company’s total issued shares, while all foreign investors’ shareholding in the A shares of the listed company is not allowed to exceed 30% of its total issued shares. Visit the IBKR Knowledge Base for more information.

Forced-sale Arrangement

Each IBKR client is not allowed to hold more than a specific percentage of the China Connect listing company's total issued shares. HKEX requires the client to follow the forced-sell requirements if the shares exceed the limit:

Situation

Shareholding (in a listed company)

A single foreign investor

> = 10% of the company’s total issued shares

All foreign investors

> = 30% of the company’s total issued shares

Margin Financing

Margin trading in China Connect securities will subject to restrictions and only certain A shares will be eligible for margin trading. Eligible Securities, as determined by SSE and SZSE from time to time, are listed on the HKEX website

According to the relevant rules of SSE and SZSE, either market may suspend margin trading activities in specific A shares when the volume of margin trading activities for a specific A share exceeds the prescribed threshold. The market will resume margin trading activities in the affected A share when its volume drops below a prescribed threshold.

Stock Borrowing and Lending (SBL)

SBL in China Stock Connect Securities is subject to restrictions set by the SSE or SZSE and stated in the Rules of the Exchange.
IBHK does not offer this service at the moment.

Eligible Short Selling Securities

SBL for the purpose of short selling will be limited to those China Stock Connect Securities that are eligible for both buy orders and sell orders through Shanghai and Shenzhen Connect (i.e., excluding Connect Securities that are only eligible for sell orders).
IBHK does not offer this service at the moment.

Trading Shenzhen ChiNext and Shanghai Star shares

Trading Shenzhen ChiNext and Shanghai Star shares are limited to institutional professional investors.

Holidays

Clients will only be allowed to trade China Connect on days where Hong Kong and Mainland markets are both open for trading and banking services are available in both Hong Kong and Mainland markets on the corresponding settlement days. This arrangement is essential in ensuring that investors and brokers will have the necessary banking support on the relevant settlement days when they will be required to make payments.

The following table illustrates the holiday arrangement of Northbound trading of SSE/SZSE Securities:

 

Mainland

Hong Kong

Open for Northbound Trading

Day 1

Business Day

Business Day

Yes

Day 2

Business Day

Business Day

No, HK market closes on money settlement day

Day 3

Business Day

Public Holiday

No, HK market closes on trading day

Day 4

Public Holiday

Business Day

No, Mainland market closes

Severe Weather Conditions

Information on the trading arrangement available under severe weather conditions can found on the HKEx website

Where to Learn More?

Please refer to the following exchange website links for additional information regarding Hong Kong China Stock Connect:

If you have any questions regarding Hong Kong-China Stock Connect, please contact IBKR Client Services for further information.
 

Foreign Acount Tax Compliance Act (FATCA)

What is FATCA?

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) represents the United States efforts to combat tax evasion and abuse by US persons holding investments outside of the United States.  The Act establishes a new set of tax information reporting and withholding procedures.  While not expressly aimed at non-US persons, the regulations do impose withholding taxes on certain non-US entities that decline to disclose their US investors or account holders.

Under FATCA, US persons must report to the US tax authority, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), their assets held in offshore accounts.  In addition, the regulations seek to require non-US financial institutions to report to the US tax authority certain information about financial accounts of US or US-owned investors and account holders.

 

How does this impact US Brokers, including Interactive Brokers?

As a broker based in the United States, Interactive Brokers is required to report information and make payment of withholding taxes to the IRS, for all of our customers.  FATCA simply creates additional practices and withholdings to the current requirements for all US brokers.

Interactive Brokers will comply with the new rules.  This may require additional disclosures by investors during the account application process, as well as expanded tax reporting.  For all US institutions, FATCA becomes effective January 1, 2013.  Any FATCA tax withholding requirements begin on January 1, 2014.

Additional aspects of the regulations will be phased-in over the next few years, including an expansion of US brokers reporting on US source income to non-US accounts through Form 1042-S.

 

What action is required for US persons?

No additional action is required for US persons holding Interactive Brokers accounts.   US persons, who include US citizens, Green Card holders and other legal residents,  need only to complete Form W-9 during the account application process to certify their tax status. 

 

Does FATCA affect non-US accounts?  

Yes.  FATCA requires foreign financial institutions (FFIs) to furnish certain data directly to the IRS about any of their US taxpayer accounts or foreign entity accounts in which US taxpayers hold a certain level of ownership.  FFI compliance with the new regulations becomes effective July 1, 2013 with the submission of electronic FFI applications to the IRS.  The application forms are scheduled to be available through the IRS in January 2013.

All non-US persons and entities applying for and maintaining Interactive Broker accounts will continue to be  required to fully disclose and indentify the identity of their account's beneficial owner(s).  Through the IRS Form W-8, our account holders certify the beneficial owner's country of tax residence.  If you fail to provide a Form W-8, or do not resubmit a new W-8 when prompted upon the three-year expiration, additional withholding will apply.

