Question

Ellen loans Nicole $45,000 to start a hair salon. Unfortunately, the business fails in 2019 and she is unable to pay back Ellen. In 2019, Ellen also had $20,000 of income from her part-time job and $15,000 of capital gain from the sale of stock. How much of the $45,000 bad debt can Ellen claim as a capital loss in 2019? a. $12,000, with $33,000 carried forward to 2020 b. $0 c. $18,000, with $27,000 carried forward to 2020 d. $15,000, with $30,000 carried forward to 2020 e. $35,000

Answer 1

Answer:

c. $18,000, with $27,000 carried forward to 2020.

Explanation:

Non-business bad debts are accounted as short-term capital losses. Short-term and long-term capital gains may be offset by short-term capital losses. Ellen may offset $15,000 of her $45,000 bad debt from Nicole against the $15,000 capital gain from the sale of stock.

In addition, Ellen may claim up to the annual limitation amount of $3,000 in short-term capital losses. In total, $18,000 of the bad debt can be claimed as a capital loss in the current year with $27,000 in unused short-term capital losses carried forward.