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January 14, 2021
Question

How to deduct a bad debt?

  • January 14, 2021
  • 1 reply
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I have read IRS 453 (https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc453)

It says to enter the bad debt on form 8949 and attach a detailed statement.

"Report a nonbusiness bad debt as a short-term capital loss on Form 8949, Sales and Other Dispositions of Capital Assets, Part 1, line 1. Enter the name of the debtor and "bad debt statement attached" in column (a). Enter your basis in the bad debt in column (e) and enter zero in column (d). Use a separate line for each bad debt. It's subject to the capital loss limitations. A nonbusiness bad debt deduction requires a separate detailed statement attached to your return"

 

The first part is easy enough.  How do I attach a statement?

    1 reply

    January 23, 2021

    You would attach a statement by using Form 8453. The form acts like a transmittal form. Please see Form 8453 for more information. 

     

    Please follow this link for more information on reporting personal bad debt: How to Report Non-Business Bad Debt on a Tax Return