RobertB4444
Expert Alumni

Deductions & credits

You are exactly correct on how to carry the NOL forward IF you elected to carry it forward. 

 

The IRS expects you to carry an NOL backwards to a prior year and use it to get immediate relief from tax issues.  If you want to carry the NOL forward into the next year you have to elect to do so by the due date of the return.  If you did not file this election then you will have to carry the NOL backwards.

 

So if you filed the elections with your return then you are exactly right with your plan.  Amend 2019 and 2020 and put the NOLs in that you forgot to use and you're all set.

 

If you did not elect to carry your NOL forward then you will need to amend your 2018 return and add the 2019 NOL to it and then you will need to amend your 2019 return and add your 2020 NOL to it.  If this is the case you also need to do the 2018 return quickly - it must be filed within three years of the original due date of the return which was April 17 of 2019. 

 

Although if your 2018 and 2019 returns already had an NOL there may not be much point to reducing your income even further.

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"