I was swindle out of $4500.00 how do i claim it

Theft losses are considered casualty losses.  They are reported on Schedule A with other itemized deductions.  If all of your itemized deductions exceed your standard deduction (the amount the IRS gives us regardless of expenses we may have), then TurboTax will use the most advantageous amount.

However, casualty losses are subject to a threshold of 10% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) as well as a reduction of $100.  Therefore, if your AGI if $50,000, then 10% of that is $5,000.  Your theft loss is less than that amount and therefore, would not be an eligible deduction on your tax return.  If your loss was $6,100, you would only have a $1,000 deduction after the $5,000 threshold and the $100 reduction.

You should always enter the information into the program, though, so TurboTax can maximize your deductions, credits and most of all, your refund.

Please follow the instructions below for entering the theft loss in (for TurboTax Online, except Home & Business):

1. Click on Federal Taxes
2. Click on Deductions & Credits
3. Click on Jump to full list
4. Click Show more next to Other Deductions and Credits
5. Click Start next to Casualties and Thefts
6. Indicate that Yes you had a loss and No for the fraudulent investment question (TurboTax does not support ponzi-scheme situations).
7. Enter in the information related to your theft loss and Continue through until you are back at your Deductions & Credits screen.

Please follow the instructions below for entering the theft loss in (for TurboTax Desktop and TurboTax Online Home & Business):

1. Click on Federal Taxes, (Personal, if you're using Home & Business)
2. Click on Deductions & Credits
3. Select I'll choose what I work on
4. Click on Start/Update next to Casualties and Thefts under Other Deductions and Credits category
5. Indicate that Yes you had a loss and No for the fraudulent investment question (TurboTax does not support ponzi-scheme situations).
6. Enter in the information related to your theft loss and Continue through until you are back at your Deductions & Credits screen.