On January 1,2017 , John made a loan of \(\$ 6,000\) to his neighbor. The loan was evidenced by a written promise to repay the principal within three years and was to bear interest at a rate of \(6 \%\) per annum. John's neighbor paid interest for the first year only and then his financial condition deteriorated. In 2018, John learned that he would only be able to recover \(\$ 3,000\) of the loan. The loan was not made in the course of John's business. May John deduct \(\$ 3,000\) of the loan on his tax return?