U.S. · Tax forms
Schedule D line 16, combine lines 7 and 15.
Gain, loss or zero: where the result goes and which lines to skip.
Line 16 adds the net short-term result from line 7 to the net long-term result from line 15. If it is a gain, enter it on Form 1040 line 7a and go to line 17. If it is a loss, skip lines 17 through 20, go to line 21 and complete line 22. If it is zero, enter -0- on Form 1040 line 7a and go to line 22.
Look up a Schedule D line
Result
Schedule D line 16 on the 2025 form
The 2025 form prints this line as: “Combine lines 7 and 15 and enter the result.”
| Line | Meaning | What the IRS says |
|---|---|---|
| Line 7 | Net short-term capital gain or (loss) | Combine lines 1a through 6 in column (h) |
| Line 15 | Net long-term capital gain or (loss) | Combine lines 8a through 14 in column (h) |
| Line 16: gain | Combined result is a gain | Enter on Form 1040, 1040-SR or 1040-NR, line 7a; then go to line 17 |
| Line 16: loss | Combined result is a loss | Skip lines 17 through 20; go to line 21; complete line 22 |
| Line 16: zero | Combined result is zero | Skip lines 17 through 21; enter -0- on line 7a; go to line 22 |
| Line 17 | Are lines 15 and 16 both gains? | Yes: go to line 18. No: skip 18 through 21, go to line 22 |
| Line 20 | Lines 18 and 19 zero, no Form 4952? | Yes: Qualified Dividends and Capital Gain Tax Worksheet. No: Schedule D Tax Worksheet |
| Line 22 | Qualified dividends on Form 1040 line 3a? | Yes: Qualified Dividends and Capital Gain Tax Worksheet; No: finish the return |
The three outcomes
The form gives three branches. A gain goes to Form 1040, 1040-SR or 1040-NR, line 7a, and then to line 17. A loss skips lines 17 through 20, goes to line 21 (where it is limited), and also needs line 22 completed. A zero skips lines 17 through 21, enters -0- on line 7a and continues at line 22.
After a gain
Line 17 asks whether lines 15 and 16 are both gains. If so, lines 18 and 19 apply the 28% Rate Gain and Unrecaptured Section 1250 Gain worksheets where they are required, and line 20 picks which tax worksheet to use. If either is a loss, you skip to line 22.
Worked example
Lena (made-up) has line 7 of ($2,000) and line 15 of $5,500. Line 16 is $5,500 − $2,000 = $3,500, a gain, so she enters $3,500 on Form 1040 line 7a and goes to line 17. If line 15 had been only $1,500, line 16 would be a ($500) loss, skip to line 21 and be fully allowed because it is under the limit.
Related pages
The line 15 page explains the long-term total, and the line 21 page covers the loss limit that applies when line 16 is negative.
More Schedule D line pages
Other pages in this set: Schedule D line 13, Schedule D line 15, Schedule D line 18, Schedule D line 19, Schedule D line 21.
Sources
- Instructions for Schedule D (Form 1040) (2025): the line-by-line instructions on this page. Page last reviewed or updated April 30, 2026. Read November 2, 2026.
- Schedule D (Form 1040) 2025: the printed line wording and arithmetic on the form. Read November 2, 2026.
Tax year 2025 edition (returns filed in 2026). Line numbers, dollar limits and wording are those printed in the 2025 form and instructions and change by year. Names in worked examples are made up.
Frequently asked questions
What is Schedule D line 16?
The combination of line 7 (net short-term) and line 15 (net long-term), entered as a gain or a loss.
Where does a line 16 gain go?
On Form 1040, 1040-SR or 1040-NR, line 7a, and then you go to line 17.
What if line 16 is a loss?
Skip lines 17 through 20, go to line 21 and complete line 22.
What if line 16 is zero?
Skip lines 17 through 21, enter -0- on Form 1040, 1040-SR or 1040-NR, line 7a, and go to line 22.
What does line 17 ask?
Whether lines 15 and 16 are both gains. If yes go to line 18; if no skip to line 22.
Not tax advice
This page summarizes IRS instructions, mostly written for the people who prepare the form, and is not tax, legal or financial advice. A CPA or an enrolled agent can confirm what a line means for your return. Everything runs in your browser; nothing you enter is sent anywhere.