In 2019, Paul, a single taxpayer, has taxable income of $30,000 exclusive of capital gains and losses. Paul incurred a $1,000 short-term capital loss and a $4,000 long-term capital loss. What is the amount of his long-term capital loss carryover to 2019?
a, $0
b. $2,000
c. $3,000
d. $5,000
e. None of the above

the amount of his long-term capital loss carryover to 2019 is $2,000

Explanation:

(1000+4000-3000)

The Basics  

Capital losses are, of course, the opposite of capital gains. When a security or investment is sold for less than its original purchase price, then the dollar amount of difference is considered a capital loss. For tax purposes, capital losses are only reported on items that are intended to increase in value. They do not apply to items used for personal use such as automobiles (although the sale of a car at a profit is still considered taxable income).

Tax Rules  

Capital losses are reportable as deductions on the investor’s tax return, just as capital gains must be reported as income. Unlike capital gains, capital losses can be divided into three categories. Realized losses occur on the actual sale of the asset or investment, whereas unrealized losses are not reportable.

For example, an investor buys a stock at $50 a share in May. By August, the share price has dropped to $30. The investor has an unrealized loss of $20 per share. He holds on to the stock until the following year, and the price climbs to $45 per share. He sells the stock at that point and realizes a loss of $5 per share. He can only report that loss in the year of sale; he cannot report the unrealized loss from the previous year.

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