FAILURE MAP
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FA-62436 / Tax bracket computation / Open access

The whole net capital loss offsets ordinary income · case 01

A 10,000 capital loss wipes out 10,000 of wages.

Verified by executionVariant 1 · 7 checks per implementationDownload source bundle ↓JSON ↗

ROOT CAUSE

The net capital loss deduction against ordinary income is not capped at 3000.

VERIFIED REPAIR

Deduct at most 3000 of a net capital loss from ordinary income.

Unsuccessful approach: Capping short- and long-term losses separately at 3000 each still allows up to 6000.

Case contract

solve(ordinary, stcg, ltcg, status): stipulated two-schedule computation for status 'single' or 'mfj'. Net short- and long-term results against each other first. If the combined capital result is a loss, up to 3000 of it reduces ordinary income (floored at 0) and nothing is preferential. Otherwise positive net short-term gain is ordinary income, and net long-term gain is preferential. Ordinary income uses the status bracket table. Preferential gain is stacked on top of ordinary income: 0% up to T1, 15% up to T2, 20% above (single T1 47025, T2 518900; mfj 94050, 583750). Return total tax in integer cents (half-up).

Why this case matters

Tax computations hinge on which slice, threshold, ordering and rounding rule applies at each step; a misplaced boundary silently misstates liabilities.

1 / The failure

Exit 1
"""Failure Map reference implementation. Python standard library only."""
import json
from fractions import Fraction
N = 1
observations = []
def solve(ordinary, stcg, ltcg, status):
    def prog(x, br):
        tax, lower = Fraction(0), 0
        for upper, rate in br:
            top = x if upper is None else min(x, upper)
            if top > lower: tax += (top - lower) * Fraction(rate) / 100
            if upper is None or x <= upper: break
            lower = upper
        return tax
    def cents(v):
        v = v * 100
        return int(v + Fraction(1, 2)) if v >= 0 else -int(-v + Fraction(1, 2))
    
