If I did not claim capital loss carry-overs from a previous year (not 2016), can I still use or claim the carry-over in the current year's tax return (2017)?

[zhouyuaz]

I had capital loss from stocks in 2014 for more than the $3000 cap, so the excess amount should carry-over to 2015. But in the 2015 tax return I did not claim the carry-over amount; I only accounted for the gain/loss of my stock from the 2015 year, and I forgot about the carry-over amount. This year (2017), I was revisiting my prior tax returns and saw this carry-over that I was supposed to have. So I am wondering, can I still claim the carry-over amount from the 2014 year in this year's tax return (2017)? There is really no record of the carry-over amount except for that it shows up on the 2014 tax return Schedule D because clearly the capital loss amount was greater than the $3000 cap. 

Please help, thank you! 

[rjs · Accepted solution]

You cannot carry the loss directly from 2014 to 2017. You have to carry it from year to year until it's used up. The "record of the carryover amount" is your tax return for each year. You have to recalculate your 2015 and 2016 tax returns with the loss carryover included in order to see how much you can carry over to 2017. You should file amended returns for 2015 and 2016.

[zhouyuaz]

This is very helpful! Thank you very much!