If you inherited stock, the cost basis will depend on when you inherited it and from whom (spouse vs non-spouse.)
In general, if you inherit it before 1/1/2010, the cost basis is "stepped up" from the original cost paid by the deceased owner to the fair market value on the date it was bequeathed to you. See special rules for joint accounts, trust distributions, and inheritances after 12/31/2009, all of which are discussed below.
INHERITANCES BEFORE 2010:
Your cost basis is determined by the value declared on the estate tax return (if one was filed.) The value declared on the estate tax return will either be the fair market value per share on the date of death, or the market value six months later if the alternate valuation date is elected by the executor. Check with the executor to be sure. Get a copy of the estate tax return or a letter from the executor stating your cost per share so that you will have proof if you are audited by the IRS.
For all you first-time executors out there, please be aware that the alternate valuation date election is only available if it results in an actual reduction in the estate tax owed, according to IRC Section 2032(c). So if the total estate falls below the exemption limits, the alternate date valuation election cannot be used.
If no estate tax return was filed, use the fair market value on the date of death of the person from whom you inherited the shares. The fair market value is calculated as the average of the high and low trading prices for the date of death. If the date falls on a weekend, use the average of the Friday and Monday average trading prices.
OK, what if the executor has died and you have no idea where the estate tax return is? If you at least know the date of death, you can look up the trading ranges for that day using historical stock price resources such as BIG CHARTS or GOOGLE FINANCE. (Hint: When you use the historical stock price function, if the stock is no longer actively trading under the same stock symbol, you can try using the CUSIP number. If that does not work, ask your broker/dealer to look up the historical price by CUSIP on Bloomberg, Interactive Data, or other databases available to the brokerage community.) A large library will also often be able to provide historical prices from their archive of stock listings in daily newspapers.
Once you determine the initial cost basis per share of the stock you inherited, you then cycle back to look at corporate actions, reorganizations, and return of capital payments since the date you received the shares.
INHERITANCES DURING 2010:
The stepup rules described above are available to use after 12/31/2009 because Congress acted retroactively to amend the tax code as of 1/1/2010. You have a choice of either Method A or B for 2010 estates:
Method A - Modified Carryover Basis: (1) No estate tax will apply in calendar year 2010. (2) A new carryover basis rule goes into effect where the inherited security will be valued at the lower of the cost basis to the decedent or the market value on the date of death. (Note how the IRS will not allow tax savings from capital losses.) (3) The executor is allowed to allocate $1.3 million in basis adjustments (meaning step-up to market value) to the assets in the estate. The executor must file Form 8939 with the IRS to report how the basis is allocated. (4) The executor is also allowed to allocate up to $3 million to increase the basis of assets that are received by the surviving spouse. (5) The rest of the assets will retain a carryover basis. This means you have to figure out the decedent's cost basis--an accounting nightmare.
Method B - Stepup Basis: (1) The estate tax rules in effect before 2010 can be used with a new estate tax exemption limit of $5 million per estate and a top estate tax rate of 35%. (2) Assets receive a step-up (or step-down) in cost basis to the market value at either the date of death or the alternate valuation date, depending on which date is selected by the executor.
You must consult the executor of the estate to determine which method was elected and how the basis adjustment allowance was apportioned to the assets you inherited from an estate where the decedent passed away in 2010. Because the IRS was so late in issuing the required Form 8939, the filing date has been extended to January 17, 2012. Be sure to obtain a copy of the Form 8939 for your tax records. Click on the pdf icons to see Form 8939 and related IRS instructions.
For estates during 2011 and 2012, only Method B can be used, but the exemption limit of $5 million will be indexed for 2012. A new concept is introduced in 2011--portability of the exemption credit between spouses. Married couples will no longer have to create A/B trusts or carefully segregate account ownership in order to achieve full use of the estate tax exemptions available to both of them. However, and this is vitally important to know, the executor MUST file Form 706 on time to make the portability election, even if no estate tax is owed. Furthermore, the filing of Form 706 automatically makes the portability election and steps must be actively taken to avoid making the election if it is not wanted.
INHERITANCES DURING 2013:
The rules revert to those formerly in effect back in 2002, with an estate tax exemption limit of only $1 million and a top estate tax rate of 55%.
JOINT ACCOUNTS BEFORE 2010:
If the stock was held in a joint account or joint registration with your spouse, one-half of the stock would get a stepup at the date of death, unless you live in a community property state. If you do live in one of the nine community property states (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_property) the entire account gets a stepup to market value at the date of death, not just one-half.
If the stock was held in a joint account with someone NOT your spouse, the stepup to fair market value at the date of death applies only to the portion of the joint property contributed by the decedent (the person who died.)
JOINT ACCOUNTS DURING 2010:
The same rules apply for joint tenancy as before in determining how much of the joint tenancy property is includible in the estate. However, see the new rules above for 2010 regarding the $3,000,000 limit on the stepup available for assets left to a surviving spouse if method A is chosen, including through joint tenancy.
ADJUSTMENTS AFTER DATE OF DEATH:
Once you have determined the initial cost basis per share of the stock you inherited, you then must cycle back to look at corporate actions, reorganizations, splits, return of principal payments, etc. since the date you inherited the shares.
HOLDING PERIOD:
Your holding period is always long-term for stock that you inherit. Thus, you are eligible for long-term capital gains treatment even if you sell the stock immediately after you receive it.
INHERITANCES RECEIVED AS A DISTRIBUTION FROM A TRUST:
Please see detailed discussion of Trust Distributions on a separate page of this website.
INHERITANCES OF PFIC STOCK:
If you inherited PFIC stock such as ASA Limited, see the special rules on carryover basis when a QEF election is not in place.
