If the Cost Basis or Holding Period (long or short term) is unknown by your broker, your 1099-B shows a Code X to indicate that.
If you can determine the Purchase Date and Cost from Transaction Statements you have received, you can enter it. You can also enter 'Various' if that applies, but the entry can't be blank.
If this was inherited, the Cost would be the value on the Date of Death, and the Purchase Date would be Date of Death.
You can also choose 'Short Term' or 'Long Term' for Box 2 if this is known to you. If not, the sale is automatically considered 'Short Term'.
If no Cost (or average cost) can be determined, enter $0 in Box 1e.
If your broker can't provide you with this information, you may be able to do a Historical Search for Cost Basis at:
http://bigcharts.marketwatch.com/symbollookup/symbollookup.asp
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