Losses
General rule
Amount of deduction
Limitation on losses of individuals
In the case of an individual, the deduction under subsection (a) shall be limited to—
losses incurred in a trade or business;
losses incurred in any transaction entered into for profit, though not connected with a trade or business; and
except as provided in subsection (h), losses of property not connected with a trade or business or a transaction entered into for profit, if such losses arise from fire, storm, shipwreck, or other casualty, or from theft.
Wagering losses
Theft losses
Capital losses
Worthless securities
General rule
Security defined
For purposes of this subsection, the term “security” means—
a share of stock in a corporation;
a right to subscribe for, or to receive, a share of stock in a corporation; or
a bond, debenture, note, or certificate, or other evidence of indebtedness, issued by a corporation or by a government or political subdivision thereof, with interest coupons or in registered form.
Securities in affiliated corporation
For purposes of paragraph (1), any security in a corporation affiliated with a taxpayer which is a domestic corporation shall not be treated as a capital asset. For purposes of the preceding sentence, a corporation shall be treated as affiliated with the taxpayer only if—
the taxpayer owns directly stock in such corporation meeting the requirements of section 1504(a)(2), and
more than 90 percent of the aggregate of its gross receipts for all taxable years has been from sources other than royalties, rents (except rents derived from rental of properties to employees of the corporation in the ordinary course of its operating business), dividends, interest (except interest received on deferred purchase price of operating assets sold), annuities, and gains from sales or exchanges of stocks and securities.
In computing gross receipts for purposes of the preceding sentence, gross receipts from sales or exchanges of stocks and securities shall be taken into account only to the extent of gains therefrom.
Treatment of casualty gains and losses
Dollar limitation per casualty
Net casualty loss allowed only to the extent it exceeds 10 percent of adjusted gross income
In general
If the personal casualty losses for any taxable year exceed the personal casualty gains for such taxable year, such losses shall be allowed for the taxable year only to the extent of the sum of—
the amount of the personal casualty gains for the taxable year, plus
so much of such excess as exceeds 10 percent of the adjusted gross income of the individual.
Special rule where personal casualty gains exceed personal casualty losses
If the personal casualty gains for any taxable year exceed the personal casualty losses for such taxable year—
all such gains shall be treated as gains from sales or exchanges of capital assets, and
all such losses shall be treated as losses from sales or exchanges of capital assets.
Definitions of personal casualty gain and personal casualty loss
For purposes of this subsection—
Personal casualty gain
Personal casualty loss
Special rules
Personal casualty losses allowable in computing adjusted gross income to the extent of personal casualty gains
Joint returns
Determination of adjusted gross income in case of estates and trusts
Coordination with estate tax
Claim required to be filed in certain cases
Disaster losses
Election to take deduction for preceding year
Year of loss
Amount of loss
Use of disaster loan appraisals to establish amount of loss
Federally declared disasters
For purposes of this subsection—
In general
Disaster area
Denial of deduction for losses on certain obligations not in registered form
In general
Definitions
For purposes of this subsection—
Registration-required obligation
Registered form
Exceptions
The Secretary may, by regulations, provide that this subsection and section 1287 shall not apply with respect to obligations held by any person if—
such person holds such obligations in connection with a trade or business outside the United States,
such person holds such obligations as a broker dealer (registered under Federal or State law) for sale to customers in the ordinary course of his trade or business,
such person complies with reporting requirements with respect to ownership, transfers, and payments as the Secretary may require, or
such person promptly surrenders the obligation to the issuer for the issuance of a new obligation in registered form,
but only if such obligations are held under arrangements provided in regulations or otherwise which are designed to assure that such obligations are not delivered to any United States person other than a person described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C).
Treatment as disaster loss where taxpayer ordered to demolish or relocate residence in disaster area because of disaster
In the case of a taxpayer whose residence is located in an area which has been determined by the President of the United States to warrant assistance by the Federal Government under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, if—
not later than the 120th day after the date of such determination, the taxpayer is ordered, by the government of the State or any political subdivision thereof in which such residence is located, to demolish or relocate such residence, and
the residence has been rendered unsafe for use as a residence by reason of the disaster,
any loss attributable to such disaster shall be treated as a loss which arises from a casualty and which is described in subsection (i).
