Tax reporting: Detailed Information about Forms 1099
Detailed explanations of Forms 1099 may be found on our website under the US Persons and Entities tab. In addition, refer to instructions included with the specific Form 1099 on the IRS website.
Circular 230 Notice: These statements are provided for information purposes only, are not intended to constitute tax advice which may be relied upon to avoid penalties under any federal, state, local or other tax statutes or regulations, and do not resolve any tax issues in your favor.
Tax Reporting: Form 1099 Information
Yes. IBKR provides the same information reported to you from your IBKR accounts on Form 1099 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
In compliance with Treasury Department Circular 230, unless stated to the contrary, any information contained in this FAQ was not intended or written to be used and cannot be used for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on any taxpayer.
Tax Reporting: Form 1099 for an Amount Received from a Deceased or Divorced Person's Account
If assets are transferred from an IRA or other qualified plan due to divorce, or you receive inherited IRA distributions due to a death, the IRS requires that you report these amounts.
In compliance with Treasury Department Circular 230, unless stated to the contrary, any information contained in this FAQ was not intended or written to be used and cannot be used for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on any taxpayer.
Tax Reporting: When a foreign security is sold, how does IBKR apply a currency exchange rate?
If the proceeds of a sale are paid in foreign currency, IBKR must convert the amount to be reported into US dollars. Generally, IBKR converts the foreign currency on the payment date at the spot rate or by following a reasonable spot rate convention, for example a month-end spot rate or monthly average spot rate. Your Activity Statements reflect the spot rate at the end of the applicable month or year depending upon the statement you are viewing. Interest or dividend payments are converted at the spot rate on day of payment for purposes of Form 1099 reporting.
In compliance with Treasury Department Circular 230, unless stated to the contrary, any information contained in this FAQ was not intended or written to be used and cannot be used for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on any taxpayer.
Tax Reporting: Bond Sale Transactions that Occur in December but Settle in January
As proceeds are reported on a trade date basis a sale is reportable in the year it is executed not settled. In the case of bond sales which take place in December but which do not settle until the following year, the sale proceeds will be reported in the year of the trade, and accrued interest, if any, will be reported included in the following year’s 1099-INT, when the funds are received in your account.
In compliance with Treasury Department Circular 230, unless stated to the contrary, any information contained in this FAQ was not intended or written to be used and cannot be used for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on any taxpayer.
Tax Reporting: Are short sales included in gross proceeds on Form 1099-B?
Yes. Proceeds related to short sales of securities are reported on a trade-date basis in the current year the trade is executed and not the year the sale is covered. Short sales of options are not reported. Rules that apply to short sales are complex. Refer to IRS Publication 550, Investment Income and Expenses, and consult your tax advisor for more information on reporting short sales.
In compliance with Treasury Department Circular 230, unless stated to the contrary, any information contained in this FAQ was not intended or written to be used and cannot be used for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on any taxpayer.
Tax Reporting: Equity and Index Options Transactions
Equity options and equity index options are options to buy or sell stock valued by reference to an equity or narrow-based security index. Proceeds from the sale of equity options, both puts and calls (options that entitle the purchaser to sell or buy equity shares) and equity index options are not required to be reported on Form 1099. However, proceeds associated with the exercise and assignment of equity options is reportable on Form 1099-B. Please consult your tax advisor for additional information and guidance in this area.
In compliance with Treasury Department Circular 230, unless stated to the contrary, any information contained in this FAQ was not intended or written to be used and cannot be used for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on any taxpayer.
Tax Reporting: Does IBKR support Average Cost method for calculating cost basis?
No. Average cost strictly applies to mutual funds and dividend reinvestment plans and cannot be used to calculate cost basis for individual securities.
In compliance with Treasury Department Circular 230, unless stated to the contrary, any information contained in this FAQ was not intended or written to be used and cannot be used for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on any taxpayer.
Tax Reporting: How often may I change the tax basis method on my account?
You may change the tax basis methodology at any time by logging into Account Management and accessing the Tax Basis Declaration page in the Report Management menu. When you change the Tax Basis Declaration, the new methodology applies to trades made after the change; it does not affect existing trades.
By default, the tax basis methodology is set to First In, First Out (FIFO). Choose from First In, First Out (FIFO), Last In, First Out (LIFO), or Maximize Losses (ML). The tax basis declaration will appear in the Code column on your Activity Statement for trades where a methodology other than FIFO has been applied.
In compliance with Treasury Department Circular 230, unless stated to the contrary, any information contained in this FAQ was not intended or written to be used and cannot be used for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on any taxpayer.
Tax Reporting: What is the difference between FIFO and LIFO cost basis methods?
FIFO is the default accounting method used by the IRS for most taxpayers, unless another method is chosen prior to the sale of a security. FIFO cost basis method assumes the first shares you sell are matched with the first shares you purchased. LIFO assumes the first shares you sell are matched with the shares you purchased last. IBKR allows you to change the tax basis on your account but defaults to FIFO for assets sold from your account. See FAQ: How often may I change the tax basis method on my account?
In compliance with Treasury Department Circular 230, unless stated to the contrary, any information contained in this FAQ was not intended or written to be used and cannot be used for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on any taxpayer.