Some entities not ordinarily considered to be financial institutions may be categorized under FATCA as an FFI.  Therefore, it is important to review the details outlined by the IRS.

 

Is there a summary of FFI requirements? 

While the regulations and compliance are far more complex than a brief FAQ can describe, the following offers a short summary of actions required by those defined foreign financial institutions.

  • Identify US taxpayers.  If US taxpayers refuse to waive your non-US country's privacy or secrecy rules, then the US taxpayer account must be closed.
  • Report to the IRS on the related US taxpayer activity within defined financial accounts.
  • Withhold 30% US tax on US source income against any US taxpayer or foreign entity failing to disclose information or comply with the FATCA regulations.

 

Additional Information & Resources

The IRS remains the most comprehensive and up-to-date resource about FATCA compliance, implementation, and document filing.  The IRS continues to issue news releases and forms.  Please feel free to visit the IRS FATCA Website for details. 

 

IRS Circular 230 Notice: These statements are provided for information purposes only, are not intended to constitute tax advice which may be relied upon to avoid penalties under any federal, state, local or other tax statutes or regulations, and do not resolve any tax issues in your favor.

IRA: Retirement Account Resource Center

IMPORTANT NOTE: This article has been customized for use by self-directed Individual Retirement Account (IRA) owners for information purposes only.  Persons are encouraged to consult a qualified tax professional with the investments and elections within the IRA.   IB does not provide tax advice.  For detailed information regarding IRAs, you may consult the IRS Publication 590-A about IRA contributions and the IRS Publication 590-B about IRA distributions.

This resource center provides a central reference point for information concerning the various IRA account types offered by IB. 

Important Notice - Select IRA Tax Reporting for key information with transaction and tax reporting in your IRA.

 

Account Management IRA Reference

Account Management IRA Tab

Beneficiary Options

Charitable Distributions

Conversions to a Roth IRA

Direct Rollovers - How & When

Frequently Asked Questions

Recharacterizations from a Roth IRA

Required Minimum Distributions

Rollover Rules & Conditions

Understanding Tax Forms

 

 

 IRS Circular 230 Notice: These statements are provided for information purposes only, are not intended to constitute tax advice which may be relied upon to avoid penalties under any federal, state, local or other tax statutes or regulations, and do not resolve any tax issues in your favor.

How to send documents to IBKR using your smartphone

Overview: 

Interactive Brokers allows you to send us a copy of a document even if you do not currently have access to a scanner. You can take a picture of the requested document with your smartphone.

Below you will find the instructions on how to take a picture and send it per email to Interactive Brokers with the following smartphone operating systems:

If you already know how to take and send pictures per email using your smartphone, please click HERE - Where to send the email to and what to include in the subject.

 

iOS
1. Swipe up from the bottom of your smartphone screen and tap the camera icon.

If you do not have the Camera icon, you can tap the Camera app icon from the home screen of your iPhone.

Normally your phone should now activate the rear camera. If it activates the front one, tap the camera switch button.


2. Place your iPhone above the document and frame the desired portion or page of the document.

 

3. Make sure to have uniform, sufficient lighting and not to cast any shadow on the document due to your position.  Hold the smartphone firmly with your hand/s and avoid shaking. Tap on the shutter button to take the photo.

 

4. Tap the thumbnail image in the lower left-hand corner to access the picture you have just taken.


5.  Make sure that the picture is clear and the document is well legible. You can enlarge the picture and see it in detail by swiping apart two fingers on the picture itself.

If the picture does not present a good quality or lighting, please repeat the previous steps in order to take a sharper one.


6. Tap the share icon in the lower left-hand corner of the screen.



7. Tap the Mail icon.

Note: to send emails your phone has to be configured for that. Please contact your email provider if you are not familiar with this procedure.

 

8. Please see HERE how to populate the To: and Subject: fields of your email. Once the email is ready, tap the up arrow icon on the top right to send it.

 


Android
1. Open your applications list and start the Camera app. Alternatively start it from your Home screen. Depending on your phone model, maker or setup, the app might be called differently.

Normally your phone should now activate the rear camera. If it activates the front one, tap the camera switch button.

 

2. Place your Android above the document and frame the desired portion or page of the document.

 

3. Make sure to have uniform, sufficient lighting and not to cast any shadow on the document due to your position.  Hold the smartphone firmly with your hand/s and avoid shaking. Tap on the shutter button to take the photo.


4.  Make sure that the picture is clear and the document is well legible. You can enlarge the picture and see it in detail by swiping apart two fingers on the picture itself.

If the picture does not present a good quality or lighting, please repeat the previous steps in order to take a sharper one.


