Submitted By: someone
Answered: July 22, 2019 3:09 am

I was scammed out of my retirement account (a victim of identity theft). Can I deduct the loss?

Alert the IRS, credit reporting bureaus, and other agencies that you have been a victim of identity theft. Determine whether this is a theft loss. Determine whether you can recover the funds. Unfortunately, if it’s a theft under state law and you can’t recover the money, you don’t get a tax break for it. For 2018 through 2025, no itemized deduction for a theft is allowed.

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Tax Glossary

Cash method of accounting

Reporting income when actually or constructively received and deducting expenses when paid. Certain businesses may not use the cash method.

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