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Level 2
February 16, 2022
Question

Is it possible to take a capital loss for a YACHT / house boat which was damaged / totaled by a storm? Similar to losing a house in a hurricane that not insured?

  • February 16, 2022
  • 3 replies
  • 37 views
The house boat was totaled in a hurricane, there was no insurance policy covering it.

3 replies

Level 15
February 16, 2022

Your yacht is a casualty loss as opposed to a capital loss for tax purposes. You may be entitled to a deduction for your personal casualty using itemized deductions.  

 

When you have items that are lost or damaged as a direct result of a natural disaster, and you live in a federally declared disaster area, you may be able to take a tax deduction for the value of the property that's not covered by your insurance.  The lost or damaged items can be personal property, business property or investment property.

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Level 2
February 16, 2022

Does the Casualty Loss exemption exist for Tax year 2019? I'm considering if I should amend that return to see if it lowers my tax burden. I'm live in NJ, so the SALT and Property taxes eat up much of the max deduction, just wondering if the Casualty Loss is something that could make a difference for 2019, and subsequent years?

AmyC
Level 15
February 16, 2022

Yes disaster exemptions exist for 2019 and could make a difference on your return. For tax years 2018-2025, if attributable to a federally declared disaster area and more than 10% of your AGI+$100, then you would qualify for a deduction. You can amend your 2019 return and add form 4684. You would mail the new sch A and 4684 along with any other changed forms and the 1040x.

 

To amend:

See IRS Disaster resource.

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