turbotax icon
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Announcements
Close icon
Do you have a TurboTax Online account?

We'll help you get started or pick up where you left off.

rena7
New Member

RSU shares sold to cover taxes only - 2024 TurboTax prompts

I'm entering the RSU sales listed on my 1099-B form.  Because I'm not sure if the cost basis reported is actually correct, I decide to check the box that says "The cost basis is incorrect or missing on my 1099‑B". That leads me through a series of guided prompts. Then on the screen titled "Tell us about your RSU sale", the instructions say this:
"Make sure you only enter the portion of the shares you sold. Your RSU sale will include a portion of shares sold and a portion of shares traded to pay for the taxes withheld. We'll ask about the shares traded for taxes later."

 

In this particular transaction that was reported on my 1099-B, 17 total shares were vested/released and 9 shares were sold automatically to cover taxes, but I did not sell any shares myself. The online form won't allow me to enter 0 in the "Number of shares sold" box. So instead I try to enter the number that was sold for taxes, 9, which seems to be not following what the instructions said, but like I mentioned it won't let me enter 0. 

 

After that, I'm taken to a screen title "Let's get some purchase info about this RSU sale" where I enter the "Total shares vested/released" (17) and "Shares withheld (traded) to pay taxes" (9) and submit the form to continue. I'm getting error notices on the following pages indicating that I haven't entered enough shares, which makes sense because the system thinks I sold 8 shares (17 minus 9 = 8), but on the very first screen I had entered 9. 

Long story short, what is the correct way for me to fill out these prompts accurately? I don't want to get taxed on shares I haven't sold yet. 

x
Do you have an Intuit account?

Do you have an Intuit account?

You'll need to sign in or create an account to connect with an expert.

1 Reply
KrisD15
Employee Tax Expert

RSU shares sold to cover taxes only - 2024 TurboTax prompts

To clarify, when you say 17 vested/released do you mean sold or vested? 

If only vested, the income those shares represent will be included as income on your W-2. They would not be reported on 1099-B.

 

If this is the case, the value included as income is the basis of the stock when you sell in the future. (also the value for the stock which was immediately sold) Often the employer will list the value in Box 14 on your W-2. 

 

If shares were sold immediately to cover the taxes on the vested shares, only the shares sold would be reported as income. 

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

Get more help

Ask questions and learn more about your taxes and finances.

Post your Question