5. Tap the empty circle icon in the lower right-hand corner of the screen.   

 

6. Tap the share icon in the lower left-hand corner of the screen.


7. In the sharing menu that will be displayed now tap the icon of the email client set up on your phone. In the example picture below, it is called Gmail but the name may vary according to your specific setup.

Note: to send emails your phone has to be configured for that. Please contact your email provider if you are not familiar with this procedure.

8. Please see HERE how to populate the To and Subject fields of your email. Once the email is ready, tap the airplane icon on the top right to send it.

 


WHERE TO SEND THE EMAIL AND WHAT TO INCLUDE IN THE SUBJECT
The email has to be created observing the below instructions:
1. In the field To: type:

  •   newaccounts@interactivebrokers.com if you are a resident of a non-European country
  •   newaccounts.uk@interactivebrokers.co.uk if you are a European resident

2. The Subject: field must contain all of the below:

  •     Your account number (it usually has the format Uxxxxxxx, where x are numbers) or your username
  •     The purpose of sending the document. Please use the below convention:
    • PoRes for a proof of residential address
    • PID for a proof of identity

 

Change Your Billable Account

If you have additional linked, duplicate or consolidated accounts, the Billable Account section appears on the Market Data Subscriptions screen. Use the Billable Accounts panel to change the account that is currently being billed for market data.

To change your billable account

1. Click Settings > User Settings
2. In the Trading Platform panel, click the Configure (gear) icon for Market Data Subscriptions.

The Market Data Subscription screen opens.

3. Click the Configure (gear) icon in the Billable Account panel.
4. Select the account you want to be billed for market data, then click Save.

Beginning with the next billing cycle, your market data subscriptions will be billed to the account you selected.

 

 

Cost Basis Reporting

 

1099 Reporting

Year End Reports

Account Transfers

 

1099 Reporting 

Statement and Year End Reporting for US persons and entities comprises the following:

1.  Cost Basis:  While the required reporting schedule was staggered, the primary cost basis that will be reported to the IRS includes equities bought and sold after December 31, 2010.  This includes the adjusted cost basis resulting from wash sales and corporate actions.

The future phase-in period for broker reporting includes the assets sold on or after the following dates:

--- Mutual Funds and  ETFS - 1/1/2012

--- Simple debt instruments (i.e. treasuries, fixed-rate bonds & municipal bonds) and options,  - 1/1/2014

--- Other debt instruments - 1/1/2016

2.  Tax Basis Method:  Brokers are required to use the method first in, first out (FIFO), unless given other instructions by an investor.  Changes to your tax basis method may be submitted through the Tax Optimizer.  The Tax Optimizer is launched from within Account Management and is available for stock, option, bond, warrant and single-stock future trades.  

IB offers multiple  tax basis methods, including three basic options:

●        First In, First Out (FIFO) - This is the default option.  FIFO assumes that the oldest security in inventory is matched to the most recently sold security.

●         Last In, First Out (LIFO) - LIFO assumes that the newest security acquired is sold first.

●         Specific Lot - Lets you see all of your tax lots and closing trades, then manually match lots to trades. Specific Lot is not available as the Account Default Match Method.

Tax Optimizer also lets you select the following additional derivatives of the specific identification method.

●        Highest Cost (HC), Maximize Long-Term Gain (MLTG), Maximize Long-Term Loss (MLTG), Maximize Short-Term Gain (MSTG), and Maximize Short-Term Loss(MSTL).


For complete instructions on using the Tax Optimizer and details on the lot-matching algorithms for each method, see the Tax Optimizer Users Guide.

Note:  Changing your tax basis is effective immediately.  The basis selected will be applied to all subsequent trades on the account statements and tax reports.  Updates will not affect previously closed trades nor the TWS profit and loss data displayed.


3.  Gain & Loss Categories:  An additional requirement to the cost basis reporting is the capital gain or loss category.  The gain or loss category of equities is determined by the length of time in which the security was held, known as the "holding period." 

●         Short-Term - Holding periods of one year or less are categorized as "short-term."

●         Long-Term  - Holding periods over one year are categorized as "long-term."

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Year End Reports

The following statements and reports display cost basis information that will be reported on Form 1099-B for eligible accounts.

  • Monthly Account Statements
  • Annual Account Statements 
  • Worksheet for Form 8949

For a complete review of the tax information and year end reporting available, click here.

Note:  Unlike the Account Statements, the Gain & Loss Worksheet for Form 8949 may consolidate sell trades.  The cost basis will be adjusted, as required for 1099-B reporting.

 

Asset Transfers

U.S. legislation from 2008 included new guidelines for tax reporting by U.S. financial institutions.  Effective January 2011, U.S.  Brokers are required to report cost basis on sold assets, whether or not a gain/loss is short-term (held one year or less) or long-term (held more than one year).   U.S. brokerage firms, Interactive Brokers LLC (IB) included, implemented changes to comply with the legislation.

