How do I claim loss on investment property?
Mia Phillips
Updated on March 17, 2026
If you sold your investment property for less than your cost basis, you have a deductible loss that you can claim when you go to file your taxes for the year. You can use that loss to offset all your capital gains from other investments and up to $3,000 in income from other sources in the current year.
Is a timeshare considered investment property?
A timeshare is not an investment. A timeshare is not an investment, it’s a vacation. It’s also an illiquid asset that is likely to lose value over time. Ultimately, timeshares are like swimming pools, if you buy one, do so because you love the idea of owning it, not because you expect to make a profit.
Is a timeshare investment property for tax purposes?
The tax law generally treats a timeshare that you own as a personal asset, much like your personal automobile. However, if you have regularly rented out your week to others, you might be able to take the position that the timeshare was business or investment property, with the loss being deductible.
Can you claim a loss on property?
Losses from selling a personal residence are not deductible. Generally, you can only claim tax losses for sales of property used for business or investment purposes. However, a loss from a decline in value after conversion to a rental, is generally a deductible loss.
Can you claim a capital loss on a rental property?
To claim capital losses, complete Schedule 3 of your return and transfer the amount to line 12700 of your Income Tax and Benefit Return. If your capital loss exceeds your capital gains for the year, you may carry the loss back to one of the three previous years.
What does the average timeshare cost?
How much does a timeshare cost? The average cost of a timeshare is $22,942 per interval, according to 2019 data from the American Resort Development Association (ARDA). Annual maintenance runs $1,000, on average, but can vary based on the size of the timeshare, ARDA reports.
Can I write off my timeshare?
Yes, you can get a deduction from the property taxes you pay on your timeshare. The taxes assessed must be separate from any maintenance fees (the two are sometimes lumped together in timeshare bills). You may need to request an itemized statement from your timeshare management to prove you paid property taxes.
Can You claim a loss on a timeshare?
Timeshare Use Matters. If you used the timeshare for personal reasons, such as taking vacations, you aren’t allowed to claim a tax deduction for a loss no matter how much you lost. The Internal Revenue Service denies you a deduction for any personal losses, which include losses on vacation homes and timeshares.
What’s the tax deduction for selling a timeshare?
For example, say you paid $13,000 for the timeshare but it’s now only worth $7,000. You’re not entitled to a deduction — yet. If you sell it for $7,000, now you’re entitled to a $6,000 deduction. The first step in figuring your deduction is determining whether it’s a long-term loss or a short-term loss.
How much can you deduct time share loss?
Even if your time share loss exceeds all your gains, the IRS still allows you to deduct up to $3,000 ($1,500 if you’re married filing separately) each year against your other income, like wages, interest or self-employment income. Any additional losses carry over to the next year.
Can a timeshare be converted to an adjusted basis?
When you make such a conversion, the property’s basis (cost for tax purposes) becomes the lesser of (1) the property’s adjusted basis or (2) the property’s fair market value at the date of conversion. If, as is usually the case, your timeshare has declined in value, you’ll have to use the fair market value at conversion as the adjusted basis.