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Internal Revenue Code · 26 U.S.C.

§ 165. Losses

In force Text current through Public Law 119-121 (October 9, 2026) release point 119-121

Official text, no changes From the Office of the Law Revision Counsel, release point 119-121 (current through Public Law 119-121 (October 9, 2026)). Compare it with the official text at uscode.house.gov (external site).

Cite as 26 U.S.C. § 165

At a glance

Read from the text, the source credit and the official notes. Not part of the law.

Status
In force
Enacted
September 2, 1958 by Pub. L. 85–866
Last amended
September 11, 2026 by Pub. L. 119–108
Amendments
24 dated changes in the source credit
Length
13 subsections · 3,429 words · about 15 min to read
Defines
17 terms
Cross-references
cites 16; cited by 34 Code sections and 91 other regulations
Regulations
12 issued under this section
(a) General rule

There shall be allowed as a deduction any loss sustained during the taxable year and not compensated for by insurance or otherwise.

(b) Amount of deduction

For purposes of subsection (a), the basis for determining the amount of the deduction for any loss shall be the adjusted basis provided in section 1011 for determining the loss from the sale or other disposition of property.

(c) Limitation on losses of individuals In the case of an individual, the deduction under subsection (a) shall be limited to—
(1) losses incurred in a trade or business;
(2) losses incurred in any transaction entered into for profit, though not connected with a trade or business; and
(3) except as provided in subsection (h), losses of property not connected with a trade or business or a transaction entered into for profit, if such losses arise from fire, storm, shipwreck, or other casualty, or from theft.
(d) Wagering losses
(1) In general For purposes of losses from wagering transactions, the amount allowed as a deduction for any taxable year—
(A) shall be equal to 90 percent of the amount of such losses during such taxable year, and
(B) shall be allowed only to the extent of the gains from such transactions during such taxable year.
(2) Special rule

For purposes of paragraph (1), the term “losses from wagering transactions” includes any deduction otherwise allowable under this chapter incurred in carrying on any wagering transaction.

(e) Theft losses

For purposes of subsection (a), any loss arising from theft shall be treated as sustained during the taxable year in which the taxpayer discovers such loss.

(f) Capital losses

Losses from sales or exchanges of capital assets shall be allowed only to the extent allowed in sections 1211 and 1212.

(g) Worthless securities
(1) General rule

If any security which is a capital asset becomes worthless during the taxable year, the loss resulting therefrom shall, for purposes of this subtitle, be treated as a loss from the sale or exchange, on the last day of the taxable year, of a capital asset.

(2) Security defined For purposes of this subsection, the term “security” means—
(A) a share of stock in a corporation;
(B) a right to subscribe for, or to receive, a share of stock in a corporation; or
(C) a bond, debenture, note, or certificate, or other evidence of indebtedness, issued by a corporation or by a government or political subdivision thereof, with interest coupons or in registered form.
(3) Securities in affiliated corporation For purposes of paragraph (1), any security in a corporation affiliated with a taxpayer which is a domestic corporation shall not be treated as a capital asset. For purposes of the preceding sentence, a corporation shall be treated as affiliated with the taxpayer only if—
(A) the taxpayer owns directly stock in such corporation meeting the requirements of section 1504(a)(2), and
(B) more than 90 percent of the aggregate of its gross receipts for all taxable years has been from sources other than royalties, rents (except rents derived from rental of properties to employees of the corporation in the ordinary course of its operating business), dividends, interest (except interest received on deferred purchase price of operating assets sold), annuities, and gains from sales or exchanges of stocks and securities.
In computing gross receipts for purposes of the preceding sentence, gross receipts from sales or exchanges of stocks and securities shall be taken into account only to the extent of gains therefrom.
(h) Treatment of casualty gains and losses
(1) Dollar limitation per casualty

Any loss of an individual described in subsection (c)(3) shall be allowed only to the extent that the amount of the loss to such individual arising from each casualty, or from each theft, exceeds $100 ($500 in the case of any qualified disaster-related personal casualty losses (as defined in paragraph (6)(C)) 11 So in original. Another closing parenthesis probably should appear..

