May 19, 2023
Taxpayers can utilize net operating losses (NOLs) generated on their personal and corporate tax returns generated in tax year 2023 by carrying forward the losses. The usage of the loss carryover is subject to certain limitations.
Net operating losses (NOLs) and limitations
An NOL is determined by subtracting deductions from gross income. For NOLs arising in tax years beginning after 2020, the loss carryforward period is unlimited. However, the carryforward may only offset 80 percent of taxable income. There is no carryback period, except for farming losses and non-life insurance company (property and casualty insurance company) losses, which have a two-year carryback period. The 80 percent limitation does not apply to non-life insurance companies. Taxable income for the percentage limitation is computed without regard to certain deductions, including capital losses, qualified business income and foreign-derived intangible income.
NOLs arising in tax years beginning in 2018, 2019, and 2020 have a five-year carryback period and an unlimited carryforward period. The 80 percent taxable income limitation does not apply to NOLs arising in these years. Losses in tax years beginning before 2018 are carried back two years and carried forward 20 years, with no taxable income limitation.
Reporting procedures
In calculating the amount of an NOL or an NOL carryover, a noncorporate taxpayer (an individual, trust or estate) and C corporation must make several adjustments to adjusted gross income and taxable income. To deduct an NOL, the taxpayer must file the appropriate form or statements with the IRS, depending on whether the NOL is being carried back to a prior year or carried forward to a future year.
If the NOL is carried forward, the NOL is entered as a deduction on the return in the first carryforward year and a recalculation of taxable income is not required. To file a carryback claim, a taxpayer can file an amended income tax return for the carryback year or a tentative refund claim. If an NOL is carried back, the taxable income in the carryback year is recomputed to determine the refund due in the carryback year.
Irrevocable elections to waive the loss carryback period for certain taxpayers
For tax years beginning after 2020, a taxpayer in the farming business and non-life insurance companies can make an irrevocable election to waive the two-year carryback period. An election to waive carryback of a NOL may make sense for several reasons, even though it postpones the NOL deduction. Waiving the carryback may benefit a taxpayer who expects the tax regulation changes for higher tax brackets in the future.
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