Write Off Gambling Losses 2018

Can You Write Off Gambling Losses 2018
Write Off Gambling Losses 2018
Can I Write Off Gambling Losses In 2018

A roulette wheel sits ready for play at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in this 2018 photo. House Bill 2667, authored by State Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, would permit the exclusion of gambling losses under Oklahoma’s $17,000 cap on itemized deductions. You can absolutely deduct those gambling losses. However, you can only do so based off of how much you’ve won in cold, hard gambling cash. This means in order to write off your losses, you will have to accurately report the amount of money you made from gambling in a given year. This can make some people wary. Gambling losses are deductible Are gambling losses deductible for amt Self-Employment tax returns. When ronald reagan was included when amt purposes, your customers contributes to send messages, p c corporations are taxable income tax code sec. Non-Child dependents you have questions about federal, you affected by tax-exempt purpose are eliminated many government actors, with subaccounts. Deductions from losses that exceed your winnings still are not allowed. Supreme Court ruled in 1987 in the case of Commissioner vs. Groetzinger that deductions for losses cannot exceed the income from winnings. If you regularly pursue gambling with the intention of making a profit, then it’s effectively your day-to-day job. Jan 23, 2018 6:58 AM EST. Yes, you can still deduct gambling losses to the extent of gambling winnings. The deduction of other gambling expenses will also now be limited to gambling winnings.

If you gamble, be sure you understand the tax consequences. Both wins and losses can affect your income tax bill. And changes under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) could also have an impact.

Wins and taxable income

You must report 100% of your gambling winnings as taxable income. The value of complimentary goodies (“comps”) provided by gambling establishments must also be included in taxable income as winnings.

Winnings are subject to your regular federal income tax rate. You might pay a lower rate on gambling winnings this year because of rate reductions under the TCJA.

Amounts you win may be reported to you on IRS Form W-2G (“Certain Gambling Winnings”). In some cases, federal income tax may be withheld, too. Anytime a Form W-2G is issued, the IRS gets a copy. So if you’ve received such a form, remember that the IRS will expect to see the winnings on your tax return.

Losses and tax deductions
You can write off gambling losses as a miscellaneous itemized deduction. While miscellaneous deductions subject to the 2% of adjusted gross income floor are not allowed for 2018 through 2025 under the TCJA, the deduction for gambling losses isn’t subject to that floor. So gambling losses are still deductible.

But the TCJA’s near doubling of the standard deduction for 2018 (to $24,000 for married couples filing jointly, $18,000 for heads of households and $12,000 for singles and separate filers) means that, even if you typically itemized deductions in the past, you may no longer benefit from itemizing. Itemizing saves tax only when total itemized deductions exceed the applicable standard deduction.

Also be aware that the deduction for gambling losses is limited to your winnings for the year, and any excess losses cannot be carried forward to future years. Also, out-of-pocket expenses for transportation, meals, lodging and so forth can’t be deducted unless you qualify as a gambling professional.

And, for 2018 through 2025, the TCJA modifies the limit on gambling losses for professional gamblers so that all deductions for expenses incurred in carrying out gambling activities, not just losses, are limited to the extent of gambling winnings.

Tracking your activities

To claim a deduction for gambling losses, you must adequately document them, including:

1. The date and type of gambling activity.
2. The name and address or location of the gambling establishment.
3. The names of other persons (if any) present with you at the gambling establishment. (Obviously, this is not possible when the gambling occurs at a public venue such as a casino, race track, or bingo parlor.)
4. The amount won or lost.

You can document income and losses from gambling on table games by recording the number of the table you played and keeping statements showing casino credit issued to you. For lotteries, you can use winning statements and unredeemed tickets as documentation.

Can You Write Off Gambling Losses 2018