INCLUDE_DATA

Subscribe to this blog

Subscribe to full feed RSS
What the? RSS?!

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Is a loss from a personal loan the same tax category as a loss from stock investments?

By Ezday On December 14, 2007 Under Business & Economy
personal loan
Jan R asked:


I loaned a friend some money several years ago to help start a business, and the business failed and I was not repaid for the loan. I also, the same year, had losses from other investments (in the stock market). My understanding is that I can only deduct $3000 in investment losses for that year. Is the personal loan in the same category as the other investments — in other words, does it count as part of the $3000 limit? Or is there a way I can claim that loss separately? Thanks!

Caffeinated Content
One comment - add yours
v b

December 17, 2007

You cannot claim the loss separately.

You must prove you had a non-business bad debt (actual loan agreement, not some iffy thing as in if he made money, he’d pay you back; show you tried to get repaid; why it’s worthless, etc).