Hired an attorney 2014 for employment case. He was suspended and recently disbarred.Tennessee Bar will reimburse $1575 Can I take the difference as a loss in 2018

[justshill1]

Attorney I hired in 2014 for an illegal discharge case stole my money and about 171 more people. He was suspended in Sept 2016 and then recently disbarred. Had to wait for the disbarment so that a lawyer fund could determine if complainants would get refund from a fund through the TN Bar. Received word I will be getting $1575 refunded due to so many complaints and not the $4500 I paid up front. Can I now take the difference as a loss in 2018 and, if so, how?

[AlanT]

The deduction for personal casualty or theft losses has been repealed (taken away) in tax years 2018 – 2025. And, unfortunately, legal fees are not deductible on your tax return either.