Copyright © 2013 Knight Sac Media. All rights reserved.http://www.siliconinvestor.com/subject.aspx?subjectid=32122 This subject is for participants to discuss their experiences with Interactive Brokers (Timberhill), both stocks and futures. Of course, questions are welcome, as well.http://www.siliconinvestor.com/images/Logo380x132.pnghttp://www.siliconinvestor.com/subject.aspx?subjectid=3212238013210rlleeQuestion on brokerage docs 1099 and 8949 which is reported to IRS. I noticed that form 1099 list cap gains/losses total for stocks only but form 8949 lists also totals of option trades gains/losses.Form 8949 is new since option gains/losses were never reported in previous years. One can import the 2012 cap gains/losses...http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=288143474/3/2013 5:14:25 PMNOWhttp://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=288109484/2/2013 2:28:28 AMZincmanhttp://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=288097414/1/2013 12:25:18 PMNOWhttp://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=288097264/1/2013 12:20:22 PMZincmanhttp://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=288094804/1/2013 10:44:14 AMNOWhow would one go about simply entering summary numbers from the 8949 and then attaching the 8949 as a pdf if one has multiple brokers?http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=288089693/31/2013 8:16:00 PMNOWwell at least that one is cheap But does it work in 2012: so far I have been stymied by 2 others!http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=288089653/31/2013 8:14:18 PMZincmanThat is a real pain in the ass. I have used various programs over the years. Something like this.. investotek.com http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=288082923/31/2013 10:17:55 AMpeter michaelsonMaybe they are offended by your use of the term 'borker' and they don't want to help you. :-)http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=288080843/30/2013 11:34:36 PMNOWonce again, IB cant create a TXF from for me Why is this so when all my other borkers can?http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=288080383/30/2013 10:52:22 PMGottfriedGary, there's a Java update and I installed it last night. TWS runs ok with it. The security warning was for using Java in browsers, not TWS [graphic]Message 28662440http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=286628981/14/2013 10:46:53 AMGary EHi Ken There's not a peep about this on the IB website... and I heard it on the nationwide news... Is it possible that IB does not know? .... I doubt that... So... what to do now? Garyhttp://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=286627401/14/2013 9:22:12 AMKen AdamsNow Java users are being advised to immediately disable the program due to newly discovered hacker potential. How will the IB Trader Workstation be enabled if we disable Java? blogs.kqed.org http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=286582901/11/2013 1:41:11 PMrlleeIB & wash sale accounting for options - Does IB now provide information on wash-sale info on options or does one have to do it yourselves when reporting to IRS? If so is it possible to avoid getting a Professional Trader designation for a frequent options trader? This issue is clearly a headache.http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=2862237812/23/2012 10:28:18 AMalanrsI think there is a way to differentiate, you'd have to ask them. I always entered my data by hand, it's kind of a pain in the ass. There's probably a way to link that to an account, again, they would know, it's been a few years since I traded in a taxable account. ARShttp://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=2853435711/8/2012 5:25:44 PMrlleeThanks for the link. Very useful info. One of the disadvantages of selecting the Professional Trader designation for income tax purposes is the (higher?) possibility of being audited. Has this been an issue for anyone out on this board?http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=2853429611/8/2012 5:03:49 PMrlleeThanks for the reply. Since I have several brokerage accounts, not all accounts may generate a gainskeeper-consistent format, how would gainskeeper handle that issue. Also, did you find that you have to massage the trade data at all or does gainskeeper eliminate any manual correction of insufficient or unavailable da...http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=2853428611/8/2012 5:00:13 PMwilywillyHere is a discussion of choosing professional trader status: fairmark.com  I have found the Fairmark message board to be a good resource for asking tax questions - answers are generally pretty timely, and the responders are often CPAs or registered agents.http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=2851834311/2/2012 7:28:15 PMalanrsEach leg is a separate trade. I used Gainskeeper for 10 years, downloaded directly to TaxAct, always worked right. FWIW ARShttp://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=2851775911/2/2012 3:51:11 PMrlleeQuestion on Profession Trader status for Tax purposes and accounting of trades - In the past year I have been very active on trading options using combine strategies like spreads and iron condors, etc. Each transaction involves 2 to 4 option legs. Is each leg counted as a trade for tax purposes? If so, my total trades...http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=2851770211/2/2012 3:33:24 PMbeckyaChrome OS is all cloud software based. No hardware drivers needed. Lots of resources here: google.com http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=2851035110/30/2012 7:29:03 PMbeckyaYes, I suspect so. Google installing Chrome OS on an older Windows machine. It can probably be done from a 4 Gig USB stick drive.http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=2851032810/30/2012 7:19:33 PMrlleeFollow-up: Does the Chrome OS come with any hardware drivers or will it work only for Chrome-based hardware?http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=2850973910/30/2012 2:23:55 PMrlleeI have an older Celeron-based Toshiba laptop that is underpowered for the the newer Windows OS. Would I benefit by switching to Chrome OS? If so I will look into switching. TIAhttp://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=2850973110/30/2012 2:21:00 PMbeckyaCheck out tradingview.com for very nice charting, etc. that runs on Chrome OS (or your browser) using HTML5. I'm thinking of dumping my Windows based trading systems (and antivirus, malware, win updates, system restore, etc.) for Google Chrome OS. We shall see.http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=2850538110/28/2012 