you can't use average cost if you don't know the cost of all the shares you hold. you are left with specific identification. if you sell notify the broker which shares you are selling
Specific share identification. If you adequately identify
the shares you sold, you can use the adjusted basis of
those particular shares to figure your gain or loss.
You will adequately identify your mutual fund shares,
even if you bought the shares in different lots at various
prices and times, if you:
1. Specify to your broker or other agent the particular
shares to be sold or transferred at the time of the sale
or transfer, and
2. Receive confirmation in writing from your broker or
other agent within a reasonable time of your specifica
tion of the particular shares sold or transferred.
You continue to have the burden of proving your basis
in the specified shares at the time of sale or transfer
some other things that night be useful
1) if you make cash donations, you can contribute this stock instead - (using pre 94 fifo) -which means. cost is irrelevant, you get a deduction for their FMV on the date of donation. there are rules concerning donations that must be adhered to such as getting an acknowledgement from the charity
2) this suggestion has risk because the IRS could take the position if you don't know the actual cost then it is zero. you probably know how many pre-94 shares you hold. if you know the date of the first shares purchased you may be able to use an average of the price on that day and the same thing for the last shares purchased pre-94. average the two prices and multiply by the number of pre-94 shares. Yahoo has a website where you can look up historical prices and dividend payments. if this is not feasible for lack of info you are sort of stuck with either specific identification or 1) above.
