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Comment for Proposed Rule 75 FR 3281

  • From: Rob Plank
    Organization(s):

    Comment No: 4925
    Date: 2/4/2010

    Comment Text:

    i0-001
    COMMENT
    CL-04925
    From:
    Sent:
    To:
    Subject:
    Attach:
    RobPlank
    Thursday, February 4, 2010 4:40 AM
    secretary
    Regulation of Retail Forex
    USA debt clock.bmp
    I have read that there are proposals to change rules again, one of
    several in the last twelve months.
    The CFTC needs to serious consider what the end effect will be on USA
    tax revenue if the CFTC imposes rules
    which are more restrictive or different than other countries. Basically,
    like several other industries it will be
    driven to oversea's locations and markets. Worse in my opinion, the
    profits will be first taxed where the account or corporation
    is located, even if the trader is located in the USA. Yes, the trader
    will finally pay taxes to the USA.
    Note, the foreign taxes paid will be credited against the USA taxes
    owed/paid. That is unless the tax laws
    are changed also.
    If reducing leverage is the true goal, then this must be done on an
    international basis; otherwise the traders/corporation
    will just relocate the trading accounts overseas. The major effect will
    be reduce USA tax receipts.
    With the projected budget deficits,and current USA government debt and
    unfunded obligations, this is not a wise move, simply stated. See
    attachment.
    Unless the leverage requirement is implemented on a international basis
    the only effect will be to change the
    leverage requirement for people who do not have significant assets to
    open an overseas account and or form an overseas corporation.
    I would suggest that the CFTC investigate what percentage of accounts
    would be effected by the proposed change in leverage.
    My guess would be that $100,000 of assets (total - not just in the
    trading account would be needed) in order to
    economically justify setting up an account or corporation overseas so
    one would not be at a disadvantage to "foreign" competitors.
    The actual percentage of accounts that would be effected would be much
    less than five percent as a guess. The other
    95% of the accounts, would move overseas. What would be the loss in tax
    revenue to the U.S. Treasury if this was to occur?
    Furthermore, this would prevent or discourage USA taxpayer who do not
    yet have sufficient assets to form get an "overseas" account
    from taking an interest in the markets. Just like any serious
    occupation, one does not immediately jump in and start making money, it
    takes
    time, experience and training. If discouraged, this is just one more
    industry that will permanently move off shore, taking with it the taxi0-001
    COMMENT
    CL-04925
    receipt, present
    and future.
    Bottom line, unless the leverage requirement is implemented on an
    international basis, the only effect ~vill be is to decrease
    USA tax revenue. Is the CFTC really this desperate to decrease USA tax
    revenue?