Gambling losses –deduct them from taxes
You may use gambling losses as a tax deduction up to the amount of your gambling winnings within the same calendar year. Didn’t have a good year at the gambling tables? Here’s how to know whether you can deduct any of the losses you incurred at the casinos on your income tax return.Check out Gambling.com for the best online gambling sites, online casinos, and much more.
• The first thing you have to understand about deducting gambling losses is that you must be able to list deductions to deduct anything. If you cannot list your deductions, then none of your gambling losses will be deductible.
• If you are able to detail deductions, then the next step is to total all of your no download slots winnings and losses. If your winnings total more than your losses, then all of your losses will count toward a deduction. If your losses are greater than your winnings, then only the amount of losses equal to your winnings will count. For example, if you have $4,000 of winnings and $6,000 of losses, then only $4,000 of losses will be potentially deductible poker bonus The other $2,000 cannot be used.
• Finally, you need to complete the first part of your form 1040 to determine your adjusted gross income, because only gambling losses to the extent of gambling winnings that exceed 2 percent of your adjusted gross income are deductible. Deductible losses must meet both criteria.
• For example, say your gross income is $60,000. You are able to list your deductions and you have gambling losses of $3,258 and winnings of $2,947. The 2 percent threshold for you will be $1,200. Because your winnings are less than your losses, only $2,947 of your losses can count toward the threshold. But then you must subtract $1,200 from $2,947 to arrive at $1,747 of deductible losses.
• Verify your gambling losses with documents such as originals or copies of lottery and KENO tickets purchased, racing and other wagering tickets, credit card records, canceled checks, bank withdrawal records, records of casino slot machine numbers and table numbers where you gambled. Including any statements of winnings and payments made to you by gambling establishment
• Plan ahead by keeping an accurate gambling journal of your winnings and losses. Good records will reduce your tax bite if you have a large win.