Understanding at-risk limitations for K-1 losses in ProConnect Tax

This article will help you understand at-risk limitations for K-1 losses and how ProConnect Tax calculates allowable loss amounts.

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What are at-risk limitations?

The at-risk limitation is the second of three limitations applied to income-producing activities. The losses must apply in the order listed:

• Basis limit
• At-risk limit
• Passive limit

The at-risk limit is similar to the basis limit in that one of the major components of the amount at-risk is the amount invested in the activity. Under the basis limitation, losses are limited to the amount invested in the activity. However, under the at-risk limitation, losses are limited to the amount an investor actually put at-risk. This can differ from the amount invested due to loan guarantees, stop-loss agreements, or nonrecourse loans.

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Example

A partner increases his adjusted basis for his share of nonrecourse loans. Nonrecourse loans are loans for which no partner is personally liable. Since the partner isn't personally liable for the nonrecourse loans, he isn't considered "at-risk" for the loan, so the amount of losses allowed under the basis limitations will be higher by the amount of the nonrecourse loan.

Some nonrecourse loans, called qualified nonrecourse financing, do increase the amount at-risk. Qualified nonrecourse financing are loans that are secured by real estate that's used in the activity.

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How are at-risk limitations calculated?

The at-risk limits are computed on Form 6198. If partner or shareholder distributions cause the amount at-risk to become negative, gain is recognized to the extent losses have been allowed by at-risk in prior years and have not already been recaptured. The amount of at-risk recapture is carried over to following year as a deduction, and will be allowed as a deduction in the following year if the amount at-risk increases. (IRC 465(d)).

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To calculate at-risk limitations for a K-1 activity:

1. Go to Input Return ⮕ Income ⮕ Passthrough K-1's.
2. Select the appropriate passthrough K-1 screen from the dropdown menu:
   1. Partnership Info (1065 K-1), or
   2. S-Corp Info (1120S K-1)
3. Select the At-Risk tab.
4. Locate the Amount at Risk (6198) section.
5. Enter a 1 or 2 in 1=simplified computation, 2=detailed computation (MANDATORY).
   • If you're using the simplified computation, enter the Adjusted basis at beginning of year. No other entries are needed.
   • If you're using the detailed computation, leave Adjusted basis at beginning of year blank. Then, scroll down to the Detailed Computation (6198 Part III) subsection and complete any applicable fields.

ProConnect Tax will use your entries to generate the Federal At-Risk Limitation Worksheets and complete Form 6198 when applicable. If the losses are limited by at-risk rules, the program will proforma (or roll over) the amounts to the next year's return.

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