Capital Loss Carryover Calculator

Estimate how much of your capital loss you may deduct this year and how much may carry forward to future tax years. Our free calculator provides a simplified educational estimate with easy-to-understand explanations.

🔴 Calculate My Carryover

The IRS generally limits an individual’s annual net capital-loss deduction to the lesser of the net loss or $3,000, reduced to $1,500 for Married Filing Separately; unused losses may carry into later years. The official Schedule D worksheet separates short-term and long-term amounts, so this calculator deliberately labels itself a simplified estimate.

Short Introduction

If your investment losses are greater than your investment gains, you may not be able to deduct the entire loss this year. Instead, part of the unused loss may generally carry forward to future tax years.

Our Capital Loss Carryover Calculator helps you estimate:

• Your net capital gain or loss
• Your estimated deductible loss this year
• Your estimated capital loss carryover
• A simplified explanation of the calculation

Results Formula

Basic calculation used

Net Capital Gain (or Loss)

=

Capital Gains

−

Capital Losses

±

Prior Year Carryover

If the result is a net capital loss:

Any remaining unused loss may carry forward to future tax years.

Capital gains are offset first.

Up to the applicable annual deduction limit may generally be deducted against ordinary income.

What Is a Capital Loss Carryover?

A capital loss carryover is an unused investment loss that may be applied in future tax years if your capital losses exceed your capital gains and the annual deduction limit.

Instead of losing the tax benefit, the remaining loss may continue carrying forward until it is used under applicable IRS rules.

This commonly occurs after selling stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, cryptocurrency, or other investments at a loss.

Simple Example

Your unused capital loss may generally carry forward to future tax years.

Common Mistakes