Madoff Victims Get a Break

A minor consolation for losing your life savings in Bernie Madoff's investment ponzi scheme: The I.R.S. has decided to allow his victims to claim deductions for their losses, their commissioner told a Senate committee today. "The I.R.S. will allow investors who are not suing Mr. Madoff to claim a theft-loss deduction equal to 95 percent of their investments, minus any withdrawals, reinvested gains and payouts from the Securities Investor Protection Corporation," according to the New York Times. Jilted investors who are suing Madoff can claim deductions up to 75 percent of their lost funds. The I.R.S. plan also applies to victims of other ponzi schemes less famous than Madoff's.