I have a 2018 capital loss carryover. Should I subtract that number from the capital gains number on the same page of TurboTax or has TurboTax done that for me?

[VolvoGirl · Accepted solution]

Turbo Tax does it but you do have to enter it.  If you transferred your prior return it should be already filled in.

Enter a Capital Loss Carryover under

Federal Taxes or Personal (Home & Business)

Wages and Income

Then scroll down to Investment Income

Capital Loss Carryovers - Click the Start or Update button

You get to first offset the loss against any gains you have each year so that can use more of it up.  Then after applying the loss to the current gains you can take a max loss of 3,000 (1,500 MFS)per year.  Turbo Tax does all the calculations for you.  Just enter the prior year carryover amount.

FYI - On the income page The 2019 column shows the carryover to 2020 (not your current loss for 2019).  Schedule D doesn't actually show the carryover amount. To find your  Capital Loss Carryover amount  you need to look at your  return schedule D page 2.  Line 16 will be your total loss and line 21 should be a max loss of 3,000.  The difference between line 16 and 21 is the carryover loss for next year.