When entering manual corrections to 1099-B with errors, how do enter a gain instead of a loss when there is no choice to do so

[olwi00]

fanfare,

Appreciate you taking time to try to help me.  It isn't so easy, unfortunately.

(1)  You can't submit an Excel Spreadsheet as a substitute document in place of Form 8949.  Every CPA told me it is not an accepted "Tax Reporting Document."  Further, if I submitted it, it has so many duplicated entries & errors, the IRS would tell me I need to submit something that shows proof of figures that I can't even figure out.

(2) Further, I can't submit a summary document from this Excel total mess.  You can't summarize when there are duplicated entries throughout, and neither the Proceeds or Sales match the 1099-B.

(3)  I wish I could go to one of the big four brokerages, but 25 years ago, when my mother was alive & losing her mental faculties, she got very nasty with TDAmeritrade, Schwab, Fidelity & ETrade, & I was unfortunately on her accounts as Joint, so once a brokerage dismisses you, you can't ever create an account with them forever.  I've tried to open accounts with all of them, & was told to hit the road.

(4)  I don't trade crypto.

(5)  To hire a local CPA would cost a fortune, as they would charge by the hour from $250-$400 an hour.

[olwi00]

baldietax,

Thanks for trying to help me.

Please read my response to fanfare.  I addressed almost everything you also posted.

(1)  I don't see any choice to attach anything to a response.  Please inform me how.

(2)  I'd have to attach both my 1099-B & the Excel spreadsheet.  That's rather unsafe, as they contain personal information.

(3)   The magnitude in terms of all you listed are large - number of sales, proceeds/cost/gain and difference vs. the brokerage 1099B, especially with the duplications.  I've experimented with deleting the duplicates, but it's hard to explain how this is not only difficult & time-consuming to do, but it doesn't contain the right monetary figures - so, GARBAGE IN - GARBAGE OUT.

[baldietax]

no don't attach 1099/excel with personal info.  You can add screenshot photos to a post with the buttons above if you have something without personal info, or even just pasting text/amounts here of an example sale where 1099b says one thing and excel says another; only if comfortable - it's your data.  More specifics may help suggest a path forward.

Ultimately you may need to go the CPA route who can help you more directly to work with the data and resolve it, maybe it won't cost that much for some one-off consultation, and give you peace of mind in terms of the tax, audit etc.  But you also said 20 people have looked at it, maybe you mean online support.

[fanfare]

every CPA you have talked to is wrong.

A spreadsheet is an acceptable substitute  as long as the columns are titled and ordered  the same as shown on Form 8949, and includes your name SSN and tax year up top.

There are lots of other brokers besides the big ones I mentioned.

Suggestion: look at your statement of Net Liquidating Value on Dec 31 2023 and statement on Dec 31 2024.

After adding back any withdrawals, that is your "Gain or (loss)" for the year.

After entering the final total  " gross proceeds"  from your broker statement, you know what costs to report.

if cost of Box A transactions does not match broker statement, IRS says:

"For Box A or D, leave basis as reported, use Code "B" and put an adjustment in col(g)."

Do not attach any unintelligible details.

Do not attach any details ; a lot of  taxpayers either don't understand or  just ignore the detail reporting requirement.

@olwi00