Cash in lieu of fractional shares after a reverse stock split

[Learner1]

I received a $11.30 check after my stock (a mortgage REIT) did a 1-for-4 reverse stock split (as I understand it). The REIT’s trust company mailed me a paper Transaction Advice “as a result of the automatic corporate action processing of 3,[removed] shares of COMMON STOCK..” (I tore off my check from the bottom.) Where & how do I enter this in TurboTax? And do I have to enter a “basis? The paper Transaction Advice doesn’t show any.

[cortbenn]

The cost basis would be whatever you paid for the 3 shares that didn't get converted in the reverse stock split.

If you bought all the shares at one time, then it is just 3 times the stock purchase price.

If you bought shares at different times, then it can get a little complicated. You can choose to use the price of the first 3 shares, the last 3 shares or use cost averaging to determine cost basis.

It is equivalent to selling 3 shares for $11.30 before the reverse split.

If and when you sell the remaining shares, you will need to calculate the remaining cost basis by subtracting the cost you used for the 3 removed shares. 

I hope that helps.

[Learner1]

Hi Cortbenn,

   I have to follow up by saying: it was actually 3,434 shares that were processed, but TurboTax covered up/removed the 434 numbers —I presume to protect my privacy. As I recall, I bought those shares over a period of years at various prices. Where in the TurboTax program should I enter this information?