
You can calculate the original price per share of the stock from the company's equity, and the number of shares it issued before the dilution. Multiply the stock's price by the total number of the firm's outstanding shares. For example, if the stock's current price is $150, and the company has issued 1,200 shares: $150 × 1,200 = $180,000.
How do you calculate the original price of a stock?
You can calculate the original price per share of the stock from the company's equity, and the number of shares it issued before the dilution. Multiply the stock's price by the total number of the firm's outstanding shares.
How do I find out when a stock was sold?
Troy Lewis, a CPA based in Draper, Utah, suggests asking the selling broker to search records for clues. Check prior-year tax documents for sales of the same stock, reflecting an acquisition date. Another way to track down the date: If the investment was a gift, perhaps a relative got the same gift and has records that show a purchase date.
How do you determine cost basis when selling stocks?
The first step to figuring out your cost basis is to determine when your shares were purchased. That can be tricky, especially if it was a long time ago or if the stock was a gift or came in the form of an employer stock grant. Troy Lewis, a CPA based in Draper, Utah, suggests asking the selling broker to search records for clues.
Where can I find old stock price data?
Most online providers keep 50 years of old stock price data online. You might need to contact the company issuing the stock if you need older stock prices. Based in St. Petersburg, Fla., Karen Rogers covers the financial markets for several online publications.

How do I find the original cost basis of a stock?
You can calculate your cost basis per share in two ways: 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).
What is the original cost of a stock?
Typically, when you purchase shares of stock, the cost basis is simply the price you paid for each share. Say you purchased 10 shares of XYZ for $100 per share in a taxable brokerage account. The total cost would be $1,000, and your cost basis for each individual share would be $100.
What do you do if you don't know the cost basis of a stock?
First of all, you should really dig through all your records to try and find the brokerage statements that have your actual cost basis. Try the brokerage firm's website to see if they have that data or call them to see if it can be provided.
How do you calculate the actual price of a stock?
To figure out how valuable the shares are for traders, take the last updated value of the company share and multiply it by outstanding shares. Another method to calculate the price of the share is the price to earnings ratio.
Do I have to pay tax on stocks if I sell and reinvest?
Q: Do I have to pay tax on stocks if I sell and reinvest? A: Yes. Selling and reinvesting your funds doesn't make you exempt from tax liability. If you are actively selling and reinvesting, however, you may want to consider long-term investments.
How does the IRS know your cost basis?
You usually get this information on the confirmation statement that the broker sends you after you have purchased a security. You—the taxpayer—are responsible for reporting your cost basis information accurately to the IRS. You do this in most cases by filling out Form 8949.
Why is some cost basis not reported to IRS?
Short Term sales with cost basis not reported to the IRS means that they and probably you did not have the cost information listed on your Form 1099-B.
What is the penalty for not reporting capital gains?
The penalty is based on the tax not paid by the due date (without regard to extensions). If you file your return more than 60 days after the due date, the minimum penalty is $100 or, if less, 100 percent of the tax on your return.
How to calculate cost basis per share?
If the company splits its shares, this will affect your cost basis per share, but not the actual value of the original investment or the current investment. Continuing with the above example, suppose the company issues a 2:1 stock split where one old share gets you two new shares. You can calculate your cost basis per share in two ways: 1 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). 2 Take your previous cost basis per share ($10) and divide it by the split factor of 2:1 ($10.00/2 = $5).
What factors affect the cost basis of a stock?
A variety of factors affect the cost basis of a stock, including commissions, stock splits, capital distributions, and dividends. Several issues that come up when numerous investments in the same stock have been made over time and at different price points; if you can't identify the exact shares sold, you use the first in, ...
What to do if your cost basis is unclear?
If your true cost basis is unclear, please consult a financial advisor, accountant or tax lawyer.
What is cost basis?
The cost basis of any investment is the original value of an asset adjusted for stock splits, dividends, and capital distributions. It is used to calculate the capital gain or loss on an investment after it's been sold, for tax purposes.
