We requested an IRA rollover at retirement when the value was at 10K$. five years later the account was closed and paid $479. is there a claimable loss here taxwise?

[dmertz · Accepted solution]

If there was no basis in nondeductible contributions in the traditional IRA, including any after-tax basis rolled over from the retirement plan, there is no claimable loss.  You simply have less money on which you must pay taxes.  (You cannot take a deduction for a loss of value on which you had never paid taxes in the first place.)