Where do I file my Gambling losses?

[MargaretL]

Gambling losses are entered immediately after the program asks for gambling winnings.  Per IRS, you cannot deduct losses without reporting winnings... so you must enter winnings first. You can only deduct gambling losses up to the amount of your gambling winnings. If you won thousands, the same amount can be deducted as your losses.  If you happen to have a bad year and have no winnings - you cannot report any losses without the winnings. Per IRS, you need to first owe tax on winnings before a loss deduction is available. 

1. Federal taxes
2. Wages and Income
3. Scroll down to Less Common Income
4. Select Gambling Winnings - please follow the prompts. You will be asked if you received form W-2G as that's how winnings are usually reported. But - if you have not received the form- select Skip; the program will ask about winnings not reported on Form W-2G, then you will be able to enter your losses.