    brs = {'single': [[11600, '10'], [47150, '12'], [100525, '22'], [191950, '24'], [243725, '32'], [609350, '35'], [None, '37']], 'mfj': [[23200, '10'], [94300, '12'], [201050, '22'], [383900, '24'], [487450, '32'], [731200, '35'], [None, '37']]}
    bands = {'single': (47025, 518900), 'mfj': (94050, 583750)}
    t1, t2 = bands[status]
    st, lt = stcg, ltcg
    if st + lt < 0:
        ord_inc, pref = max(0, ordinary - -(st + lt)), 0
    else:
        if st < 0: lt, st = lt + st, 0
        if lt < 0: st, lt = st + lt, 0
        ord_inc, pref = ordinary + st, lt
    lo, hi = ord_inc, ord_inc + pref
    fifteen = max(0, min(hi, t2) - max(lo, t1))
    twenty = max(0, hi - max(lo, t2))
    tax = prog(ord_inc, brs[status]) + Fraction(15, 100) * fifteen + Fraction(20, 100) * twenty
    return cents(tax)
def check(label, actual, expected):
    observations.append({"check": label, "actual": actual, "expected": expected, "passed": actual == expected})
cases = [[('regression loss-limit 1', (60000, -5000, -5000, 'single'), 759300),
  ('regression loss-limit 2', (60000, -5000, 1000, 'single'), 759300),
  ('partial repair guard 2', (550000, -8000, -3000, 'mfj'), 13219950),
  ('control: stacked partly in zero band', (40000, 0, 20000, 'single'), 651425),
  ('control: gain only', (0, 0, 50000, 'single'), 44625), ('control: high mfj', (500000, 0, 100000, 'mfj'), 13156200),
  ('control: short-term gain', (30000, 10000, 5000, 'single'), 456800)],
 [('regression loss-limit 1', (550000, -8000, -3000, 'mfj'), 13219950),
  ('regression loss-limit 2', (10000, -8000, 0, 'single'), 70000),
  ('partial repair guard 1', (524248, -16451, -3000, 'single'), 15281155),
  ('partial repair guard 2', (10000, -1500, -3000, 'single'), 70000),
  ('control: high mfj', (500000, 0, 100000, 'mfj'), 13156200),
  ('control: short-term gain', (30000, 10000, 5000, 'single'), 456800),
  ('control: short loss offsets long', (100000, -8000, 20000, 'mfj'), 1390600),
  ('control: long loss offsets short', (80000, 12000, -4000, 'single'), 1441300)],
 [('regression loss-limit 1', (524248, -16451, -3000, 'single'), 15281155),
  ('regression loss-limit 2', (10000, -1500, -3000, 'single'), 70000),
  ('partial repair guard 1', (200000, -1500, -3000, 'single'), 4072650),
  ('partial repair guard 2', (40000, -14459, -3000, 'single'), 420800),
  ('control: long loss offsets short', (80000, 12000, -4000, 'single'), 1441300),
  ('control: big loss capped', (2000, -9000, -1000, 'mfj'), 0),
  ('control: stacked partly in zero band', (40000, 0, 20000, 'single'), 651425),
  ('control: gain only', (0, 0, 50000, 'single'), 44625)],
 [('regression loss-limit 1', (90000, -8000, 0, 'single'), 1419300),
  ('regression loss-limit 2', (200000, -10458, 0, 'single'), 4072650),
  ('partial repair guard 1', (200000, 0, -3000, 'mfj'), 3344600),
  ('partial repair guard 2', (200000, 0, -3000, 'single'), 4072650),
  ('control: gain only', (0, 0, 50000, 'single'), 44625),
  ('control: net capital loss', (60000, -5000, 1000, 'single'), 759300),
  ('control: high mfj', (500000, 0, 100000, 'mfj'), 13156200),
  ('control: short-term gain', (30000, 10000, 5000, 'single'), 456800)],
 [('regression loss-limit 1', (200000, -1500, -3000, 'single'), 4072650),
  ('regression loss-limit 2', (40000, -14459, -3000, 'single'), 420800),
  ('partial repair guard 1', (0, 0, -3000, 'single'), 0),
  ('partial repair guard 2', (29587, -1500, -3000, 'single'), 295844),
  ('control: short-term gain', (30000, 10000, 5000, 'single'), 456800),
  ('control: short loss offsets long', (100000, -8000, 20000, 'mfj'), 1390600),
  ('control: long loss offsets short', (80000, 12000, -4000, 'single'), 1441300),
  ('control: big loss capped', (2000, -9000, -1000, 'mfj'), 0)]]
for label, args, expected in cases[N - 1]:
    check(label, solve(*args), expected)
print(json.dumps({"observations": observations, "passed": all(x["passed"] for x in observations)}, ensure_ascii=False))
raise SystemExit(0 if all(x["passed"] for x in observations) else 1)
Boundary fixtureActualExpectedOutcome
regression loss-limit 1605300759300Failed
regression loss-limit 2737300759300Failed
partial repair guard 21293995013219950Failed
control: stacked partly in zero band651425651425Passed
control: gain only4462544625Passed
control: high mfj1315620013156200Passed
control: short-term gain456800456800Passed

SHA-256 / 2105a49a1d9b32bff663abb2ee1e19152a5c795ad2f7858d7b3fab0f92f60b80

2 / The unsuccessful fix

Exit 1
"""Failure Map reference implementation. Python standard library only."""
import json
from fractions import Fraction
N = 1
observations = []
def solve(ordinary, stcg, ltcg, status):
    def prog(x, br):
        tax, lower = Fraction(0), 0
        for upper, rate in br:
            top = x if upper is None else min(x, upper)
            if top > lower: tax += (top - lower) * Fraction(rate) / 100
            if upper is None or x <= upper: break
            lower = upper
        return tax
    def cents(v):
        v = v * 100
        return int(v + Fraction(1, 2)) if v >= 0 else -int(-v + Fraction(1, 2))
    
