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Where Do You Report Gambling Losses On Tax Return

 
Where Do You Report Gambling Losses On Tax Return 3,4/5 6276 votes
Where Do You Report Gambling Losses On Tax Return

Six Tips on Gambling Income and Losses

Gambling

Whether you roll the dice, play cards or bet on the ponies, all your winnings are taxable. The IRS offers these six tax tips for the casual gambler.

Taxpayers will report winnings on their federal income tax returns as part of their federal adjusted gross income. The federal adjusted gross income amount is transferred to line 1 of Maryland income tax Form 502. Nonresidents must report winnings on line 14 of the Nonresident Form 505. You must list each individually, with the winnings noted on your return as taxable income and the loss as an itemized deduction in Schedule A. In this instance, you won’t owe tax on your winnings because your total loss is greater than your total win by $2,000. However, you do not get to deduct that net $2,000 loss, only the first $6,000.

  • Gambling income includes winnings from lotteries, raffles, horse races and casinos. It also includes cash and the fair market value of prizes you receive, such as cars and trips.
  • If you win, you may receive a Form W-2G, Certain Gambling Winnings, from the payer. The form reports the amount of your winnings to you and the IRS. The payer issues the form depending on the type of gambling, the amount of winnings, and other factors. You’ll also receive a Form W-2G if the payer withholds federal income tax from your winnings.
  • You must report all your gambling winnings as income on your federal income tax return. This is true even if you do not receive a Form W-2G.
  • If you’re a casual gambler, report your winnings on the “Other Income” line of your Form 1040, U. S. Individual Income Tax Return.
  • You may deduct your gambling losses on Schedule A, Itemized Deductions. The deduction is limited to the amount of your winnings. You must report your winnings as income and claim your allowable losses separately. You cannot reduce your winnings by your losses and report the difference.
  • You must keep accurate records of your gambling activity. This includes items such as receipts, tickets or other documentation. You should also keep a diary or similar record of your activity. Your records should show your winnings separately from your losses.
  • For example, if you win $5,000 during the year and incur losses of $4,500 in the same year, you owe tax on only $500. The losses are reported on Schedule A, but aren’t subject to the usual.
  • 2 IRS Publication 529 (Miscellaneous Deductions) at page 11, states, “You cannot reduce your gambling winnings by your gambling losses and report the difference. You must report the full amount of your winnings as income and claim your losses (up to the amount of winnings) as an itemized deduction.”. Professional gamblers are allowed to.
  • Oct 28, 2020 As the IRS goes on to say on this subject: “A payer is required to issue you a Form W-2G.pdf, Certain Gambling Winnings, if you receive certain gambling winnings or have any gambling winnings subject to federal income tax withholding. You must report all gambling winnings (including lotteries, raffles) on line 21, Schedule 1, Form 1040 as ‘Other Income’) including winnings that aren’t reported on a Form W-2G.pdf.
Where Do You Report Gambling Losses On Tax Return

Proof:

  • Bingo and similar games: Keep records of the number of games played, the cost of cards purchased, and amounts collected on winning cards.
  • Slot machines: Maintain a record of the machine number and all winnings by date and time the machine was played.
  • Casino table games (e.g., blackjack, craps, poker and roulette): Write down the number of the table where you played and any casino credit information.
  • Racing (horses, harness, dog, etc.): Keep track of the number of races, the amounts of your wagers and the amounts you won and lost.

For residents of Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, beware. These states do not allow amateur gamblers to deduct their losses from their winnings. For example, if an amateur gambler in Ohio wins $50,000 and loses $50,000, they may not deduct their losses even though they technically broke even.

Report Illegal Gambling

This is not the case if the taxpayer is a professional gambler such as a professional poker player. They may deduct gambling losses from their state income taxes but they are aggressively challenged for their status as professional.

So remember to consider the tax implications for gambling winnings and losses and plan accordingly based on your gambling status and the state you live in.

IRS Resources

  • Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income
  • Publication 529, Miscellaneous Deductions
  • Tax Topic 419, Gambling Income and Expenses
  • Form W-2G, Certain Gambling Winnings

IRS YouTube Videos:

Where Do You Report Gambling Losses On Tax Return Filing

  • Gambling Winnings and Losses – English Spanish ASL
  • Record Keeping – English Spanish ASL

IRS Podcasts:

  • Gambling Winnings and Losses – English Spanish

Where Do You Report Gambling Losses On Tax Return 2018

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