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RSU Cost Basis and Loss Harvesting?

Hello, 

 

I received 100 RSUs from my employer. I was awarded with more (can't recall how many), but I only received 100 when they vested, meaning I was taxed with a portion of the total RSUs I was originally rewarded with.

 

According to E-trade, these RSUs were acquired at a price of $55, and today the stock is worth $50. RSUs were vested this year, thus they are short-term. My plan was to hold these RSUs for 1+ year to be taxed as long term capital gains, however, if I use the estimated cost basis, these RSU are actually unrealized losses. Therefore, there's no benefit in keeping them any longer for tax avoidance purposes as I don't believe the stock will reach $55+ by the time the become long-term capital gains. I'd rather sell them ASAP and take the losses to offset some other capital gains I had earlier this year.

 

So, these are my questions I'd love your help with:

 

1. Is the "estimated cost basis" that I see on E-trade the actual cost basis? Why it says estimated?

2. Is there a way I can find out the cost basis myself?

3. If cost basis is actually $55 and the stock is trading ay $50, can I use those $500 of losses to offset capital gains from other stocks?

 

Thank you in advance!

 

PS: numbers were rounded up to ease calculations

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1 Reply
TomD8
Level 15

RSU Cost Basis and Loss Harvesting?

Your actual per-share cost basis in the RSU's is the compensation created by the vesting (which is reported on your W-2) divided by the gross number of shares you received - not the net shares you received after shares were sold or withheld for taxes.

 

Yes, if you incur a capital loss when you sell the shares, you may use it to offset your capital gains.

**Answers are correct to the best of my ability but do not constitute tax or legal advice.

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