What is a capital loss deduction?

The capital loss deduction gives you a tax break for claiming your realized losses. In other words, reporting your losses to the IRS can shrink your tax bill. How much you can deduct depends on the size of your gains and losses. If you end up with a larger capital gain amount, you can subtract your losses from your gains.

How much capital gains & losses can I deduct?

The IRS will let you deduct up to $3,000 of capital losses (or up to $1,500 if you and your spouse are filing separate tax returns). If you have any leftover losses, you can carry the amount forward and claim it on a future tax return. Capital gains and losses fall into two categories: long-term gains and losses and short-term gains and losses.

How much capital loss can I claim?

As per the IRS, the amount of capital loss you can claim is as follows: "If your capital losses exceed your capital gains, the amount of the excess loss that you can claim to lower your income is the lesser of $3,000 ($1,500 if married filing separately) or your total net loss shown on Schedule D. Are Capital Losses Tax Deductible?