12:04:04 PMbeckyaThanks, Now. I'm buying one of those new Samsung Google Chromebooks for $249. Now I need a charting system to run on it. . .Stockcharts should do. But I want Futures and Forex real time charts, too. . .http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=2849598810/24/2012 11:21:30 AMNOWhttp://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=2848903010/21/2012 6:19:24 PMbeckyahttp://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=2848890710/21/2012 4:43:31 PMGottfriedhttp://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=283541398/22/2012 5:30:51 PMKen Adamshttp://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=283539078/22/2012 4:20:09 PMGottfriedTWS sign-on window: how can I make the symbols I see larger without using a magnifying glass?http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=283533028/22/2012 1:54:37 PMKen AdamsIs anyone using the iPhone app for the Mobile TWS? I just learned of it and I'm very interested in it. I'd like to see some comments on how it works in that tiny window on my iPhone.http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=283457178/18/2012 6:13:59 PMKen AdamsIf you're referring to the lower margins at Global, that's a positive. The commissions are about the same as IB, if my very quick glance was correct. I really need to see their demo before I decide anything. What I've read about them appeals to me mainly because it's all one program for data, charts and trade execu...http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=283432008/17/2012 12:38:33 PMwilywillyOne advantage of Global Futures is that their margin requirement for E-mini futures is $400/contract vs. IB $1250-2500 or so, depending on the underlying. Their standard commission is $5/round trip vs. $4 at IB, but they are willing to "get competitive" if you trade often enough or have a large enough account. One dis...http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=283431158/17/2012 12:14:39 PMGary EKen.......that is VERY interesting..... I'm glad to have read that as my Son is interested in trading... and I'm looking for a place to get him started that avoids the regular high margins that IB requires and a bonus would be the use of something along the lines of BT... Please keep us all posted Thanks Garyhttp://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=283430888/17/2012 12:03:51 PMKen AdamsHi Gary.... my story gets complicated concerning Ninja Trader. Long ago you will recall hounding me about Bracket Trader. At that time I had reduced my trading interest to the ES only. I haven't traded anything else for years. I tried to make the bracket trading concept work with my TWS, but it didn't satisfy what ...http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=283423658/17/2012 7:44:15 AMGary EKen After clicking on the "Check for Updates" to the TWS this morning and clicking through the normal yes yes yes, a new TWS apeared no problem and i did not see any ref to Matrix...But since I'm prone to ignore a lot things I went to IB's home page and searched for "Matrix" and got 6 pages individuals.interactivebr...http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=283413368/16/2012 5:50:41 PMKen AdamsI just upgraded my TWS according to the advice from Ninja Trader. The new version presented me with a new look they call "Matrix". I was in a hurry to get things done and killed that before taking a look. Now, I'm wondering if that was too hasty. Can anyone tell me how to get a look at "Matrix" just to see if it's ...http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=283397098/16/2012 7:41:18 AMKen AdamsHad a quick series of 3 or 4 outages with IB late in the session. Each lasted only a few seconds, then reconnected. Annoying, in spite of the fact that I didn't even attempt a trade today.http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=283249278/9/2012 4:32:49 PMKen AdamsI was off line for a full hour. I wasn't trying to trade the slow market, so no damage done. Interestingly, I got a complete back fill when it came back up. I didn't expect that but sure was glad to see it.http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=283237568/9/2012 9:11:23 AMGary EThat;s good.... I also have a laptop connected using a AT&T DSL line,,, no problems there, rock solid... But my real question is... why?.. why do they let something go wrong... and then blame it on ABC.... not the tv network... ALLWAYS BLAME THE CUSTOMER..... Then ONLY when a bunch of people complain, do they de...http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=283228488/8/2012 5:45:43 PMwilywillyJust read this thread - FWIW my IB connection was up all day via Time Warner Cable in San Diego. No issues at all here .http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=283228178/8/2012 5:25:40 PMGary ESo... what was it ....COMCASTs FAULT ???? or Maybe someone at IB tripped over a wire and pulled a plug out of the wall ??? http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=283223958/8/2012 2:40:43 PMKen Adamshttp://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=283223798/8/2012 2:31:48 PMKen AdamsComcast lines are jammed here with a +10 minute wait to talk to a rep. I'm on speaker fone hold.....http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=283223378/8/2012 2:19:56 PMKen Adamsyes, comcast here. I'll call them too. although, my firefox connection and thunderbird connection works with my comcast. I don't believe it's Comcast.http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=283223128/8/2012 2:10:14 PMGary EDid you see the message on IB's "conectivity" ????? QUOTE.......... Comcast Connectivity Issues Some traders using Comcast are having difficulty logging in. Please contact Comcast for additional information. All IB systems are operating normally. [Mesg Id: 393828]http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=283223118/8/2012 2:09:54 PMGary EThey are blaming it on Comcast... so do you have Comcast? My other pc, the one that IS connected is on AT&T DSLhttp://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=283222738/8/2012 1:57:08 PMKen AdamsTheir phone lines are probably packed with callers. you may NEVER talk to anyone. I don't want to talk, I just want a connection.http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=283222678/8/2012 1:55:47 PMGary Eagree............. and one more thing...How do you like the speeeeeeedy answering the phone.....NOT !!!!!! They are blaming it on Comcast... so do you have Comcast? My other pc, the one that IS connected is on AT&T DSLhttp://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=283222558/8/2012 1:53:03 PM