was it able to be utilized in 2018?

Yes and then entire amount was claimed in 2018 as it was less than $1,000.  Now we are going to have to file an amended return for 2019 because for some reason the software carried that loss forward to 2019 and also 2020, which thankfully it was caught this year.  I'm just trying to understand why the software is doing that.  

But did they end up at negative income after that $1000 loss in 2018? If you cant use the loss, I think it keeps carrying over. Look at the Carryover Worksheet in 2018 and 2019.

After the standard deduction (because they do not itemize) the did not have any taxable income.  Is that why it's continuing to roll to the next year?

Yes, I believe thats whats happening.

Would it still have been zero taxable income even without the loss? If so, it wasnt utilized and thats why its carrying over each year.

Yes, even without this loss, they would have had zero taxable income.  This makes sense now.  Thanks so much for your time.

Youre welcome