Hi,

Would anybody happen to know if you can day trade (and possible/hopefully having gains) while receiving unemployment benefits from ALK? Or would you get penalized when doing the tax declaration the year after?
Thanks in advance!

IIRC you sign off the paper agreeing to inform the ALK about any income you get. I don't remember seeing any list what kind of income has to be reported, so maybe even everything and it would be up to ALK to decide if they should reduce your payment or not.

Just make sure that your day trading doesn't prevent you from being available with short notice if ALK calls you for a job interview, or if they enroll you in a language course or another type or training.

As most new comers, in case you are such a one, in day trading lose all there money according to the 90 rules, you will not even be able to have any bad feeling to not have reported any profit to the ALK. In case you make any profit, you may talk with your adviser by ALK and declare it as "Zwischenverdienst". You even will profit from this.

https://www.monster.ch/de/karrierebe...beitslosigkeit

In case you are really new to day trading, following what Brokers have experienced over decades about those traders: 90 days after opening an account, 90% of those traders have lost 90% of there capital.

I like trading on paper. It is a hobby to me and I enjoy it. Here my last thoughts on the Russel 2000, which I have made for my self on 22 of April 2021. Reason: Head and Shoulder formation on the daily chart from this specific future:



https://finviz.com/futures_charts.ashx?t=ER2&p=d1

If you may change your mind to not do it with real money for the mentioned reasons, then we also can/could have some fun here with paper trade thoughts. Just an idea from my side.

Damian

It does not really matter if you make a profit or not. It’s a question of whether you are available and actively seeking employment or not.

I am quite sure I read somewhere that you have to report your income. After all, the unemployment office is not very happy do distribute money if you don't really need it.

I suppose the best option is to ask directly the unemployment office.

EDIT:
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/without...fits-/45548988
"Am I allowed to do odd jobs or other modest-paying work?
Yes, but you need to report the income to the unemployment office. Failure to do so can result in docked allowances or even a criminal charge."

Actually this is not as official as where I remember I read it....but it is still something.

But are stock market gains "income"? If profits are kept in the account and reinvested (or re-gambled) then it’s not income. If you always remove your gains each month and spend the money then yes, it’s income. I recommend you don’t do that and therefore it is not income.

It does not work like that. If you are classified as a trader, then you are not doing a bridging job, you are self employed and no longer meet the unemployment requirements. Just like anyone else who moves to self employment.

Your logic makes sense, but is it the same one used at the tax office?
Actually even the accumulating ETFs would be included in that logic. Again I am not 100% but the dividends that are accumulated/reinvested , are counted as income for example. (sorry I don't have time to look for a reference document)