Passive Activity Income Calculator

Calculate taxable passive income with loss limitations and $25K rental exception.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated April 2026 · Source: IRS — Forms, Instructions & Publications

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Total Passive Income

$32,000.00

Usable Losses

$15,000.00

Net Taxable Passive Income

$17,000.00

Passive Income Sources

Rental Income$24,000.00
Dividend Income$5,000.00
Interest Income$3,000.00
Passive Business Income$0.00
Total Passive Income$32,000.00

Passive Loss Application

Passive Losses Available$15,000.00
Used Against Passive Income- $15,000.00
Suspended Losses (carry forward)$0.00
Net Taxable Passive Income$17,000.00

Use the Passive Activity Income Calculator above to calculate your results. Enter your values and see instant results — all calculations run in your browser.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

How It Works

Figuring your taxable passive activity income for the 2026 tax year means working through passive loss limitations and the special $25,000 rental real estate exception, both of which this tool handles. The resulting number drives sound tax planning and helps hold your liability down, which matters all the more given the bracket adjustments and deduction phase-outs expected for 2026.

The calculation starts by aggregating all passive income and losses. Net passive losses are generally disallowed, but the rental real estate exception for active participants lets up to $25,000 of passive losses offset non-passive income. That allowance begins phasing out once Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) exceeds $100,000 and disappears entirely at $150,000.

Owning rental property alone does not unlock the $25,000 exception; the 'active participation' standard has to be met, and overlooking it is where many filers go wrong. Disallowed passive losses also carry forward indefinitely, which makes careful recordkeeping essential for the tax years ahead.

Example: Rental Loss with Active Participation and Moderate MAGI

  1. 1 Input: Passive Income from partnership = $15,000; Passive Loss from rental property (active participation) = -$35,000; Other Passive Income = $5,000; Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) = $120,000.
  2. 2 Calculation: Total Passive Income = $15,000 + $5,000 = $20,000. Total Passive Loss = -$35,000. Net Passive Loss = $20,000 - $35,000 = -$15,000. Rental Exception Phase-out: (($120,000 - $100,000) / $50,000) * $25,000 = $10,000. Allowed Rental Exception = $25,000 - $10,000 = $15,000.
  3. 3 Intermediate Result: The allowed rental exception of $15,000 fully offsets the net passive loss of -$15,000, as the loss is entirely attributable to the rental activity.
  4. 4 Final Result: Taxable Passive Activity Income = $0. The entire -$15,000 net passive loss was offset by the available rental exception. No passive losses are carried forward.

Source: IRS — Forms, Instructions & Publications · Last updated: April 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the passive activity loss rules?
Passive activity losses can only offset passive income, not active income like wages. Rental real estate is generally considered passive. Unused passive losses carry forward to future years and are fully deductible when you dispose of the property in a taxable sale.
What is the $25,000 rental loss allowance?
If you actively participate in managing your rental property, you can deduct up to $25,000 in rental losses against non-passive income if your MAGI is under $100,000. The allowance phases out between $100,000 and $150,000 MAGI. Active participation means making management decisions like approving tenants and setting rents.
What is a Real Estate Professional status?
If you spend 750+ hours per year in real estate activities and more time in real estate than any other profession, you qualify as a Real Estate Professional. This allows you to deduct rental losses without passive activity limitations, which can be extremely valuable for high-income investors.

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