    brs = {'single': [[11600, '10'], [47150, '12'], [100525, '22'], [191950, '24'], [243725, '32'], [609350, '35'], [None, '37']], 'mfj': [[23200, '10'], [94300, '12'], [201050, '22'], [383900, '24'], [487450, '32'], [731200, '35'], [None, '37']]}
    bands = {'single': (47025, 518900), 'mfj': (94050, 583750)}
    t1, t2 = bands[status]
    st, lt = stcg, ltcg
    if st + lt < 0:
        ord_inc, pref = max(0, ordinary - min(3000, max(0, -st)) + min(3000, max(0, -lt))), 0
    else:
        if st < 0: lt, st = lt + st, 0
        if lt < 0: st, lt = st + lt, 0
        ord_inc, pref = ordinary + st, lt
    lo, hi = ord_inc, ord_inc + pref
    fifteen = max(0, min(hi, t2) - max(lo, t1))
    twenty = max(0, hi - max(lo, t2))
    tax = prog(ord_inc, brs[status]) + Fraction(15, 100) * fifteen + Fraction(20, 100) * twenty
    return cents(tax)
def check(label, actual, expected):
    observations.append({"check": label, "actual": actual, "expected": expected, "passed": actual == expected})
cases = [[('regression loss-limit 1', (60000, -5000, -5000, 'single'), 759300),
  ('regression loss-limit 2', (60000, -5000, 1000, 'single'), 759300),
  ('partial repair guard 2', (550000, -8000, -3000, 'mfj'), 13219950),
  ('control: stacked partly in zero band', (40000, 0, 20000, 'single'), 651425),
  ('control: gain only', (0, 0, 50000, 'single'), 44625), ('control: high mfj', (500000, 0, 100000, 'mfj'), 13156200),
  ('control: short-term gain', (30000, 10000, 5000, 'single'), 456800)],
 [('regression loss-limit 1', (550000, -8000, -3000, 'mfj'), 13219950),
  ('regression loss-limit 2', (10000, -8000, 0, 'single'), 70000),
  ('partial repair guard 1', (524248, -16451, -3000, 'single'), 15281155),
  ('partial repair guard 2', (10000, -1500, -3000, 'single'), 70000),
  ('control: high mfj', (500000, 0, 100000, 'mfj'), 13156200),
  ('control: short-term gain', (30000, 10000, 5000, 'single'), 456800),
  ('control: short loss offsets long', (100000, -8000, 20000, 'mfj'), 1390600),
  ('control: long loss offsets short', (80000, 12000, -4000, 'single'), 1441300)],
 [('regression loss-limit 1', (524248, -16451, -3000, 'single'), 15281155),
  ('regression loss-limit 2', (10000, -1500, -3000, 'single'), 70000),
  ('partial repair guard 1', (200000, -1500, -3000, 'single'), 4072650),
  ('partial repair guard 2', (40000, -14459, -3000, 'single'), 420800),
  ('control: long loss offsets short', (80000, 12000, -4000, 'single'), 1441300),
  ('control: big loss capped', (2000, -9000, -1000, 'mfj'), 0),
  ('control: stacked partly in zero band', (40000, 0, 20000, 'single'), 651425),
  ('control: gain only', (0, 0, 50000, 'single'), 44625)],
 [('regression loss-limit 1', (90000, -8000, 0, 'single'), 1419300),
  ('regression loss-limit 2', (200000, -10458, 0, 'single'), 4072650),
  ('partial repair guard 1', (200000, 0, -3000, 'mfj'), 3344600),
  ('partial repair guard 2', (200000, 0, -3000, 'single'), 4072650),
  ('control: gain only', (0, 0, 50000, 'single'), 44625),
  ('control: net capital loss', (60000, -5000, 1000, 'single'), 759300),
  ('control: high mfj', (500000, 0, 100000, 'mfj'), 13156200),
  ('control: short-term gain', (30000, 10000, 5000, 'single'), 456800)],
 [('regression loss-limit 1', (200000, -1500, -3000, 'single'), 4072650),
  ('regression loss-limit 2', (40000, -14459, -3000, 'single'), 420800),
  ('partial repair guard 1', (0, 0, -3000, 'single'), 0),
  ('partial repair guard 2', (29587, -1500, -3000, 'single'), 295844),
  ('control: short-term gain', (30000, 10000, 5000, 'single'), 456800),
  ('control: short loss offsets long', (100000, -8000, 20000, 'mfj'), 1390600),
  ('control: long loss offsets short', (80000, 12000, -4000, 'single'), 1441300),
  ('control: big loss capped', (2000, -9000, -1000, 'mfj'), 0)]]
for label, args, expected in cases[N - 1]:
    check(label, solve(*args), expected)
print(json.dumps({"observations": observations, "passed": all(x["passed"] for x in observations)}, ensure_ascii=False))
raise SystemExit(0 if all(x["passed"] for x in observations) else 1)
Boundary fixtureActualExpectedOutcome
regression loss-limit 1825300759300Failed
regression loss-limit 2759300759300Passed
partial repair guard 21332495013219950Failed
control: stacked partly in zero band651425651425Passed
control: gain only4462544625Passed
control: high mfj1315620013156200Passed
control: short-term gain456800456800Passed

