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The Daily Insight

Do you recapture depreciation on a loss?

Author

Henry Morales

Published Mar 22, 2026

Depreciation recapture doesn’t apply if you sell for a loss.

Where do you report depreciation recapture on rental property?

Generally, the gain is reported on Form 8949 and Schedule D. However, part of the gain on the sale or exchange of the depreciable property may have to be recaptured as ordinary income on Form 4797.

Does capital loss offset depreciation recapture?

Depreciation recapture on real property is nothing more than a specially taxed type of capital gain. As such, it can be offset by capital losses. Currently, depreciation recapture is taxed at a maximum of 25 percent.

Why does 1250 recapture generally no longer apply?

Why does §1250 recapture generally no longer apply? Congress repealed the code section. The Tax Reform Act of 1986 changed the depreciation of real property to the straight-line method. §1245 recapture trumps §1250 recapture.

How do I report depreciation recapture on home office?

Recaptured depreciation is taxed at a maximum rate of 25%, rather than the common rate of 15% for long-term capital gains. Applicable state taxes might also apply. You should report this recaptured amount on Schedule D (Capital Gains and Losses), not Form 4797 (Sale of Business Property).

Do you have to recapture home office depreciation?

If you write off expenses related to your home office, be sure to take the depreciation deduction. Why? You’ll have to recapture that depreciation (i.e., pay taxes) when you sell — even if you never took the deduction.

Is there a capital loss and no depreciation recapture?

A There is no capital gain or loss, and no depreciation recapture. There is an ordinary income loss of $1,000, which will reduce the corporation’s federal income taxes by $380. B The capital loss of $29,000 has no effect on income taxes.

What happens to depreciation when you sell an asset for a loss?

There is no depreciation recapture if a taxpayer sells an asset for a loss. However, according to IRC Section 1231, the taxpayer may qualify for the treatment of ordinary loss. If the property is held for one year or less, the gain from the sale of the property will be taxed as ordinary income.

What’s the difference between depreciation and capital gains?

Since the depreciation recapture tax rate is 20% and capital gain tax Capital Gains Tax Capital gains tax is a tax imposed on capital gains or the profits that an individual makes from selling assets. The tax is only imposed once the asset has been converted into cash, and not when it’s still in the hands of an investor.

When does an asset depreciate it is reported as ordinary income?

When an asset depreciates, it is when it loses value over time. The sale of a depreciated asset can be reported as ordinary income if the sale price is more than its adjusted cost basis. The difference between the figures must be reported as part of the individual’s ordinary income when they file their taxes. What is Adjusted Cost Basis?