Treatment of certain losses in insolvent financial institutions
In general
If—
as of the close of the taxable year, it can reasonably be estimated that there is a loss on a qualified individual’s deposit in a qualified financial institution, and
such loss is on account of the bankruptcy or insolvency of such institution,
then the taxpayer may elect to treat the amount so estimated as a loss described in subsection (c)(3) incurred during the taxable year.
Qualified individual defined
For purposes of this subsection, the term “qualified individual” means any individual, except an individual—
who owns at least 1 percent in value of the outstanding stock of the qualified financial institution,
who is an officer of the qualified financial institution,
who is a sibling (whether by the whole or half blood), spouse, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, ancestor, or lineal descendant of an individual described in subparagraph (A) or (B), or
who otherwise is a related person (as defined in section 267(b)) with respect to an individual described in subparagraph (A) or (B).
Qualified financial institution
For purposes of this subsection, the term “qualified financial institution” means—
any bank (as defined in section 581),
any institution described in section 591,
any credit union the deposits or accounts in which are insured under Federal or State law or are protected or guaranteed under State law, or
any similar institution chartered and supervised under Federal or State law.
Deposit
Election to treat as ordinary loss
In general
Limitations
Deposit may not be federally insured
Dollar limitation
Election
Any election by the taxpayer under this subsection for any taxable year—
shall apply to all losses for such taxable year of the taxpayer on deposits in the institution with respect to which such election was made, and
may be revoked only with the consent of the Secretary.
Coordination with section 166
Cross references
For special rule for banks with respect to worthless securities, see section 582.
For disallowance of deduction for worthlessness of securities to which subsection (g)(2)(C) applies, if issued by a political party or similar organization, see section 271.
For special rule for losses on stock in a small business investment company, see section 1242.
For special rule for losses of a small business investment company, see section 1243.
For special rule for losses on small business stock, see section 1244.
Source
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 49; Pub. L. 85–866, title I, §§ 7, 57(c)(1), title II, § 202(a),Notes
References in Text
Amendments
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Effective Date of 1974 Amendment
Effective Date of 1972 Amendment
Effective Date of 1971 Amendment
Effective Date of 1970 Amendment
Effective Date of 1964 Amendment
Effective Date of 1962 Amendment
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
amendments made by this title to subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] (relating to income taxes) [enacting section 558 of this title and amending this section and sections 152, 166, 168, 170, 172, 213, 337, 404, 421, 535, 545, 556, 582, 611, 613, 851, 1015, 1031, 1033, 1034, 1053, 1232, 1233, 1234, 1237, 1341, and 1347 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
amendments made by this title to subtitle F of such Code (relating to procedure and administration) [enacting sections 7513 and 7514 of this title and amending sections 6013, 6015, 6212, 6325, 6338, 6339, 6501, 6504, 6511, 6601, 6652, 6653, 6851, 6871, 7213, 7324, 7325, and 7422 of this title] shall take effect as of
Transitional Rule for 1984 Amendment
For purposes of paragraph (1)(B) of section 165(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954], adjusted gross income shall be determined without regard to the application of section 1231 of such Code to any gain or loss from an involuntary conversion of property described in subsection (c)(3) of section 165 of such Code arising from fire, storm, shipwreck, or other casualty or from theft.
Section 1231 of such Code shall be applied after the application of paragraph (1) of section 165(h) of such Code.”
Clarification of Treatment of Certain FSLIC Financial Assistance
General Rule.—
For purposes of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986—
any FSLIC assistance with respect to any loss of principal, capital, or similar amount upon the disposition of any asset shall be taken into account as compensation for such loss for purposes of section 165 of such Code, and
any FSLIC assistance with respect to any debt shall be taken into account for purposes of section 166, 585, or 593 of such Code in determining whether such debt is worthless (or the extent to which such debt is worthless) and in determining the amount of any addition to a reserve for bad debts arising from the worthlessness or partial worthlessness of such debts.
FSLIC Assistance.—
For purposes of this section, the term ‘FSLIC assistance’ means any assistance (or right to assistance) with respect to a domestic building and loan association (as defined in section 7701(a)(19) of such Code without regard to subparagraph (C) thereof) under section 406(f) of the National Housing Act [former 12 U.S.C. 1729(f)] or [former] section 21A of the Federal Home Loan Bank Act [12 U.S.C. 1441a] (or under any similar provision of law).
