Final answer:
Albert's realizable loss in 2023 is $40,000, which is the difference between the purchase price of the land ($140,000) and its value after the cancellation of the highway project ($100,000).
Step-by-step explanation:
Albert purchased land for $140,000 in 2020, expecting its value to rise due to the construction of a highway. The potential valuation reached $180,000 after a survey by highway engineers. However, the highway project was canceled in 2023, which resulted in the land's value dropping to $100,000.
The amount of loss Albert can claim in 2023 is based on the difference between the purchase price and the current value of the land. Therefore, Albert's loss is calculated as $140,000 (purchase price) - $100,000 (value in 2023) = $40,000.