WHFIT 1099B question

[gopherbear]

On my 1099-B, under proceeds from broker transactions, short-term transaction for which basis is missing and not reported to the IRS, I have 12 monthly entries for ISHARES SILVER TRUST. Each of the 12 entries only has a date and proceeds listed. (ex. 1/31/24 proceeds $5.38, 2/29/24 proceeds $5.05, etc for each month of the year). I never bought nor sold ISHARES SILVER TRUST during the year. I have owned it for several years and this did not appear on my 1099-B like this last year. I never received proceeds into my brokerage account during the year for these supposed transactions. These transactions are listed on a separate page as WHFIT (widely held fixed investment trust reporting). I'm guessing this is some type of unrealized gain. What I need to know is what to put for the date acquired.  If I put the date I originally got the shares it would be considered long term gain, but this is showing up as short term gain on the 1099B. Any help is appreciated.  

[KeshaH]

This is happening because WHFIT reporting treats certain distributions from trusts differently than regular dividends. These small monthly amounts are likely return of capital distributions and not actual sales of shares. For the "date acquired" field, you should use the date shown on each specific transaction line on your 1099-B. Don't use your original purchase date, as the IRS expects these transactions to be reported as short-term.

This type of reporting changed recently, which is why you haven't seen it on previous returns.

If you have any doubts, you can confirm with your brokerage the nature of these WHFIT transactions on your 1099-B.

[gopherbear]

Just to clarify, there is no date acquired listed on my 1099. If I am reading your answer correctly, I should use the date of the sale as the date acquired - thus making the transaction short term. Is that right?

[ThomasM125]

Yes, that will work. Any date that is less than one year from the sale date will give you short-term gain treatment, that is all that matters.