Effective Date.—
In general.—
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection—
The provisions of this section shall apply to taxable years ending on or after
If any FSLIC assistance not credited before
Exceptions.—
The provisions of this section shall not apply to any assistance to which the amendments made by section 1401(a)(3) of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 [Pub. L. 101–73, amending section 597 of this title and repealing provisions set out as a note under section 597 of this title] apply.”
Overpayments or Underpayments of Tax Attributable to Certain Amendments by Pub. L. 99–514 or Pub. L. 100–647
credit or refund of any such overpayment may nevertheless be made if claim therefore [sic] is filed before the date 1 year after such date of enactment, and
assessment of any such underpayment may nevertheless be made if made before the date 1 year after such date of enactment.”
Deduction for Bus and Freight Forwarder Operating Authority
Bus Operating Authority.—
In general.—
Subject to the modifications contained in paragraph (2), section 266 of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 [section 266 of Pub. L. 97–34, set out below] shall be applied as if the term ‘motor carrier operating authority’ included a bus operating authority.
Modifications.—
For purposes of paragraph (1), section 266 of such Act shall be applied—
by substituting ‘
by substituting ‘November 1982’ for ‘July 1980’ in subsection (a) thereof.
Bus operating authority defined.—
For purposes of this subsection and section 266 of such Act, the term ‘bus operating authority’ means—
a certificate or permit held by a motor common or contract carrier of passengers which was issued pursuant to subchapter II of chapter 109 of title 49, United States Code, and
a certificate or permit held by a motor carrier authorizing the transportation of passengers, as a common carrier, over regular routes in intrastate commerce which was issued by the appropriate State agency.
Freight Forwarder Operating Authority.—
In general.—
Subject to the modifications contained in paragraph (2), section 266 of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 [section 266 of Pub. L. 97–34, set out below] shall be applied as if subsection (b) thereof contained ‘or a freight forwarder’ after ‘contract carrier of property’.
Modifications.—
The modifications referred to in this paragraph are:
60-month period.—
The 60-month period referred to in section 266(a) of such Act shall begin with the later of—
the deregulation month, or
at the election of the taxpayer, the 1st month of the taxpayer’s 1st taxable year beginning after the deregulation month.
Authority must be held as of beginning of 60-month period.—
A motor carrier operating authority shall not be taken into account unless such authority is held by the taxpayer at the beginning of the 60-month period applicable to the taxpayer under subparagraph (A).
Adjusted basis not to exceed adjusted basis at beginning of 60-month period.—
The adjusted basis taken into account with respect to any motor carrier operating authority shall not exceed the adjusted basis of such authority as of the beginning of the 60-month period applicable to the taxpayer under subparagraph (A).
Deregulation month.—
For purposes of this section, the term ‘deregulation month’ means the month in which the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate determines that a Federal law has been enacted which deregulates the freight forwarding industry.
Special Rule for Motor Carrier Operating Authority.—
In the case of a corporation which was incorporated on
Application of Section 334(b)(2).—
For purposes of subsections (a) and (b), the reference to section 334(b)(2) in section 266(c)(2)(A)(ii) of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 [section 266(c)(2)(A)(ii) of Pub. L. 97–34, set out below] shall be a reference to such section as in effect before its repeal.
Effective Dates.—
Bus operating authority.—
In general.—
Subsection (a) shall apply to taxable years ending after
Statute of limitations.—
If refund or credit of any overpayment of tax resulting from subsection (a) is prevented at any time on or before the date which is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Freight forwarder operating authority.—
Subsection (b) shall apply to taxable years ending after the month preceding the deregulation month.”
Deduction for Motor Carrier Operating Authority
General Rule.—
For purposes of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] [this chapter], in computing the taxable income of a taxpayer who, on
Definition of Motor Carrier Operating Authority.—
For purposes of this section, the term ‘motor carrier operating authority’ means a certificate or permit held by a motor common or contract carrier of property and issued pursuant to subchapter II of chapter 109 of title 49 of the United States Code.
