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Using existing carryover losses to offset long term gains.

We have short term losses of about $65000 that we have carried over for three years. This year, 2025, we plan on selling stock that we currently own which will give us significant long term gains.  The sale will be greater than the $65,000.  Can we use the entire amount of short term losses carryover to offset the long term gains?

Thank you

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2 Replies
Tax Hero Niki
Employee Tax Expert

Using existing carryover losses to offset long term gains.

Hi user17524160027,

Yes, you will be able to apply the $65,000 carryforward capital loss from short-term sales towards your 2025 long-term capital gains. 

"Losses on your investments are first used to offset capital gains of the same type. So, short-term losses are first deducted against short-term gains, and long-term losses are deducted against long-term gains. Net losses of either type can then be deducted against the other kind of gain."

You can read more on that here: Capital Gains and Losses - TurboTax Tax Tips & Videos

AmitaR
Employee Tax & Finance Expert

Using existing carryover losses to offset long term gains.

Yes, if your long-term gains in 2025 are greater than $65,000, you will be able to absorb the entire short-term loss carryover of $65,000.  This will significantly reduce your tax liability for 2025.  

Here is how it works for Capital Gains and Losses: 

 

  • Offsetting like-kind gains first: Your short-term losses are first used to offset any short-term capital gains you might have in the current year.

  • Offsetting other gains: If your short-term losses exceed your short-term gains (which they will in your case, as you have $65,000 in losses and are only anticipating long-term gains), the remaining short-term losses can then be used to offset your long-term capital gains.

If, your capital gains in 2025 are less than the $65,000; in that case, after offsetting all gains, you will still had capital losses remaining.  You could deduct up to $3,000 of those losses against your ordinary income each year, and any further unused losses could be carried over indefinitely to future tax years. However, in your scenario, with gains exceeding your losses, you should be able to fully utilize the carryover.

 

Thank you @user17524160027  for participating in this event!

 

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