(2) Net casualty loss allowed only to the extent it exceeds 10 percent of adjusted gross income
(A) In general If the personal casualty losses for any taxable year exceed the personal casualty gains for such taxable year, such losses shall be allowed for the taxable year only to the extent of the sum of—
(i) the amount of the personal casualty gains for the taxable year, plus
(ii) so much of such excess as exceeds 10 percent of the adjusted gross income of the individual.
(B) Special rule where personal casualty gains exceed personal casualty losses If the personal casualty gains for any taxable year exceed the personal casualty losses for such taxable year—
(i) all such gains shall be treated as gains from sales or exchanges of capital assets, and
(ii) all such losses shall be treated as losses from sales or exchanges of capital assets.
(3) Definitions of personal casualty gain and personal casualty loss For purposes of this subsection—
(A) Personal casualty gain

The term “personal casualty gain” means the recognized gain from any involuntary conversion of property which is described in subsection (c)(3) arising from fire, storm, shipwreck, or other casualty, or from theft.

(B) Personal casualty loss

The term “personal casualty loss” means any loss described in subsection (c)(3). For purposes of paragraph (2), the amount of any personal casualty loss shall be determined after the application of paragraph (1).

(4) Special rules
(A) Personal casualty losses allowable in computing adjusted gross income to the extent of personal casualty gains

In any case to which paragraph (2)(A) applies, the deduction for personal casualty losses for any taxable year shall be treated as a deduction allowable in computing adjusted gross income to the extent such losses do not exceed the personal casualty gains for the taxable year.

(B) Joint returns

For purposes of this subsection, a husband and wife making a joint return for the taxable year shall be treated as 1 individual.

(C) Determination of adjusted gross income in case of estates and trusts

For purposes of paragraph (2), the adjusted gross income of an estate or trust shall be computed in the same manner as in the case of an individual, except that the deductions for costs paid or incurred in connection with the administration of the estate or trust shall be treated as allowable in arriving at adjusted gross income.

(D) Coordination with estate tax

No loss described in subsection (c)(3) shall be allowed if, at the time of filing the return, such loss has been claimed for estate tax purposes in the estate tax return.

(E) Claim required to be filed in certain cases

Any loss of an individual described in subsection (c)(3) to the extent covered by insurance shall be taken into account under this section only if the individual files a timely insurance claim with respect to such loss.

(5) Limitation for taxable years beginning after 2017
(A) In general

In the case of an individual, except as provided in subparagraph (B), any personal casualty loss which (but for this paragraph) would be deductible in a taxable year beginning after December 31, 2017, shall be allowed as a deduction under subsection (a) only to the extent it is attributable to a Federally declared disaster (as defined in subsection (i)(5)) or a State declared disaster.

(B) Exception related to personal casualty gains If a taxpayer has personal casualty gains for any taxable year to which subparagraph (A) applies—
(i) subparagraph (A) shall not apply to the portion of the personal casualty loss not attributable to a Federally declared disaster (as so defined) or a State declared disaster to the extent such loss does not exceed such gains, and
(ii) in applying paragraph (2) for purposes of subparagraph (A) to the portion of personal casualty loss which is so attributable to such a disaster, the amount of personal casualty gains taken into account under paragraph (2)(A) shall be reduced by the portion of such gains taken into account under clause (i).
(C) State declared disaster For purposes of this paragraph—
(i) In general

The term “State declared disaster” means, with respect to any State, any natural catastrophe (including any hurricane, tornado, storm, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, or drought), or, regardless of cause, any fire, flood, or explosion, in any part of the State, which in the determination of the Governor of such State (or the Mayor, in the case of the District of Columbia) and the Secretary causes damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant the application of the rules of this section.

(ii) State

The term “State” includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

(6) Special rule for qualified net disaster losses
(A) In general If an individual has a qualified net disaster loss for any taxable year, the amount determined under paragraph (2)(A)(ii) shall be the sum of—
(i) such qualified net disaster loss, and
(ii) so much of the excess referred to in the matter preceding clause (i) of paragraph (2)(A) (reduced by the amount in clause (i) of this subparagraph) as exceeds 10 percent of the adjusted gross income of the individual.
(B) Qualified net disaster loss For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “qualified net disaster loss” means the excess (if any) of—
(i) qualified disaster-related personal casualty losses, over
(ii) personal casualty gains reduced by the portion of such gains taken into account under paragraph (5)(B)(i).
(C) Qualified disaster-related personal casualty losses For purposes of this paragraph—
(i) In general

The term “qualified disaster-related personal casualty losses” means losses described in subsection (c)(3) (determined after application of paragraph (1)) which arise in a qualified disaster area on or after the first day of the incident period of the qualified disaster to which such area relates, and which are attributable to such disaster.

