I think it's probably because traders who actually trade options for a living know how to use existing laws to minimize their tax bill. The people you are talk

I think it's probably because traders who actually trade options for a living know how to use existing laws to minimize their tax bill. The people you are talking about in startups are likely the tiny minority of people getting screwed, while seasoned traders use all sorts of tactics to have a very small tax bill at the end of the year.