DianeW777
Expert Alumni

Get your taxes done using TurboTax

Yes, you must enter the W-2 received in 2020 from your previous employer. It sounds like, based on your comments, that what is being reported is required for the difference in the option price and the fair market value (FMV) on the date of exercise.  This is normal practice for employee stock purchase plans (ESPP)

 

This amount should also be added to the cost basis of these same shares when they are sold.  If the sale of your ESPP shares was these same shares then by adding this additional W-2 income with the reduced amount you purchased the stock for this would create no increase to your income overall.  The cost basis increase is allowed because it is money you are taxed on.

 

Your broker statement does not usually include the taxable wage portion to your cost basis which is why you must add this to your cost when you enter the sale of the ESPP shares. Based on the holding period you would use long term and receive capital gain tax treatment.

**Say "Thanks" by clicking the thumb icon in a post
**Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer"