How do I calculate the cost basis of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)?

Question

I was granted RSUs that vested 1/3 per year, over 3 years. From E*Trade I have:

• 2016, 133 Shares Vested, 89 Shares Transferred to me, Tax Paid: $3,424.52
• 2017, 134 Shares Vested, 90 Shares Transferred to me, Tax Paid: $4,795.56

In 2017 I sold all of these, with proceeds of $7,814.83 and $10,709.51 respectively.

Since the original shares were already taxed (I vested 133 and 134, but x-shares were sold for tax purposes, noted above), do I put a cost basis of $0 on the remaining proceeds I received after selling what was left over?

Update

For completeness, here's my RSU history and how I filed:

Vesting #1 | 133 Shares
------------------------
Vest Date:    07/16/2016
PPS at Vest:  $77.83

Shares Assigned:           89
Shares Witheld for Tax:    44
Total Tax Paid (at vest):  $3,424.52
Cost Basis:                $6,926.87

Sale Date:    02/15/2017
PPS at Sale:  $87.95


Vesting #2 | 134 Shares
------------------------
Vest Date:    07/16/2017
PPS at Vest:  $108.99

Shares Assigned:           90
Shares Witheld for Tax:    44
Total Tax Paid (at vest):  $4,795.56
Cost Basis:                $9,809.10

Sale Date:    08/17/2017
PPS at Sale:  $116.47

Answer 1

For RSUs, the cost basis should be the fair market value (FMV) of the shares on the day they vest. This should be listed on your 1099-B from E-Trade, but perhaps not. If it's missing or $0, you'll need to adjust your basis to avoid being double taxed. You should have some kind of records to determine the FMV, for example payslips or you should be able to back-calculate it from your W-2 (because it's included as part of Box 1).

Answer 2

You can find your adjusted cost basis on a supplemental form provided by E*TRADE SECURITIES LLC. This form is separate from a 1099-B.

Answer 3

Ok, Finally I figured out how to deal with RSU stocks with Turbo Tax Premier version. My forms are all from Etrade. Information you need are: 1) 1099 form from Etrade 2) Stock Plan Transactions Supplement 3) Employee Stock Plan Release Confirmation. Etrade only send us the 1099. You can go their website find 2nd and 3rd form yourself, or call them to help you.

Once you have those forms (you can import 1099 from Etrade, and only 1099 will be imported). Follow TurboTax step by step. At some point, TurboTax will ask you what stock you have, you need to choose the option has RSU. At some point, it will allow you to edit each sale of you stocks, you need to click on edit, and follow instructions to enter information from 2nd and 3rd forms.