You won't be able to deduct gambling losses if you lost more money than you won (excess losses) or if you're taking the Standard Deduction. For example, if you have $5,000 in winnings but $7,000 in losses, your deduction is limited to $5,000. See this article about gambling loss deductions for more information. Otherwise allowable under § 615 for higher income taxpayers. There is no provision in the Tax Law exempting or otherwise removing gambling losses from these reduction calculations. Accordingly, the amount of the New York itemized deductions, including any gambling losses. New Tax Law Has Resulted in the Loss of Some Popular Tax Deductions March 20, 2019 - By Edward A. Zurndorfer, Certified Financial Planner The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA), which was passed into law in December 2017, took effect on Jan.

• Gambling Losses Under New Tax Laws
• Gambling Losses Under New Tax Law Firms

Itemized deductions are subtracted from adjusted gross income in arriving at taxable income; they may be claimed in addition to deductions for adjusted gross income. Itemized deductions are also referred to as “below-the-line” deductions. As discussed below, the 2017 Tax Act made substantial changes to the availability of itemized deductions.

1. How did tax reform impact the deduction for state and local sales, income and property taxes?

Under prior law, taxpayers were entitled to deduct (as an itemized deduction) taxes for (1) state and local real and foreign property taxes, (2) state and local personal property taxes, and (3) state, local and foreign income taxes. Taxpayers could also elect to deduct state and local sales taxes instead of state and local income taxes. Property taxes were allowed only as an itemized deduction unless they were incurred in connection with a trade or business.

The 2017 Tax Act limited the ability of taxpayers to deduct state and local taxes (including sales, income and property taxes), imposing a cap of $10,000 ($5,000 for married taxpayers filing separate returns) on this deduction. Foreign real property taxes can no longer be deducted.

Individuals will remain able to deduct state and local sales and property taxes when they are paid in connection with carrying on a trade or business.

These rules apply for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2026.

2. Did tax reform impact the mortgage interest deduction?

The 2017 Tax Act limited the mortgage interest deduction to $750,000. This limit applies to debt incurred after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2026. After December 31, 2025, the $1 million mortgage interest deduction will be reinstated and will apply regardless of when the taxpayer incurred the relevant debt.

Home equity indebtedness interest cannot be deducted for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2026.

The $750,000 limit does not apply with respect to debt incurred on or before December 15, 2017. If the taxpayer enters a binding contract on or before December 15, 2017, to close on the purchase of the taxpayer’s personal residence before January 1, 2018, and if the taxpayer actually purchases that residence before April 1, 2018, the debt will be treated as though it was incurred before December 15, 2017.

Debt amounts that are related to a refinancing will be treated as though incurred on the date that the original debt was incurred, provided that any additional amounts of debt incurred as a result of the refinancing do not exceed the amount of the refinanced debt. However, this exception does not apply if the refinancing occurs after the expiration of the term of the original debt. Further, it does not apply if the original debt was not amortized over its term, the expiration of the term of the first refinancing of the debt or, if earlier, the date which is 30 years after the date of the first refinancing.

3. Did tax reform change the rules governing the itemized deduction for charitable contributions?

The 2017 Tax Act substantially changed the treatment of itemized deductions at the individual level. However, the deduction for charitable contributions remained in place. Under the legislation, the 50 percent AGI limitation on cash contributions to public charities and certain private foundations increased to 60 percent. This provision is effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2026. Amounts that exceed the 60 percent limitation can be carried forward for five years.

Further, the 2017 Tax Act repeals the previously existing 80 percent charitable contributions deduction for payments made in exchange for seating rights at college athletic events. This provision is effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017.

The 2017 Tax Act eliminated the exception under IRC Section 170(f)(8)(D) that relieves taxpayers of the obligation of providing a contemporaneous written acknowledgement by the donee organization for contributions of $250 or more when the donee organization files a return with the required information. This provision is effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2016.

4. Can taxpayers still deduct casualty and theft loss expenses under the 2017 Tax Act?

Under the 2017 Tax Act, individuals are no longer entitled to deduct casualty and theft loss expenses as itemized deductions (when those losses were not related to property used in a trade or business). However, the Act contained an exception for losses that occur in federally declared disaster areas.

Further, if a taxpayer has personal casualty gains, the new rules do not apply (even if the loss does not occur in a federal disaster area) so long as the losses do not exceed the gains. This essentially means that casualty losses can be used to offset casualty gains.

This provision applies for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2026.

5. Can taxpayers deduct loss expenses related to gambling under the 2017 Tax Act?

Yes. However, the 2017 Tax Act clarifies that the limitations on losses related to gambling that may be deducted also include other expenses incurred in connection with the gambling (i.e., the cost of travelling to and from a casino are subject to the Section 165(d) limitation). This essentially means that costs associated with a trade or business of gambling are now included in the loss limitation.

