Abandon All Hope? If a Partnership, Maybe

By:  Amanda Wilson

Several years ago, many taxpayers faced with underwater partnerships would abandon their partnership interests, thereby triggering an ordinary loss.  This ordinary loss was often preferred over the capital loss that would be triggered if the taxpayer’s sold their partnership interests or liquidated the partnership.  Capital losses are less advantageous, as they can generally only be used to offset capital gains.  By contrast, ordinary losses can offset ordinary income, providing a much bigger tax benefit. read more