What’s a Capital Loss & How to Report It? Basics for Investors

What’s a Capital Loss & How to Report It? Basics for Investors

Key Takeaways

    Capital losses arise from the sale (at a loss) of a capital asset such as real estate, mutual funds, or shares of stock

    Depending on their filing status, taxpayers may deduct up to $3,000 of a net capital loss against salary and other income

    Short- and long-term holdings are treated differently

Tax season can be an annual exercise in keeping score financially. It’s a time when investors tally up their winners and their losers for the ultimate commissioner, the IRS. And that’s where capital gains and capital losses come in. Many investors are surely familiar with capital gains, but what about the other side of the coin—capital losses? Capital losses are just as important to understand and account for at tax time.

A capital loss typically stems from a financial loss from the sale of a capital asset such as real estate, mutual funds, bonds, or shares of stock. A capital loss deduction can offset capital gains and reduce tax liability, although there are limitations and important factors to consider such as short- versus long-term losses, “wash” sales, and more.

Let’s look at some basic questions about capital losses for taxpayers.

What defines a capital asset that may qualify for a capital loss deduction?

Many of the things people own and use for personal or investment purposes can be considered capital assets, according to the IRS. Examples include a home, a car, or stocks and bonds. Inherited property may be a capital asset.

When a capital asset is sold, a capital gain or loss is determined by calculating the difference between the adjusted “basis” (typically, what the owner paid for the asset) and the sale price. If you received the asset as a gift or inheritance, different basis rules apply.

How do I know whether I can take a capital loss deduction?

Know your limits and your time frames. Losses on investments are first used to offset capital gains of the same type, meaning short-term losses are first deducted against short-term gains, and long-term losses are deducted against long-term gains. Net losses of either type can then be deducted against the other kind of gain.

Make taxes a little less taxing.

The key to filing taxes is being prepared. TD Ameritrade provides information and resources to help you navigate tax season.

Here’s an example from Intuit TurboTax: If you have a $2,000 short-term loss and a $1,000 short-term gain in one calendar year, the net $1,000 short-term loss can be deducted against your net long-term gain (assuming you have one).

If you have an overall net capital loss for the year, you can deduct up to $3,000 of that loss against other kinds of income, including your salary and interest income. Any excess net capital loss can be carried over to subsequent years to be deducted against capital gains and against up to $3,000 of other kinds of income. (For those married filing separately, the annual net capital loss deduction limit is only $1,500.)

What’s the difference between a short-term capital loss and a long-term capital loss?

Short-term losses arise from the sale of assets owned one year or less; long-term losses come from the sale of assets held longer than one year. Short-term gains are taxed at your maximum tax rate, which was as high as 37% in 2018, while most long-term gains are taxed at either zero, 15%, or 20% for 2018, according to Intuit TurboTax.

If the asset is a gift or inheritance, certain exceptions apply. To determine how long you held the asset, you’d generally count from the day after the day you acquired the asset up to and including the day you disposed of the asset, according to IRS.gov.

How does the wash sale rule work?

Suppose you have a capital loss that you’d like to report for tax purposes, but you still see some long-term upside and don’t really want to exit your position. So you sell the asset at the end of the year and then buy it right back after the New Year’s party, right? Wrong. That’s a wash sale, and IRS rules prohibit you from claiming a deduction.

According to IRS.gov, a wash sale occurs when you sell or trade stock or securities at a loss and within 30 days before or after the sale you do any of the following:

    Buy “substantially identical” stock or securitiesAcquire substantially identical stock or securities in a fully taxable tradeAcquire a contract or option to buy substantially identical stock or securitiesAcquire substantially identical stock for your individual retirement account (IRA) or Roth IRA

For example, suppose an investor buys 100 shares of a stock for $1,000, sells those shares for $750, and within 30 days of the sale, buys 100 shares of the same stock for $800. Because the investor bought “substantially identical” stock, the loss of $250 is not tax deductible. However, the investor can add that disallowed loss ($250) to the cost of the new stock and establish the basis at $1,050.

If you purchase and sell stock at a loss within 30 days but don’t purchase or acquire substantially identical stock or securities, you have a short-term capital loss as opposed to a wash sale.

What IRS forms do I need to report capital losses or capital gains?

Taxpayers must generally file Form 8949, Sales and Other Dispositions of Capital Assets and Schedule D, Capital Gains and Losses with their tax returns to report capital gains and losses.

Have more questions about deducting capital losses? Seek advice from a professional tax accountant.

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