marik, capital losses can only be offset against capital gains -...

marik, capital losses can only be offset against capital gains - generally speaking - but yours is an interesting question. There are some peculiar grey areas in relation to traders/investors, i've given up trying to understand the niceties of it all - it needs to be clarified, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Like for instance, in another area, why can't you automatically get car expenses, bus fares or train fares to and from your place of employment as a deduction against your income - it's clearly an expenses incurred in earning income, but no government is ever going to acknowledge such an anomaly.

.... and please don't post about mileage conditions, remote areas, second jobs..... I know all that. I mean for any job anywhere, transport to it is an expense. Period.