I received stock as incentive from my employer, will there be a cost basis?

[tchmath]

Is there a cost basis for stock you receive free from the company you work for?

[DavidD66]

Yes, there is a cost basis.  Your employer should have included the value of the stock on the day you received it in your taxable income. That amount will be included in box 1 of your W-2 for the year you received it.  Your employer may have noted the amount in box 14 of your W-2.  Since you have/will pay tax on the value, your cost basis is that value.  

[tchmath]

If I don’t have the W2 for that tax year, is there another way to figure out the cost basis?

[AmyC]

Reach out to your employer or payroll company to see if you can get a copy. If you happened to mail your w2 to the IRS that year, you can pay them for a copy.

If you can't show a basis, the IRS values it as zero so you pay tax on the full amount.

I want to urge you to create a financial notebook that is kept separate from your tax return. Keep it safe and each year, add your year-end statements from all your financial accounts plus a copy of your W2’s, your  carryover information, and proof of your basis in your various investments. You must keep tax records  from the time you purchase until sold/ loss used plus 3 years. It is very easy to lose track of disallowed losses, carryforwards,  and basis.

This can be a digital or paper notebook.