Deducting a Loss From A Scam

[Snerdguy]

A couple years ago, I was scammed out of a lot of money by someone who acted like my friend and set me up. I took him to civil court, showed them the evidence that he did it deliberately and won a judgement against him. BUT, I have gotten very little of it and the lawyer fees and interest on the money I borrowed is adding up. The guy turns out to drug addict and all round criminal type and I will probably never recover what he scammed. Can I write this kind of loss off of my taxable income? How do I go about doing that? Is it something that I need a tax professional's help to do?

 

[FlyingRon]

Read this first: https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc453
Then write back if you have further questions.

 

[Taxing Matters]

How exactly did he scam you?

 

[Zigner]

What US state?

 

[LdiJ]

What US state?

That is not relevant to federal tax law. However, if you are intending to hint that the OP might not even be in the US, then just say so.

 

[Just Blue]

What US state?

Ohio per posting history.