(ii) Qualified disaster area

The term “qualified disaster area” means any area with respect to which a major disaster has been declared by the President under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act if the incident period of the disaster with respect to which such declaration is made begins on or after December 28, 2019, and before January 1, 2027.

(iii) Qualified disaster

The term “qualified disaster” means, with respect to any qualified disaster area, the disaster by reason of which a major disaster was declared with respect to such area.

(iv) Incident period

The term “incident period” means, with respect to any qualified disaster, the period specified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as the period during which such disaster occurred.

(i) Disaster losses
(1) Election to take deduction for preceding year

Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), any loss occurring in a disaster area and attributable to a federally declared disaster may, at the election of the taxpayer, be taken into account for the taxable year immediately preceding the taxable year in which the disaster occurred.

(2) Year of loss

If an election is made under this subsection, the casualty resulting in the loss shall be treated for purposes of this title as having occurred in the taxable year for which the deduction is claimed.

(3) Amount of loss

The amount of the loss taken into account in the preceding taxable year by reason of paragraph (1) shall not exceed the uncompensated amount determined on the basis of the facts existing at the date the taxpayer claims the loss.

(4) Use of disaster loan appraisals to establish amount of loss

Nothing in this title shall be construed to prohibit the Secretary from prescribing regulations or other guidance under which an appraisal for the purpose of obtaining a loan of Federal funds or a loan guarantee from the Federal Government as a result of a federally declared disaster may be used to establish the amount of any loss described in paragraph (1) or (2).

(5) Federally declared disasters For purposes of this subsection—
(A) In general

The term “Federally 22 So in original. Probably should not be capitalized. declared disaster” means any disaster subsequently determined by the President of the United States to warrant assistance by the Federal Government under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

(B) Disaster area

The term “disaster area” means the area so determined to warrant such assistance.

(j) Denial of deduction for losses on certain obligations not in registered form
(1) In general

Nothing in subsection (a) or in any other provision of law shall be construed to provide a deduction for any loss sustained on any registration-required obligation unless such obligation is in registered form (or the issuance of such obligation was subject to tax under section 4701).

(2) Definitions For purposes of this subsection—
(A) Registration-required obligation

The term “registration-required obligation” has the meaning given to such term by section 163(f)(2).

(B) Registered form

The term “registered form” has the same meaning as when used in section 163(f).

(3) Exceptions The Secretary may, by regulations, provide that this subsection and section 1287 shall not apply with respect to obligations held by any person if—
(A) such person holds such obligations in connection with a trade or business outside the United States,
(B) such person holds such obligations as a broker dealer (registered under Federal or State law) for sale to customers in the ordinary course of his trade or business,
(C) such person complies with reporting requirements with respect to ownership, transfers, and payments as the Secretary may require, or
(D) such person promptly surrenders the obligation to the issuer for the issuance of a new obligation in registered form,
but only if such obligations are held under arrangements provided in regulations or otherwise which are designed to assure that such obligations are not delivered to any United States person other than a person described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C).
(k) Treatment as disaster loss where taxpayer ordered to demolish or relocate residence in disaster area because of disaster In the case of a taxpayer whose residence is located in an area which has been determined by the President of the United States to warrant assistance by the Federal Government under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, if—
(1) not later than the 120th day after the date of such determination, the taxpayer is ordered, by the government of the State or any political subdivision thereof in which such residence is located, to demolish or relocate such residence, and
(2) the residence has been rendered unsafe for use as a residence by reason of the disaster,
any loss attributable to such disaster shall be treated as a loss which arises from a casualty and which is described in subsection (i).
(l) Treatment of certain losses in insolvent financial institutions
(1) In general If—
(A) as of the close of the taxable year, it can reasonably be estimated that there is a loss on a qualified individual’s deposit in a qualified financial institution, and
(B) such loss is on account of the bankruptcy or insolvency of such institution,
then the taxpayer may elect to treat the amount so estimated as a loss described in subsection (c)(3) incurred during the taxable year.
(2) Qualified individual defined For purposes of this subsection, the term “qualified individual” means any individual, except an individual—
(A) who owns at least 1 percent in value of the outstanding stock of the qualified financial institution,
(B) who is an officer of the qualified financial institution,
(C) who is a sibling (whether by the whole or half blood), spouse, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, ancestor, or lineal descendant of an individual described in subparagraph (A) or (B), or
(D) who otherwise is a related person (as defined in section 267(b)) with respect to an individual described in subparagraph (A) or (B).
(3) Qualified financial institution For purposes of this subsection, the term “qualified financial institution” means—
(A) any bank (as defined in section 581),
(B) any institution described in section 591,
(C) any credit union the deposits or accounts in which are insured under Federal or State law or are protected or guaranteed under State law, or
(D) any similar institution chartered and supervised under Federal or State law.
(4) Deposit

