Answer:
c. $18,000, with $27,000 carried forward to 2020.
Explanation:
Non-business bad debts are accounted as short-term capital losses. Short-term and long-term capital gains may be offset by short-term capital losses. Ellen may offset $15,000 of her $45,000 bad debt from Nicole against the $15,000 capital gain from the sale of stock.
In addition, Ellen may claim up to the annual limitation amount of $3,000 in short-term capital losses. In total, $18,000 of the bad debt can be claimed as a capital loss in the current year with $27,000 in unused short-term capital losses carried forward.