Why does our AGI not include the loss show on our Schedule E for rental income?

[AmandaR1 · Accepted solution]

There are two reasons why a rental loss might not show onto page 1 of your form 1040, reducing other income. 

1. If you didn't select that you actively participate in the rental, then passive losses aren't deductible. You can check or edit your selection by editing the Property Profile.
2. The special deduction for actively participating in a rental is phased out over $100,000-$150,000 of income. If your income is over $150,000 then there's no deduction for rental real estate losses.

If you don't qualify for the special deduction, all losses will continue to carry forward to offset net income from the rental in future years. If the property is sold, then the losses are released in the year of sale.