Special Rules.—
Adjusted basis.—
For purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, proper adjustments shall be made in the adjusted basis of any motor carrier operating authority held by the taxpayer on
Certain stock acquisitions.—
In general.—
Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate, and at the election of the holder of the authority, in any case in which a corporation—
on or before
would have been able to allocate to the basis of such authority that portion of the acquiring corporation’s cost basis in such stock attributable to such authority if the acquiring corporation had received such authority in the liquidation of the acquired corporation immediately following such acquisition and such allocation would have been proper under section 334(b)(2) of such Code,
the holder of the authority may, for purposes of this section, allocate a portion of the basis of the acquiring corporation in the stock of the acquired corporation to the basis of such authority in such manner as the Secretary may prescribe in such regulations.
Treatment of certain noncorporate taxpayers.—
Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate, and at the election of the holder of the authority, in any case in which—
a noncorporate taxpayer or group of noncorporate taxpayers on or before
the acquisition referred to in clause (i) would have satisfied the requirements of subparagraph (A) if the stock had been acquired by a corporation,
then, for purposes of subparagraphs (A) and (C), the noncorporate taxpayer or group of noncorporate taxpayers referred to in clause (i) shall be treated as a corporation. The preceding sentence shall apply only if such noncorporate taxpayer (or group of noncorporate taxpayers) on
Adjustment to basis.—
Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate, proper adjustment shall be made to the basis of the stock or other assets in the manner provided by such regulations to take into account any allocation under subparagraph (A).
Section 381 of the internal revenue code of 1986 to apply.—
For purposes of section 381 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, any item described in this section shall be treated as an item described in subsection (c) of such section 381.
Effective Date.—
The provisions of this section shall apply to taxable years ending after
Tax Treatment of Certain 1972 Disaster Loans
Application of Section.—
This section shall apply to any individual—
who was allowed a deduction under section 165 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] (relating to losses) for a loss attributable to a disaster occurring during calendar year 1972 which was determined by the President, under section 102 of the Disaster Relief Act of 1970, to warrant disaster assistance by the Federal Government.
who in connection with such disaster—
received income in the form of cancellation of a disaster loan under section 7 of the Small Business Act [section 636 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade] or an emergency loan under subtitle C of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act [section 1961 et seq. of Title 7, Agriculture], or
received income in the form of compensation (not taken into account in computing the amount of the deduction) for such loss in settlement of any claim of the taxpayer against a person for that person’s liability in tort for the damage or destruction of that taxpayer’s property in connection with the disaster, and
who elects (at such time and in such manner as the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate may by regulations prescribe) to take the benefits of this section.
Effect of Election.—
In the case of any individual to whom this section applies—
the tax imposed by chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for the taxable year in which the income taken into account is received or accrued which is attributable to such income shall not exceed the additional tax under such chapter which would have been payable for the year in which the deduction for the loss was taken if such deduction had not been taken for such year,
any amount of tax imposed by chapter 1 attributable to the income taken into account which, on
no interest on any deficiency shall be payable for any period before
Income Taken Into Account.—
For purposes of this section, the income taken into account is—
in the case of an individual described in subsection (a)(2)(A), the amount of income (not in excess of $5,000) attributable to the cancellation of a disaster loan under section 7 of the Small Business Act or an emergency loan under subtitle C of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act received by reason of the disaster described in subsection (a)(1), or
in the case of an individual described in subsection (a)(2)(B), the amount of compensation (not in excess of $5,000) for the loss in settlement of any claim of the taxpayer against a person for that person’s liability in tort for the damage or destruction of that taxpayer’s property in connection with the disaster described in subsection (a)(1).
Phaseout Where Adjusted Gross Income Exceeds $15,000.—
If for the taxable year for which the deduction for the loss was taken the individual’s adjusted gross income exceeded $15,000, the $5,000 limit set forth in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (c) (whichever applies) shall be reduced by one dollar for each full dollar that such adjusted gross income exceeds $15,000. In the case of a married individual filing a separate return, the preceding sentence shall be applied by substituting ‘$7,500’ for ‘$15,000’.
Statute of Limitations.—
If refund or credit of any overpayment of income tax resulting from an election made under this section is prevented on the date of the enactment of this Act [