Claiming gambling losses on your tax return

If you make any winnings in the gambling, you need toyou by the gaming establishment.
report the full amount of the winnings for the year onThese records are just suggestive.  The tax liability
line 21 on Form 1040.  You can deduct the losses youdepends on the facts of a particular winning or losing
make from gambling for the year, on line 28 of formand the related circumstances.
1040 on Schedule A.  However, you cannot deductKeno – the copies of the Keno tickets purchased
the losses from gambling which are more than yourby you and validated by a gambling establishment,
winnings!  Also remember, this facility is not availablecopies of your casino credit records, and copies of
to the non-resident aliens. They cannot deduct lossesyour casino check Cashing records are required to be
on gambling in schedule A.produced for winnings and losses from keno activity.
In order to claim losses on gambling you need to knowSlot machines – If you’re playing on these
certain basic rules of IRS on the subject.  Supposemachines, a record of the machine number and all the
you make a winning in gambling of $1000 and in thewinning date and time the machine was played.
same year you make losses of $500, you cannotTable games (including blackjack, poker, roulette, wheel
reduce your winnings by your gambling losses and theof fortune etc) – the number of the table you are
report the difference of $500.  You have to reportplaying, Casino credit card details showing the credit
the full amount of your winnings as your income andissued.
then you can claim losses equal to the amount ofBingo – You should keep a record of the games
winnings as an itemized deduction.  So your recordsyou played, the cost of the tickets purchased and the
for gambling activity should show your winningsamounts collected on winning tickets, any receipts
separately from your losses.from the casino and other relevant records.
In order to claim losses in gambling, you need to keepWinnings from racing – a record of races you
proper records.  You must keep a diary enteringplayed, the amount of wagers, the amounts collected
details of all the losses and winnings from gambling. on winning tickets and amounts lost on losing tickets
The diary should contain the following informationneed to be produced.
1. The date and the type of your wagering activity.Winnings from lotteries – a record of tickets
2. The location of the gambling establishment indicatingpurchased, the dates of purchase, winnings and losses
the name and address.are required to be kept.  You can also keep
3. The names of persons present with you at theunredeemed tickets and payments slips in support of
gambling establishment.your claim.
4. The amount won or lost.Many people never realize that winnings from gambling
The maintenance is just one part of IRSare taxable.  And those who know it, tend to ignore
requirements.  In addition to the diary you must keepit.  However you should remember that the legal
all the related documentation.  This can include formbetting options like state lotteries, casinos and horse
W–2G (declaring Winnings from Gambling), Formracing tracks are regulated by government agencies
5754 (It’s a Statement by person who receivesand IRS keeps a close track with these agencies.  In
winnings from gambling), tickets for wagering, the creditfact that is the reason why the bells ring when you hit
card records including the bank statements showingthe slot.  They’re shouting that someone is there
withdrawals or receipts, payments slips provided toto report your gambling information to the IRS.