For more information on cost basis with asset transfers, see Cost Basis & Asset Transfers.

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Disclaimer:  IB does not provide tax advice. These statements are provided for information purposes only, are not intended to constitute tax advice which may be relied upon to avoid penalties under any international, federal, state, local or other tax statutes or regulations, and do not resolve any tax issues in your favor. We recommend that you consult a qualified tax adviser or refer to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

ACATS Transfer Guide (US brokerage account transfers)

ACATS Transfer Guide

Introduction

ACATS Transfer Benefits

Navigating The Process

Incoming Or Outgoing

Initiating Your Transfer

What To Expect

Who To Contact For Help

 

Introduction

Understanding the basic facts about transferring accounts between US brokerage firms can be help to avoid delays.  Through this article and other Knowledge Database resources, Interactive Brokers seeks to assist with your incoming and outgoing ACATS requests.

US brokerage firms utilize a standardized system to transfer customer accounts from one firm to another.  Known as the Automated Customer Account Transfer Service or ACATS, the process allows assets to move seamlessly between  brokerage firms in a unified time frame.   ACATS transfers are facilitated by a third party, the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC), to assist participating members with timely asset transfers.

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ACATS Transfer Benefits

The majority of assets may be transferred between US brokerage firms and some banks through ACATS.  This standardized system includes stocks, US corporate bonds, listed options, unit investment trusts, mutual funds, and cash.  Information on assets eligible for transfer is provided at "Assets Eligible..."  Though impacted by multiple factors and time constraints, the accepted or rejected transfers finalize within 10 business days in most cases.

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Navigating The Process

4 simple steps of the ACATS process will help you understand the flow and minimize delays.  Familiarizing yourself with the transfer process helps to ensure a successful transition.

1.  Incoming or Outgoing

2.  Initiating Your Transfer

3.  What to Expect

4.  Who to Contact For Help 

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 1. Incoming or Outgoing

 

Incoming ACATS Transfers

The financial institution that is receiving your assets and account transfer is known as the "receiving firm."  Investors always work with and through the "receiving firm" to move full or partial account assets into a new broker. 

Contact the "receiving firm" (Interactive Brokers) to review the firm's trading policies and requirements.  You should verify that your assets are eligible for trading at the "receiving firm" before initiating the transfer request.   Not all ACATS transferable assets are acceptable for trading at every brokerage firm.

Outgoing ACATS Transfers

All outgoing ACATS transfers, full or partial, must be approved by the "delivering firm."  Investors, however, should work with and through the "receiving firm" in order to begin the the transfer process or to status the progress of the request.      

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2. Initiating Your Transfer

Investors must always begin the ACATS transfer with the "receiving firm."  An ACATS transfer form or Transfer Initiation Form (TIF) must be submitted.  The "receiving firm" takes your reqeust and communicates with the "delivering firm" via ACATS.  The process begins with this request for transfer of the account. 

For your Interactive Brokers Account, the transfer is usually submitted online.  Video instruction on submitting the transfer is provided at "How to deposit funds via a full ACATS/ATON Transfer."  or through Step-by-step instructions.

Note: Outgoing account transfers from your IB account should be directed to the other broker.  Your request will be submitted to IB from the other broker through the ACATS electronically.

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3. What to Expect

Your Account

Brokers ensure the safety and security of transfer requests by only authorizing requests between open accounts that meet the following criteria:

  • Same Account Title
  • Same Tax ID Number
  • Same Account Type

Transfer Approval

Ultimately responsible for validating the transfer,  the "delivering firm" may accept  information from the "receiving firm" correcting data originally entered.  Approved or validated requests result in the delivery of positions to the "receiving firm" for their acceptance.   Assets may not be accepted by the "receiving firm" for the following:

  • Non-marginable or Margin (credit) violation
  • Not Tradable
  • DTC Chill

Note: The most common reasons for ACATS rejections are outlined by clicking here.

Processing Time-frame

The processing time for each transfer request is fixed.  In general, approved transfers complete within 4 to 8 business days.  Almost all transfers complete within 10 business days.  Each firm is required to perform certain steps at specific intervals in the process.  Feel free to review the Full ACATS transfer process flow.

 

Fees

While Interactive Brokers does not charge a fee to transfer your account via ACATS, some brokers do apply a fee for full and partial transfers. Prior to initiating your transfer, you should contact the "delivering firm" to verify any charge.

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4.  Who To Contact For Help

Interactive Brokers Customer Service stands poised to assist with your incoming ACATS transfer reqeust.  Click here for Customer Service contact resources.

Note:  Outgoing or ACATS transfers sending accounts to another broker should be directed to the "receiving firm."  Their Account Transfer Group will work with Interactive Brokers directly to complete your outgoing request.

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