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# How does carrying forward business losses work?

If you are self-employed and your activity made a loss, that loss can still count for tax purposes. Under certain conditions, you can carry it forward and deduct it from your income in the following years.

#### What is a business loss?

A business loss occurs when the expenses of your activity exceed its income over a year. It can come from:
* a commercial business;
* an agricultural or forestry operation;
* a liberal profession (for example a lawyer, doctor, architect or independent consultant).
Losses from other types of income, such as rental income, cannot be carried forward in this way.

#### What are the conditions?

To carry forward a loss, several conditions must be met:
* **Regular accounting**: the loss must result from properly kept accounts. A simple record of income and expenses is not enough.
* **A personal loss**: you can only deduct losses you made yourself in your own activity.
* **An unused loss**: the loss is first offset against your other income in the same year (for example a salary). Only the remaining part can be carried forward.

#### How long can a loss be carried forward?

* Losses made **from 2017 onwards** can be carried forward for up to **17 years**.
* Losses made **before 2017** can be carried forward with no time limit.

#### Example

In 2023, your self-employed activity makes a loss of €20,000. In the same year, you also earn a salary of €8,000.
* The loss is first offset against your salary: €20,000 − €8,000 = €12,000.
* The remaining €12,000 can be carried forward to the following years.
* In 2024, you can deduct all or part of this €12,000 from your income. Any unused part can be carried forward again.
####