Can I use a long-term capital loss carried over from a prior year to offset a short-term capital gain?
A loss carryover maintains its character as long-term or short-term and must first be used against gains, if any, in its own category, but can then offset net gains from the other category, as well as up to $3,000 of ordinary income. If, for example, your only gain or loss is the long -term capital loss carryover, then line 17 of Form 1040, Schedule D, which nets the net short-term gain or loss against the net long-term gain or loss, will apply your loss carryover against your short-term gain. After that, any remaining net loss will be allowable as a deduction against up to $3,000 of your ordinary income. The remainder will be available to be carried over to the following year as long-term loss.
A loss carryover maintains its character as long-term or short-term and must first be used against gains, if any, in its own category, but can then offset net gains from the other category, as well as up to $3,000 of ordinary income. If, for example, your only gain or loss is the long -term capital loss carryover, then line 17 of Form 1040, Schedule D (PDF), which nets the net short-term gain or loss against the net long-term gain or loss, will apply your loss carryover against your short-term gain. After that, any remaining net loss will be allowable as a deduction against up to $3,000 of your ordinary income. The remainder will be available to be carried over to the following year as long-term loss.
If your total net loss is more than the yearly limit on capital loss deductions, you can carry over the unused part to the next year and treat it as if you had incurred it in that next year. If part of the loss is still unused, you can carry it over to later years until it is completely used up. When you carry over a loss, it remains long term or short term. A long term capital loss you carry over to the next tax year will reduce that year’s long-term capital gains before it reduces that year’s short-term capital gains. When you figure your capital loss carryover, use your short-term capital losses first, even if you incurred them after a long-term capital loss. If you have not reached the limit on the capital loss deduction after using the short-term capital losses, use the long-term capital losses until you reach the limit. If you and your spouse once filed separate returns and are now filing a joint return, combine your separate capital loss carryovers. However, if you and your spou
