Overview of Form 1099-B Boxes

Form 1099-B contains multiple boxes that report critical transaction information:

Payer Information

Identifies the broker or barter exchange responsible for reporting the transaction. This section includes:

• Payer name

• Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

• Mailing address

Recipient Information

Reports details about the person or entity whose assets were sold or exchanged:

• Recipient name

• TIN

• Address

• Account number (used when multiple accounts exist)

Transaction Information

Provides details about the sale or exchange, including:

• Description of the property (for example, shares of stock or other securities)

• Date acquired

• Date sold or exchanged

• Gross proceeds from the sale

• Cost or other basis (if applicable)

• Accrued market discount

• Short-term or long-term gain or loss

• Wash sale loss disallowed, if applicable

• Gains from collectibles or Qualified Opportunity Funds (QOFs)

• Realized or unrealized gain or loss, depending on the transaction type

Federal Income Tax Withheld

Reports any federal income tax withheld, including backup withholding, if applicable.

Bartering Information

Completed when the transaction involves a barter exchange, rather than a traditional securities sale.

State Filing Information

Includes state-level reporting details when required:

• State abbreviation

• Payer’s state identification number

• State income tax withheld

Key Box References (Commonly Used)

• Box 1a – Description of property

• Box 1b – Date acquired

• Box 1c – Date sold or disposed

• Box 1d – Proceeds

• Box 1e – Cost or other basis

• Box 2 – Type of gain or loss (short-term or long-term)

• Box 4 – Federal income tax withheld

• Box 5 – Noncovered security indicator

• Box 12 – Basis reported to the IRS indicator