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    IRS Form 1099-B

    Form 1099-B: Proceeds from Broker and Barter Exchange Transactions

    Report proceeds from sales of stocks, bonds, commodities, and other securities through brokers.

    Filing Deadline

    February 15 (to customer)

    IRS Deadline

    February 28 (paper) or March 31 (e-file)

    Payers

    Brokers, barter exchanges

    Overview

    Form 1099-B is used by brokers and barter exchanges to report sales of stocks, bonds, commodities, futures contracts, and other securities. The form reports gross proceeds from the sale and, for covered securities, the cost basis and gain/loss information.

    Brokers must report whether securities are covered (basis reporting required) or noncovered. For covered securities acquired after specific dates, brokers must report the cost basis, allowing the IRS to verify capital gains reporting.

    Who Must File

    Required Filers

    • Stock brokers and brokerage firms
    • Barter exchanges
    • Businesses that buy and sell securities for customers
    • Cooperatives that sell patronage dividends

    Form Structure & Instructions

    Here's what information is required in each section:

    Transaction Details

    Information about each sale or exchange

    Box 1a
    Date Sold
    Date the security was sold or exchanged
    Box 1b
    Date Acquired
    Date the security was acquired (for covered securities)
    Box 1c
    Sale Price
    Gross proceeds from the sale
    Box 1d
    Cost or Other Basis
    Original cost basis (for covered securities)
    Box 1e
    Wash Sale Loss Disallowed
    Amount of loss disallowed due to wash sale rules
    Box 1f
    Realized Gain/Loss
    Short-term or long-term gain or loss
    Box 2
    Short-term or Long-term
    Indicates holding period for capital gain classification
    Box 3
    Check if Basis Reported to IRS
    Indicates if this is a covered security
    Box 5
    Description
    Description of the security sold

    Important Filing Notes

    Covered vs. Noncovered

    Covered securities have cost basis reported to IRS. Stocks acquired after 2011, mutual funds after 2012, and bonds/options after 2014 are typically covered.

    Wash Sale Rules

    Box 1e shows losses disallowed under wash sale rules (buying substantially identical security within 30 days before or after sale). Disallowed loss is added to basis of replacement security.

    Early Deadline for Customers

    Brokers must furnish Form 1099-B to customers by February 15, earlier than most other 1099 forms, to give taxpayers time to prepare returns.

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