This provision applies for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, and before December 31, 2025.

6. Can taxpayers deduct medical expenses under tax reform? What should individuals know about the medical expense deduction under tax reform?

Yes. The 2017 Tax Act modified the medical expense deduction so that, for tax years beginning after December 31, 2016 and ending before January 1, 2019, a more generous 7.5 percent floor will apply to the medical expense deduction, so that taxpayers are entitled to deduct medical expenses to the extent that the exceed 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income.

For 2017 and 2018, this 7.5 percent threshold also applies for purposes of the alternative minimum tax.

Because of the short window for using the expanded medical expense deduction, individuals should be advised as to the wide array of expenses that qualify as “medical expenses” for purposes of the medical expense deduction. In addition to obvious expenses such as health insurance premiums, medical procedures and Medicare premiums, costs for items such as bandages, dental and vision care and certain travel and meal expenses may be included. Conversely, items such as contributions to HSAs and health FSAs are specifically made ineligible.

IRS Publication 502 provides a comprehensive list of items that both are and are not eligible for the medical expense deduction.

7. How does the 2017 Tax Act impact miscellaneous itemized deductions that are subject to the 2 percent AGI floor?

The 2017 Tax Act suspends all miscellaneous itemized deductions for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026. This includes the deduction for tax preparation services and the deduction for expenses attributable to the trade or business of being an employee. Investment advisory fees are also no longer deductible under the new tax law.

The provision for the above-the-line deduction for certain teacher’s expenses was retained.

The limitation on itemized deductions that applied to certain high-income taxpayers was also suspended for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2026.

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Gambling income, losses fall under income tax law

With the recent opening of CityCenter, many of you may be planning a trip to Las Vegas with hopes of striking it rich. But did you know that all gambling winnings—legal or illegal—should be included in your gross income, subject to income tax? Did you also know about a significant change to Hawaii law related to gambling losses?

Gambling winnings

For federal income tax returns, all gambling winnings are reported as “;other income”; on your Form 1040. Gambling income includes, but is not limited to, winnings from lotteries, raffles, house races and casinos. It includes both cash winnings and the fair market value of prizes such as cars and trips, which must be reported on your return even if your losses are greater than your winnings for the year.

Gambling winnings of $600 or more and at least 300 times the amount of the wager generally will be reported to you on Form W-2G. The reporting threshold is $1,500 for Keno and $1,200 for bingo and slot machines. When winnings exceed $5,000, income tax is generally withheld and credited against tax due on your tax return. Please keep in mind that gambling winnings are included in gross income regardless of whether it is subject to withholding.

Gambling losses

Gambling Losses Under New Tax Laws

For nonprofessional gamblers, gambling losses are deductible as an itemized deduction on Schedule A of your federal income tax return. This means that if you elect to take the standard deduction (rather than itemizing), you may not deduct gambling losses. You also cannot deduct more gambling losses than the amount of your winnings. You must report the full amount of your winnings as income and claim your losses as an itemized deduction.

Gambling losses do not include expenses used to engage in wagering (such as travel, meals and lodging).

To deduct your losses, you must be able to provide receipts, tickets, canceled checks, statements or other records showing the amount of winnings and losses. The IRS also requires that you keep a record of your winnings and losses, listing the date and type of wager or activity, name and location of the gambling establishment, people present with you, and the amounts won or lost.

Gambling Losses Under New Tax Law Firms

Changes to Hawaii law

On July 31 Gov. Linda Lingle signed into law Act 165, which disallows taxpayers from claiming gambling losses on their Hawaii returns. So while all gambling winnings must be reported as income, you are no longer allowed to deduct gambling losses on your Hawaii income tax return. The law applies to any losses beginning Jan. 1, 2009.

Let's say in 2009 you won a total of $1,000 and had $1,200 of well-documented gambling losses. You would need to report the $1,000 of gambling income and deduct $1,000 of your gambling losses as an itemized deduction on your 2009 federal income tax return. The remaining $200 in gambling losses cannot be deducted. However, on your Hawaii tax return, you cannot deduct any of the $1,200 in the gambling losses, and you will be taxed on the $1,000 in winnings.

With the beginning of the new year, now is a perfect time to remember that while gambling can be exciting and enjoyable, you should be mindful of the change in Hawaii law and take note of all your winnings and losses and keep as many receipts as you can.

“;Tax Tips”; appears every other Sunday during tax season. Amy Sugihara is a tax senior associate in the Honolulu office of Grant Thornton LLP. She can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).