Thank you @NCperson that adds some helpful information. It appears that my cost basis might be lowered (a bad thing) if I take a distribution now? For instance, say I invested $20,000 in 2009. Now it’s assessed at $5000 today at the time of removal from my IRA (creating a distribution event). My basis would be lower, thus increasing my capital gains. Say it sells at $15000 in a few years; Ordinarily, that would be a loss (15k - 20k = -5k). But if I have to reassess my basis, it could appear to be a gain of 10k (15k - 5k = 10k). Yikes. Am I interpreting this correctly?
