People invest with the hope of earning a return over time. But what happens when you choose to sell? Cost basis is key to understanding your tax obligations and the true profit of your investments.

Cost basis is the original purchase price of an asset. Tracking cost basis is key to tax-efficient investing. Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who ...

The biggest hurdle that investors face is paying tax on the gains on their long-term investments. Yet the tax laws actually give heirs a huge tax break when they inherit shares of stock or other ...

Cost basis is the purchase cost of a particular security, including commission charges. Importantly, a cost basis can be established over a series of purchases of the same security, not just one trade ...

Reinvest dividends to buy more shares; consider tax when selling shares accumulated via DRIPs. Dividends received outside IRA are taxable, increasing your stock's tax basis over time. Track cost basis ...

Cost basis affects capital gains taxes on investments. Cost basis varies by investment type and whether you purchased the asset or received it as a gift or inheritance. Optimizing cost basis can ...