A theft is the taking and removing of money or property with the intent to deprive the owner of it. The taking of your property must be illegal under the laws of the state where it occurred and it must have been done with criminal intent.

Theft includes the taking of money or property by the following means.

• Blackmail
• Burglary
• Embezzlement
• Extortion
• Kidnapping for ransom
• Larceny
• Robbery
• Threats

Mislaid or lost property.
The simple disappearance of money or property is not a theft. However, an accidental loss or disappearance of property can qualify as a casualty if it results from an identifiable event that is sudden, unexpected, or unusual.

Example.
A car door is accidentally slammed on your hand, breaking the setting of your diamond ring. The diamond falls from the ring and is never found. The loss of the diamond is a casualty.

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Publication 17 | 1999 Tax Year Archives | Tax Help Archives | Home