For purposes of this subsection, the term “deposit” means any deposit, withdrawable account, or withdrawable or repurchasable share.

(5) Election to treat as ordinary loss
(A) In general

In lieu of any election under paragraph (1), the taxpayer may elect to treat the amount referred to in paragraph (1) for the taxable year as an ordinary loss described in subsection (c)(2) incurred during the taxable year.

(B) Limitations
(i) Deposit may not be federally insured

No election may be made under subparagraph (A) with respect to any loss on a deposit in a qualified financial institution if part or all of such deposit is insured under Federal law.

(ii) Dollar limitation

With respect to each financial institution, the aggregate amount of losses attributable to deposits in such financial institution to which an election under subparagraph (A) may be made by the taxpayer for any taxable year shall not exceed $20,000 ($10,000 in the case of a separate return by a married individual). The limitation of the preceding sentence shall be reduced by the amount of any insurance proceeds under any State law which can reasonably be expected to be received with respect to losses on deposits in such institution.

(6) Election Any election by the taxpayer under this subsection for any taxable year—
(A) shall apply to all losses for such taxable year of the taxpayer on deposits in the institution with respect to which such election was made, and
(B) may be revoked only with the consent of the Secretary.
(7) Coordination with section 166

Section 166 shall not apply to any loss to which an election under this subsection applies.

(m) Cross references
(1) For special rule for banks with respect to worthless securities, see section 582.
(2) For disallowance of deduction for worthlessness of securities to which subsection (g)(2)(C) applies, if issued by a political party or similar organization, see section 271.
(3) For special rule for losses on stock in a small business investment company, see section 1242.
(4) For special rule for losses of a small business investment company, see section 1243.
(5) For special rule for losses on small business stock, see section 1244.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 49; Pub. L. 85–866, title I, §§ 7, 57(c)(1), title II, § 202(a), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1608, 1646, 1676; Pub. L. 87–426, § 2(a), Mar. 31, 1962, 76 Stat. 51; Pub. L. 88–272, title II, §§ 208(a), 238, Feb. 26, 1964, 78 Stat. 43, 128; Pub. L. 88–348, § 3(a), June 30, 1964, 78 Stat. 237; Pub. L. 91–606, title III, § 301(h), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1759; Pub. L. 91–677, § 1(a), Jan. 12, 1971, 84 Stat. 2061; Pub. L. 91–687, § 1, Jan. 12, 1971, 84 Stat. 2071; Pub. L. 92–336, § 2(a), July 1, 1972, 86 Stat. 406; Pub. L. 92–418, § 2(a), Aug. 29, 1972, 86 Stat. 656, 657; Pub. L. 93–288, title VII, § 702(h), formerly title VI, § 602(h), May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 164, renumbered title VII, § 702(h), Pub. L. 103–337, div. C, title XXXIV, § 3411(a)(1), (2), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3100; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1901(a)(26), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1767; Pub. L. 97–248, title II, § 203(a), (b), title III, § 310(b)(5), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 422, 598; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title I, § 42(a)(4), title VII, § 711(c)(1), (2)(A)(i), (ii), title X, § 1051(a), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 556, 943, 1044; Pub. L. 99–514, title IX, § 905(a), title X, § 1004(a), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2385, 2388; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1009(d)(1), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3449; Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 109(l), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4709; Pub. L. 105–34, title IX, § 912(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 878; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title III, § 318(b)(1), (2)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–645; Pub. L. 108–311, title IV, § 408(a)(7)(A), (B), Oct. 4, 2004, 118 Stat. 1191; Pub. L. 110–343, div. C, title VII, § 706(a)(1), (2)(A)–(C), (c), Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3921–3923; Pub. L. 111–147, title V, § 502(a)(2)(D), Mar. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 107; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title II, §§ 211(c)(1)(C), 221(a)(27)(A)–(C), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4033, 4040; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, §§ 11044(a), 11050(a), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2087, 2089; Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, §§ 70109(a), (b), 70114(a), July 4, 2025, 139 Stat. 163, 166; Pub. L. 119–108, § 2(a), (b), Sept. 11, 2026, 140 Stat. 1019, 1020.)

