I had a legal settlement of $ 2500 and I received 1099-Misc form for it. But the actual cash settlement, less the "expenses" was around $ 250. How should I report this?

[Hammer42]

I didn't generate a profit and the $2500 increases my tax bill. How can report the expenses to reduce my tax owed?

[Bsch4477]

In what box in the 1099 was the amount?

[Lisa995]

what kind of settlement?

[Hammer42]

The amount was in box 3; the legal settlement was for nuisance calls to my cell phone...

[Bsch4477 · Accepted solution]

There may be a better way, but one work around would be to enter the 1099-misc again with a negative amount in box 3 reflecting your expenses.  If an explanation is allowed enter  “expense offset for 1099-misc.”