Long term capital loss carryover - Can I opt not to take 3000 loss each year?

[burgerguy14]

I have a long term capital loss carryover.  I am currently retired and I am landlord.  Between my itemized deductions (mortgage) and my rental loss (depreciation) I do not need the $3000 loss each year to offset any income.  It becomes a useless loss for me.  Is there a way to opt out of taking the $3000 loss?  TurboTax just fills it in.  

[dmertz · Accepted solution]

The $3,000 loss must be included on Form 1040 line 7, but whatever portion of that $3,000 doesn't reduce your taxable income gets added back to your carryover to next year on the Capital Loss Carryover Worksheet.  If without including the $3,000 loss on line 7 your taxable income on Form 1040 line 15 is above zero, your carryover is still reduced by the amount of the loss that should have been used.