Terms defined here

Where the text says “the term … means”. Select a term to jump to its definition.

Regulations under this section

Treasury regulations (26 CFR) issued under § 165

Cross-references

Computed from the citations in the text of Title 26 and 26 CFR.

This section cites 16 other sections

Cited by 34 Code sections

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Cited in 91 regulations not issued under it

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Amendment history

From the source credit and the official notes, newest first.

  1. Amended by Pub. L. 119–108Parts changed in 2026: (h)(1) (h)(6)
  2. Amended by Pub. L. 119–21Parts changed in 2025: (d) (h)(5) (h)(5)(A) (h)(5)(B)(i) (h)(5)(C)
  3. Amended by Pub. L. 115–97Parts changed in 2017: (d) (h)(5)
  4. Amended by Pub. L. 113–295Parts changed in 2014: (h)(1) (h)(3) (h)(3)(B) (h)(4) (i)(1) (i)(4) (i)(5)
  5. Amended by Pub. L. 111–147Parts changed in 2010: (j)(2)(A)
  6. Amended by Pub. L. 110–343Parts changed in 2008: (h)(1) (h)(3) (h)(4) (h)(4)(B) (h)(5) (i)(1) (i)(4)
  7. Amended by Pub. L. 108–311Parts changed in 2004: (i)(1)
  8. Amended by Pub. L. 106–554Parts changed in 2000: (g)(3) (g)(3)(A)
  9. Amended by Pub. L. 105–34Parts changed in 1997: (i)(4)
  10. Amended by Pub. L. 103–337
  11. Amended by Pub. L. 100–707Parts changed in 1988: (i)(1) (l)(5)
  12. Amended by Pub. L. 100–647
  13. Amended by Pub. L. 99–514Parts changed in 1986: (h)(4)(E) (l)
  14. Amended by Pub. L. 98–369Parts changed in 1984: (c)(3) (h) (j)(3) (k)
  15. Amended by Pub. L. 97–248Parts changed in 1982: (c)(3) (h) (i) (j) (k)
  16. Amended by Pub. L. 94–455Parts changed in 1976: (i)
  17. Amended by Pub. L. 93–288Parts changed in 1974: (h)
  18. Amended by Pub. L. 92–418Parts changed in 1972: (h) (h)(1)
  19. Amended by Pub. L. 92–336
  20. Amended by Pub. L. 91–677, Pub. L. 91–687Parts changed in 1971: (g)(3) (i)(1) (i)(2)(B) (i)(3)
  21. Amended by Pub. L. 91–606Parts changed in 1970: (h)(2)
  22. Amended by Pub. L. 88–348Parts changed in 1964: (c)(3) (i) (j)
  23. Amended by Pub. L. 88–272
  24. Amended by Pub. L. 87–426Parts changed in 1962: (h)
  25. Enacted by Pub. L. 85–866Parts changed in 1958: (g)(3)(B) (h)(3) (h)(5)

Where it sits in the Code

  1. Subtitle A Income Taxes
  2. Chapter 1 NORMAL TAXES AND SURTAXES
  3. Subchapter B Computation of Taxable Income
  4. Part VI ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND CORPORATIONS

Nearby sections

Official notes

The Law Revision Counsel's notes for this section (amendments, effective dates and related laws) are long, so they have their own page.