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Can you offset gambling winnings with losses in 2018?

By Andrew Thornton

You can write off gambling losses as a miscellaneous itemized deduction, as stated in a report on While miscellaneous deductions subject to the 2% of adjusted gross income floor are not allowed for 2018 through 2025 under the TCJA, the deduction for gambling losses isn’t subject to that floor.

How are gambling losses treated on a tax return?

Gambling losses are indeed tax deductible, but only to the extent of your winnings and requires you to report all the money you win as taxable income on your return. The deduction is only available if you itemize your deductions.

Can you deduct gambling winnings on your taxes?

There are certain instances where a W-2G is issued for other gambling winnings of $600 or more. Losses are allowed as an itemized deduction dollar for dollar against the gain. Gambling losses cannot be greater than gambling wins for the tax year.

What’s the new tax law for gambling losses?

Gambling Loss Deductions Broadened Under New Tax Law. For starters, you can only deduct losses up to the amount of your winnings, so any excess loss can’t offset other highly taxed income. Conversely, you might show a taxable profit. Suppose you have annual gambling winnings of $10,000 for 2017 and losses of $2,500.

How much loss can you claim on taxes?

For starters, you can only deduct losses up to the amount of your winnings, so any excess loss can’t offset other highly taxed income. Conversely, you might show a taxable profit. Suppose you have annual gambling winnings of $10,000 for 2017 and losses of $2,500. As a result, you can deduct $2,500, but you’re taxed on the $7,500 difference.

What’s the best example for deducting gambling losses?

Example: You play slots in the morning and take a break for lunch and return to the one-armed bandit. This is still the same session. Example: You play slots for an hour and then move to craps. The slots and craps wagers are different sessions. If you later return to slots the same day you are still on that day’s slots session.