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Level 1
posted Jan 19, 2021 5:35:31 PM

How to I enter my 2019 NOL as a deduction for 2020 taxes? I am a sole proprietor and if I'm not mistaken, this loss should carry over.

2019 taxes showed a net operating loss of about $3,400.  Am I able to deduct that amount from my 2020 taxes? 2020 will show a profit and I would like to get as many deductions as possible.

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1 Best answer
Level 15
Jan 19, 2021 6:11:28 PM

In the upper right side of the screen, click the Search icon and enter "net operating loss" in the search box.

 

Click the Jump to net operating loss link

17 Replies
Level 15
Jan 19, 2021 6:11:28 PM

In the upper right side of the screen, click the Search icon and enter "net operating loss" in the search box.

 

Click the Jump to net operating loss link

Level 15
Jan 19, 2021 6:36:49 PM

Did you just have a loss on the Sch C in 2019  or  a true NOL  on the 1040?  They are not the same thing.  And if you had an NOL did you elect to waive the carryback ?   

Level 1
Jan 19, 2021 6:44:53 PM

There is no "jump to" link. It brings up a bunch of conversations that aren't relevant (talking about capital losses, etc) and a form to ammend a previous return.

Level 15
Jan 19, 2021 6:49:32 PM

 

While inside the software and working on your return, type nol carryforward in the Search at the top of the screen (you may see a magnifying glass there).  There will be a popup that says Jump to nol carryforward.  Select that link.

Here's more information on NOLs that may be helpful to you: IRS Pub 536 Net Operating Loss

 

 

Level 1
Jan 19, 2021 6:50:22 PM

My 1040 shows a loss of $3,304 on line 7a.

Level 1
Jan 19, 2021 6:55:12 PM

When I search, that link doesn't come up. Once again, it brings up irrelevant conversations and stuff about amending a return. I'm using the website on my computer if that makes a difference. 

Level 15
Jan 19, 2021 7:08:18 PM

@cob32187 Follow the screenshots below. You must be "searching" in the wrong place.

 

Level 15
Jan 19, 2021 7:09:58 PM


@cob32187 wrote:

When I search, that link doesn't come up. Once again, it brings up irrelevant conversations and stuff about amending a return. I'm using the website on my computer if that makes a difference. 


Also, do not search here on this board. Search from within the TurboTax program.

Level 15
Jan 19, 2021 9:40:56 PM


@cob32187 wrote:

My 1040 shows a loss of $3,304 on line 7a.


 

That doesn't necessarily mean you have a NOL.  Line 8b (on your 2019 Form 1040) is more closely related to if you have a NOL or not.

Level 15
Jan 20, 2021 4:35:47 AM

Having a loss on the Sch C doesn't mean you have an NOL on the return that can be carried forward  ... look carefully at the entire 2019 return ... did you waive the NOL carryback ?   If you did there should be an NOL statement in with the return.  What is the amount on line 8b?  If that is a negative amount then you may have an NOL to calculate. 

 

The program doesn't support the NOL calculation ... you need to do it yourself.  

You can calculate your NOL on the Worksheets in Publication 536.

 

See https://www.irs.gov/publications/p536#en_US_2018_publink1000177330

 

 

Level 1
Jan 20, 2021 10:07:00 AM

Thanks. I must have done something wrong before but I got it to work this time.

Level 1
Jan 20, 2021 10:09:02 AM

How to I determine that? My 1040 shows -3,304 on line 7a, -2,942 on lines 7b and 8b.

Level 15
Jan 20, 2021 10:24:53 AM

@cob32187 

 

In the post by @Critter-3, there is a link to Publication 536 and a direct link to the NOL calculation worksheet appears below. Basically, you need to make the calculation manually using the worksheet.

 

Publication 536 (2019), Net Operating Losses (NOLs) for Individuals, Estates, and Trusts | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)

Level 1
Jan 20, 2021 10:31:15 AM

Thank you all. Hopefully I get it figured out with the worksheet. A lot if this is completely new to me and I refuse to pay someone huge amounts of money to figure this stuff out for me when I can do it myself. 

 

One would think turbotax would be capable of doing this calculation. I'm not pleased with this aspect. 

Level 15
Jan 20, 2021 12:14:48 PM

also  note that the loss can only be carried to 2020 if you included an election to waive the carryback of your NOL with a timely filed 2019 return.  if you didn't make that election then under the Cares Act the loss would first have to be carried back to 2014 with any remaining carried forward to succeeding years. 

Level 15
Jan 20, 2021 1:56:41 PM

Mike, there is a provision to "waive the carryback" for a 2019 NOL until the due date of the 2020 tax return.

Level 15
Jan 20, 2021 3:49:10 PM

FYI ... not even professional tax programs will independently compute an NOL carryover or carry back due to the intricacies involved.