Thank you for the reply. I agree completely; however, the investment company that holds my accounts recently decided to change the date acquired to be the trade date. The following is a real transaction. I sold shares of Company A on Dec 28th of 2017 to include yy shares which were obtained as a reinvested dividend on Dec 30, 2016 (the dividend payable date). Those shares were part of bulk trades made on Dec 27, 2016 by the investment company in the course of their dividend reinvestment program so that their settlement would occur and the shares would be available to credit my (and others) accounts on Dec 30. I assume those shares would be a short term capital gain however, the 1099 B classified it as long term because it used the Dec 27, 2016 trade date and not the Dec 30th dividend date when I received the dividend and the shares. Sorry it is so wordy but precision in terminology is important in this situation.
You and I are applying logic. How would you suggest getting a definitive interpretation. I should add the investment company refuses to answer why they changed. The IRS Pubs I have looked at suggest if you don't know when you acquired the stock, consult your 1099B.
