I had a business loss of $3,282 in 2012. Can I deduct it in my 2016 Tax Return?

[jkienle1001]

Can I carry over the business loss from 2012 to the 2016 Tax return?

[MichaelL1 · Accepted solution]

No, you can't carry the 2012 loss to 2016.  

If it was a Net Operating loss in 2012, it had to be carried back 3 years (unless election was made not to carryback).  Then it carried forward starting with the 2013 tax year.

You can't skip years and go from 2012 to 2016.

IRS also has a three year statute of limitations, so you can't go back and apple the 2012 loss to 2009 anymore.