How many years may a theft loss be carried back from the year the loss is reported?
ANSWER: The investment theft loss forms part of the taxpayer's operating loss that may be carried back or forward under normal net operating loss rules. Generally these rules provide for a three year loss carryback and 20 year loss carryforward (or "carryover") limitation.
QUESTION:
Is a theft loss deductible as a capital gains or ordinary income?
ANSWER: The investor is entitled to an ordinary loss rather than just a capital loss. The IRS considered a Ponzi scheme theft loss to be a loss that is incurred in a transaction entered into for profit.
QUESTION:
Can a taxpayer claim a theft loss for income that was reported for tax purposes and not distributed to the victim.
ANSWER: A taxpayer will receive basis for taxes paid on "phantom income" that was credited to the investor's account, whether or not it was paid to that account by the Ponzi scheme.