Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) from 1980's. No cost basis shown in Box 5, 1099-B.

[drkatt]

Last year I sold all shares I got from an ESOP program with GE.  I have had these shares since I quit the company in the 1980's.  Cost basis is listed on partial shares that were dividends since 2011, but a significant amount is shown in Box 5 as Non-covered securities with no cost basis shown.   Must I report all this income from sales and show zero basis?  This results in significant tax.

[DavidD66]

You have to report something for the cost basis, and zero is an option.  If you can't determine a cost basis, or at least determine the minimum cost basis it could be, zero is really your only option.  I recommend you contact GE Investor Relations (you can get their contact information online) and/or the human resources department to request some help in determining your cost basis.