Money from the DOT

What is the name of your state? Georgia
Dot paid me $1700 for a temporary essement to make improvements on their existing right away. Also due to lowering the street they will lower sidewalks and grade my property and drive way to accomadate the grade change. This will cause me to loose many trees and plants. DOT gave me $20,000 for lose of the plants and trees. I had hired an ardorist who made a complete report which says the plants and trees were acually worth $41,000. so my question is will I have to pay tax on this money or can I argue that my actual lose was twice the money received so no taxes.

You report the payments on Schedule D, then set the basis equal to the amount received & have no income. You reduce your basis in the property by the amount received.

You mean similar as to the way I do stocks just make the basis and the money received equal? If that is correct then what do I use in the name line and do I just show one share or leave that blank I guess?

"Easement"