How do I find a stock's cost basis? (2024)

FAQs

How do I find a stock's cost basis? ›

Take the original investment amount ($10,000) and divide it by the new number of shares you hold (2,000 shares) to arrive at the new per-share cost basis ($10,000 ÷ 2,000 = $5.00). Take your previous cost basis per share ($10) and divide it by the split factor of 2:1 ($10.00 ÷ 2 = $5.00).

This information is usually provided on a confirmation statement sent to you by your brokerage firm after you purchase a security. You're responsible for reporting your cost basis information accurately to the IRS, in most cases by filling out Form 8949.

To calculate the equity cost basis for a non-dividend-paying stock, you add the purchase price per share plus fees per share. Reinvesting dividends increases the cost basis of the holding because dividends are used to buy more shares.

The IRS expects taxpayers to keep the original documentation for capital assets, such as real estate and investments. It uses these documents, along with third-party records, bank statements and published market data, to verify the cost basis of assets.

The Form 1099-B that you receive might only report the sale date and sales proceeds. If it does not report the date acquired or cost basis, you still need to enter that information when you report your Form 1099-B in the TaxAct program so that it will transfer to Schedule D and/or Form 8949.

If the cost basis information that is reported on your Form 1099-B is incorrect, you can report a correction to the IRS using Form 8949.

When the basis for an asset is not established at the time of sale, it means that there is no documented record of the original cost or value of the asset. In such a scenario, the IRS typically assumes a basis of $0. This implies that the entire amount received from the sale is considered as gain, subject to taxation.

What is the average cost basis of a stock? ›

The average cost basis method is commonly used by investors for mutual fund tax reporting. A cost basis method is reported with the brokerage firm where the assets are held. The average cost is calculated by dividing the total amount in dollars invested in a mutual fund position by the number of shares owned.

Average Cost

This method of calculating cost basis is permitted for mutual funds only and cannot be used to calculate cost basis for individual securities such as stocks and bonds.

The Cost Basis Calculator automatically calculates the cost basis and number of shares held for requested securities. It covers complex factors like mergers, spin-offs, voluntary events, and dividend reinvestments. The calculator includes information on stock dividends and mutual fund distributions back to 1971.

If you do not report your cost basis to the IRS, the IRS considers your securities to have been sold at a 100% capital gain, which can result in a higher tax liability.

It's important to understand both of these terms because they both affect your net worth and overall financial health. Balance is what you have now, while cost basis helps determine your potential future profits or losses.

How can we help? The Form 1099-B that you receive might only report the sale date and sales proceeds. If it does not report the date acquired or cost basis, you still need to enter that information when you report your Form 1099-B in the TaxAct program so that it will transfer to Schedule D and/or Form 8949.

The simplest way to keep track of your cost basis is to note the amount of dividends on which you're taxed from year to year. By adding those amounts to what you originally paid for shares, you'll accurately reflect your total cost basis for the position.

Traders who sell securities purchased prior to the dates listed above may not see cost basis information included on their 1099-B, or it may be incomplete. This doesn't mean the non-covered cost basis isn't reportable; rather, it's not required to be reported by a broker to the IRS.