Tag: Net Operating Loss

Net Operating Loss Deductions Under the New Tax Law

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This week, I continue my exploration of the reforms brought about by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Today’s topic: Net Operating Loss Deductions.

Net Operating Loss Deduction – Old Law

NOL deductions are computed on Schedule A of Form 1045 and taken on Line 21 of the Form 1040. Under the previous law, if your business incurred an operating loss (expenses exceeded revenues) or you as an individual incurred a disaster loss in a Presidential Disaster Area (Hurricane Harvey), then you could compute and use an NOL deduction. NOLs could be carried back either 2, 3, or 5 years depending on the type of loss, and then carried forward. The taxpayer also had the option to waive the carryback period, but to qualify they were required to attach an election to their timely filed tax return—and that includes the additional time allowed if they filed an extension. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changed things.

Net Operating Loss Deduction – New Law

The new law repeals the various carryback periods, but provides a two-year carryback for certain losses incurred in farming businesses and insurance companies. The new law provides that NOLs may be carried forward indefinitely. The new law also limits the amount of the NOL that may be deducted in any one year to 80% of taxable income, determined without regard to the NOL deduction itself. The effective date of the new law is defined as tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. Therefore, any taxpayer with NOL carryovers from tax years prior to January 01, 2018 will not be subject to the 80% of taxable income limitation and taxpayers will have to distinguish between the two types of losses when computing the NOL deduction.

That is all today. I look forward to visiting with you next week. Let me know if you have a question—you can reach my office at (713) 785-8939 or just leave a comment on this post.

Hurricane Harvey Casualty Loss and NOLs

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As Tax Day draws nearer, I continue to hear questions from taxpayers whose homes were affected by Hurricane Harvey. Today, I explore one instance in which a casualty loss from Harvey may be treated as an NOL, or net operating loss, and used to recover prior tax payments.

Can Your Casualty Loss from Hurricane Harvey Create an NOL for Carryback?

Yes. There may be an opportunity for an additional refund.

Individuals can claim an NOL for casualty losses that exceed the amount that can be utilized in the year the loss was sustained and reported. For those who suffered severe damage, the casualty loss may exceed their income and, therefore, they would not be able to fully utilize their casualty loss deduction for the year in which the loss occurred. The IRS allows such individuals to treat the loss as an NOL and carry it back to prior years. If income was insufficient in the prior years, a carryforward is available.

If done within one year of the NOL year, then you would use Form 1045; this will allow the taxpayer to receive a prompt refund. If the claim is filed more than one year after the close of the NOL year, then it must be filed on Form 1040X within the relevant statute of limitations for the loss year. Your normal NOL gets a two year carryback, but a special rule for casualty losses extends the carryback period to three years.

Congress enacted a special five-year carryback for those who suffered a loss from Hurricane Katrina. However, a similar special five-year carryback was not enacted for those who suffered losses from Hurricane Sandy. Tax professionals will be keeping an eye out for any new legislation that might extend the carryback period for victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Hopefully very few taxpayers will need five years to absorb their loss.

That is all for today. I look forward to visiting with you next week. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out with questions. Feel free to email robert@robertstevensoncpa.com or call my office at (713) 785-8939. I’m also available by text at (713) 906-8331.