Rebate calculators: trust them, but check against your statement
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2026 1:26 pm
IB and broker websites often have rebate calculators: enter your monthly volume, see your expected rebate. These are useful for comparison, but the figure that matters is what appears in your account.
Common discrepancies:
- Calculator assumes round turn, broker pays per side (or vice versa).
- Some instruments don't qualify (metals, indices).
- Trades held under a minimum time are excluded.
- Minimum volume thresholds apply.
- Rebates paid on closed trades only, with timing cutoffs.
How to verify:
1. Export your monthly trade history.
2. Calculate volume per instrument.
3. Apply the stated rebate rates.
4. Compare with the payment received.
If the difference is more than a few percent, ask for a breakdown. Most legitimate IBs will provide one.
Keep records: screenshots of the rebate terms when you signed up, the monthly calculations and payments.
Have you found discrepancies between expected and actual rebates?
Common discrepancies:
- Calculator assumes round turn, broker pays per side (or vice versa).
- Some instruments don't qualify (metals, indices).
- Trades held under a minimum time are excluded.
- Minimum volume thresholds apply.
- Rebates paid on closed trades only, with timing cutoffs.
How to verify:
1. Export your monthly trade history.
2. Calculate volume per instrument.
3. Apply the stated rebate rates.
4. Compare with the payment received.
If the difference is more than a few percent, ask for a breakdown. Most legitimate IBs will provide one.
Keep records: screenshots of the rebate terms when you signed up, the monthly calculations and payments.
Have you found discrepancies between expected and actual rebates?