@vpeppen
You just articulated exactly what I was thinking. Sure, I can adjust the numbers to make the "end result" appear the same, but how would that look as a defense in an audit?
IRS Agent: why did you reverse the numbers, adding a zero to one section, and reversing the negative sign on another section for 200+ option positions/entries?
Me: I was advised that IRS no longer accepts negative numbers on the cost basis portion and to adjust 200+ entries so that the software program would accept it and just e-file my returns. what's the harm? it's the same end result anyways.
IRS Agent: ...
I'm not a CPA nor an IRS agent, but I just can't imagine that conversation going over very well. Moreover, am I the only one who just prefers to file everything in a neat and tidy order? Or, does everyone just want to cram in bunch of documents and numbers to get their taxes over with?