SHA-256 / c7b5e39721d0c261e42fde570032214ac0b49643fbe1116d181f21413afcb5f8

3 / The verified repair

Exit 0
"""Failure Map reference implementation. Python standard library only."""
import json
from fractions import Fraction
N = 1
observations = []
def solve(ordinary, stcg, ltcg, status):
    def prog(x, br):
        tax, lower = Fraction(0), 0
        for upper, rate in br:
            top = x if upper is None else min(x, upper)
            if top > lower: tax += (top - lower) * Fraction(rate) / 100
            if upper is None or x <= upper: break
            lower = upper
        return tax
    def cents(v):
        v = v * 100
        return int(v + Fraction(1, 2)) if v >= 0 else -int(-v + Fraction(1, 2))
    
    brs = {'single': [[11600, '10'], [47150, '12'], [100525, '22'], [191950, '24'], [243725, '32'], [609350, '35'], [None, '37']], 'mfj': [[23200, '10'], [94300, '12'], [201050, '22'], [383900, '24'], [487450, '32'], [731200, '35'], [None, '37']]}
    bands = {'single': (47025, 518900), 'mfj': (94050, 583750)}
    t1, t2 = bands[status]
    st, lt = stcg, ltcg
    if st + lt < 0:
        ord_inc, pref = max(0, ordinary - min(3000, -(st + lt))), 0
    else:
        if st < 0: lt, st = lt + st, 0
        if lt < 0: st, lt = st + lt, 0
        ord_inc, pref = ordinary + st, lt
    lo, hi = ord_inc, ord_inc + pref
    fifteen = max(0, min(hi, t2) - max(lo, t1))
    twenty = max(0, hi - max(lo, t2))
    tax = prog(ord_inc, brs[status]) + Fraction(15, 100) * fifteen + Fraction(20, 100) * twenty
    return cents(tax)
def check(label, actual, expected):
    observations.append({"check": label, "actual": actual, "expected": expected, "passed": actual == expected})
cases = [[('regression loss-limit 1', (60000, -5000, -5000, 'single'), 759300),
  ('regression loss-limit 2', (60000, -5000, 1000, 'single'), 759300),
  ('partial repair guard 2', (550000, -8000, -3000, 'mfj'), 13219950),
  ('control: stacked partly in zero band', (40000, 0, 20000, 'single'), 651425),
  ('control: gain only', (0, 0, 50000, 'single'), 44625), ('control: high mfj', (500000, 0, 100000, 'mfj'), 13156200),
  ('control: short-term gain', (30000, 10000, 5000, 'single'), 456800)],
 [('regression loss-limit 1', (550000, -8000, -3000, 'mfj'), 13219950),
  ('regression loss-limit 2', (10000, -8000, 0, 'single'), 70000),
  ('partial repair guard 1', (524248, -16451, -3000, 'single'), 15281155),
  ('partial repair guard 2', (10000, -1500, -3000, 'single'), 70000),
  ('control: high mfj', (500000, 0, 100000, 'mfj'), 13156200),
  ('control: short-term gain', (30000, 10000, 5000, 'single'), 456800),
  ('control: short loss offsets long', (100000, -8000, 20000, 'mfj'), 1390600),
  ('control: long loss offsets short', (80000, 12000, -4000, 'single'), 1441300)],
 [('regression loss-limit 1', (524248, -16451, -3000, 'single'), 15281155),
  ('regression loss-limit 2', (10000, -1500, -3000, 'single'), 70000),
