171942
turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Announcements
Close icon
Do you have a TurboTax Online account?

We'll help you get started or pick up where you left off.

Do I need to file a K-1 if there is a negative value line 1 showing a ordinary business loss? Will it offset my positive K-1's? Can I carry a net loss forward?

Lines 2 through 19 are zeros.

x
Do you have an Intuit account?

Do you have an Intuit account?

You'll need to sign in or create an account to connect with an expert.

1 Best answer

Accepted Solutions
DanielV01
Expert Alumni

Do I need to file a K-1 if there is a negative value line 1 showing a ordinary business loss? Will it offset my positive K-1's? Can I carry a net loss forward?

There are three questions.

1.  Do you need to file the negative K-1?  Yes.  The negative amount must be reported, because you are also reporting the positive amounts.

2. Will it offset the positive K-1s?  Maybe and maybe not.  The question is how much basis you have in the venture.  Basis is another way of saying investment.  Your basis is determined by the amount of capital you initially invested in the venture, the amount of earnings the venture has had over the years, and the amount of distributions of capital you have taken throughout the years as well.  A loss from a venture is reportable up to the amount of basis you have remaining in the venture.  The IRS is now wanting basis to be tracked and reported to them to verify business losses being claimed.  If the losses you claim from this venture are equal to or greater than the earnings from your other Forms K-1, then the losses will completely offset the other gains.

3.  Can I carry a net loss forward?  That also depends.  What you cannot claim this year is suspended, or carried over until it is used.  There are two ways the loss could carry-over.  If the loss is carried over due to insufficient basis in the venture to claim all of the loss, then the portion of loss not claimed is suspended in the venture until money is earned by the venture to absorb the suspended loss.  (It's like a "negative basis" as it were).  However, if the loss is not limited by basis, but reduces other income earned to below zero, that is a net operating loss.  A Net Operating Loss is carried forward to use on a future income tax return.

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

View solution in original post

1 Reply
DanielV01
Expert Alumni

Do I need to file a K-1 if there is a negative value line 1 showing a ordinary business loss? Will it offset my positive K-1's? Can I carry a net loss forward?

There are three questions.

1.  Do you need to file the negative K-1?  Yes.  The negative amount must be reported, because you are also reporting the positive amounts.

2. Will it offset the positive K-1s?  Maybe and maybe not.  The question is how much basis you have in the venture.  Basis is another way of saying investment.  Your basis is determined by the amount of capital you initially invested in the venture, the amount of earnings the venture has had over the years, and the amount of distributions of capital you have taken throughout the years as well.  A loss from a venture is reportable up to the amount of basis you have remaining in the venture.  The IRS is now wanting basis to be tracked and reported to them to verify business losses being claimed.  If the losses you claim from this venture are equal to or greater than the earnings from your other Forms K-1, then the losses will completely offset the other gains.

3.  Can I carry a net loss forward?  That also depends.  What you cannot claim this year is suspended, or carried over until it is used.  There are two ways the loss could carry-over.  If the loss is carried over due to insufficient basis in the venture to claim all of the loss, then the portion of loss not claimed is suspended in the venture until money is earned by the venture to absorb the suspended loss.  (It's like a "negative basis" as it were).  However, if the loss is not limited by basis, but reduces other income earned to below zero, that is a net operating loss.  A Net Operating Loss is carried forward to use on a future income tax return.

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

Unlock tailored help options in your account.

message box icon

Get more help

Ask questions and learn more about your taxes and finances.

Post your Question