Turbotax won't offset my rental income with my multifamily syndication losses

[John Teachout]

Can't figure out why when I enter my significant syndication losses into Turbotax it won't show the losses. I have losses of about $73k and net rental income of about $69k. The turbotax tech said it's because I'm not showing active engagement on the syndications. That doesn't make sense to me. Those are passive investments and should offset my other passive income. I don't have any W2 income but do have social security, IRA income (from a conversion), interest income, some small business income, etc. I am a real estate professional but don't believe that's a factor.

[Mark S.]

Quote from @John Teachout:

Can't figure out why when I enter my significant syndication losses into Turbotax it won't show the losses. I have losses of about $73k and net rental income of about $69k. The turbotax tech said it's because I'm not showing active engagement on the syndications. That doesn't make sense to me. Those are passive investments and should offset my other passive income. I don't have any W2 income but do have social security, IRA income (from a conversion), interest income, some small business income, etc. I am a real estate professional but don't believe that's a factor.

You should be talking to a knowledgeable, REI-focused tax advisor - not a TurboTax tech.