Does this handle short vs long-term?

No. It totals losses. In reality, short/long-term losses offset respective gains first.

Can I change the $3k limit?

Yes—adjust the ordinary limit input (e.g., $1,500 for MFS).

No. It only shows loss utilization and carryover. Tax owed depends on your full return.

Does it include wash sale rules?

No. It assumes losses are allowable; wash sales not modeled.

No. It’s a planning aid. Consult a tax professional for your return.

finance calculator

Capital Loss Carryover Calculator

Apply current-year gains/losses, the $3k ordinary income offset, and prior carryover to see next year’s capital loss carryover.

Results

Total losses available: $7,000
Losses used against gains: $7,000
Ordinary income offset: $3,000
Carryover to next year: $4,000

How to use this calculator

Enter current-year gains and losses.
Enter prior-year loss carryover.
Enter the ordinary income offset limit (default $3k).
Review how losses are applied and what carries forward.

Inputs explained

Current losses: Enter as a positive number; we treat as losses.
Prior carryover: Loss amount available from last year.
Ordinary limit: Typically $3,000 ($1,500 MFS) for ordinary income offset.

How it works

Total losses = current losses + prior carryover. Losses offset gains first. Remaining losses can offset up to $3k of ordinary income. Any leftover loss carries to next year.

Formula

Total losses = Current losses + Prior carryover
Losses vs gains: offset gains first
Ordinary offset = min(remaining losses, $3k limit)
Carryover next year = remaining losses − ordinary offset

When to use it

Planning tax-loss harvesting and future carryover.
Estimating next year’s loss carryover after applying the $3k ordinary offset.
Checking how much loss remains after offsetting current gains.

Tips & cautions

Losses apply to gains first; the $3k ordinary offset is after gains are netted.
Carryover losses retain character (short/long) for future years; this simplification shows totals only.
Update the ordinary limit if filing status differs (e.g., MFS $1,500).
Simplified; does not track short vs long-term character separately.
Does not compute actual tax owed—only the loss application sequence.
Not tax advice; consult a professional for detailed tax planning.

Worked examples

$5k loss, $0 gains, $2k carryover

Total losses = $7k
Against gains = $0
Ordinary offset = $3k
Carryover = $4k

$8k loss, $5k gains, $1k carryover

Total losses = $9k
Against gains = $5k
Remaining = $4k
Ordinary offset = $3k
Carryover = $1k

Deep dive

Calculate capital loss carryover by entering current gains/losses, prior carryover, and the $3k ordinary offset limit.

See how much loss offsets gains, applies to ordinary income, and carries to next year.

FAQs

Does this handle short vs long-term?: No. It totals losses. In reality, short/long-term losses offset respective gains first.
Can I change the $3k limit?: Yes—adjust the ordinary limit input (e.g., $1,500 for MFS).
Is this my tax owed?: No. It only shows loss utilization and carryover. Tax owed depends on your full return.
Does it include wash sale rules?: No. It assumes losses are allowable; wash sales not modeled.
Is this tax advice?: No. It’s a planning aid. Consult a tax professional for your return.

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Simplified loss carryover estimator. Does not track character, wash sales, or compute tax owed. Consult IRS rules and a tax professional for accurate filing.