  ('partial repair guard 1', (200000, -1500, -3000, 'single'), 4072650),
  ('partial repair guard 2', (40000, -14459, -3000, 'single'), 420800),
  ('control: long loss offsets short', (80000, 12000, -4000, 'single'), 1441300),
  ('control: big loss capped', (2000, -9000, -1000, 'mfj'), 0),
  ('control: stacked partly in zero band', (40000, 0, 20000, 'single'), 651425),
  ('control: gain only', (0, 0, 50000, 'single'), 44625)],
 [('regression loss-limit 1', (90000, -8000, 0, 'single'), 1419300),
  ('regression loss-limit 2', (200000, -10458, 0, 'single'), 4072650),
  ('partial repair guard 1', (200000, 0, -3000, 'mfj'), 3344600),
  ('partial repair guard 2', (200000, 0, -3000, 'single'), 4072650),
  ('control: gain only', (0, 0, 50000, 'single'), 44625),
  ('control: net capital loss', (60000, -5000, 1000, 'single'), 759300),
  ('control: high mfj', (500000, 0, 100000, 'mfj'), 13156200),
  ('control: short-term gain', (30000, 10000, 5000, 'single'), 456800)],
 [('regression loss-limit 1', (200000, -1500, -3000, 'single'), 4072650),
  ('regression loss-limit 2', (40000, -14459, -3000, 'single'), 420800),
  ('partial repair guard 1', (0, 0, -3000, 'single'), 0),
  ('partial repair guard 2', (29587, -1500, -3000, 'single'), 295844),
  ('control: short-term gain', (30000, 10000, 5000, 'single'), 456800),
  ('control: short loss offsets long', (100000, -8000, 20000, 'mfj'), 1390600),
  ('control: long loss offsets short', (80000, 12000, -4000, 'single'), 1441300),
  ('control: big loss capped', (2000, -9000, -1000, 'mfj'), 0)]]
for label, args, expected in cases[N - 1]:
    check(label, solve(*args), expected)
print(json.dumps({"observations": observations, "passed": all(x["passed"] for x in observations)}, ensure_ascii=False))
raise SystemExit(0 if all(x["passed"] for x in observations) else 1)
Boundary fixtureActualExpectedOutcome
regression loss-limit 1759300759300Passed
regression loss-limit 2759300759300Passed
partial repair guard 21321995013219950Passed
control: stacked partly in zero band651425651425Passed
control: gain only4462544625Passed
control: high mfj1315620013156200Passed
control: short-term gain456800456800Passed

SHA-256 / bb5817d1aa71acd079a42812e03bcb81eee7ec69377a4c6f3527a44314747c63

Verification & scope

A deterministic, bounded teaching model with a stipulated toy contract; it makes no claim of conformance to any real regulation, standard, or institution's rules. This reproducer isolates one failure mechanism. Results cover the supplied fixtures. Variants within a family share a test contract and should remain grouped when constructing evaluation splits. Related mechanisms with a shared evaluation_group must also remain together; these controlled models are not independent production incidents.

Observations recorded using Python 3.12.14 at 2026-09-29T14:47:04.653404+00:00.

Case digest / c72cd95c8c3f93406b6a99d3902911af7e87b9cdba9857c60265134aacf43daa