Introduction

If your deductions for the year are more than your income for the year, you may have a net operating loss (NOL). You can use an NOL by deducting it from your income in another year or years.

What this publication covers. This publication discusses NOLs for individuals, estates and trusts. It covers:

• How to figure an NOL,
• When to use an NOL,
• How to claim an NOL deduction, and
• How to figure an NOL carryover.

What is an NOL? Examples of typical losses include, but are not limited to, losses incurred from:

• Your trade or business,
• Your work as an employee (unreimbursed employee business expenses),
• Casualty and theft losses,
• Moving expenses, and
• Rental property.

A loss from operating a business is the most common reason for an NOL.

Partnerships and S corporations generally cannot use an NOL. But partners or shareholders can use their separate shares of the partnership's or S corporation's business income and business deductions to figure their individual NOLs.

What is not covered in this publication? The following topics are not covered in this publication.

• Bankruptcies. See Publication 908, Bankruptcy Tax Guide.
• NOLs of Corporations. See Publication 542, Corporations.
• Specified liability losses. See the Form 1045 instructions.

Comments and suggestions. We welcome your comments about this publication and your suggestions for future editions.

You can e-mail us while visiting our web site at www.irs.gov/help/email2.html.

You can write to us at the following address:

Internal Revenue Service
Technical Publications Branch
W:CAR:MP:FP:P
1111 Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20224

We respond to many letters by telephone. Therefore, it would be helpful if you would include your daytime phone number, including the area code, in your correspondence.

Previous| First | Next

Publication Index | IRS-Forms Main | Home