Selling an item received free with purchase of something else

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
January 8, 2025
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I bought a dishwasher this year while the manufacturer had a promotion of "buy a dishwasher and get a free coffee maker." I had to buy the dishwasher first, then send in the proof of purchase info, and then they sent me the coffee maker. I promptly sold the coffee maker on eBay.

For the purpose of capital gains, what is the basis of the coffee maker?

I spent $1506 on the purchase. The coffee maker's retail price is $1399 (although it sells on Amazon for more like $800). I sold the coffee maker for $528 after seller fees and shipping.

In my mind, the $1506 purchase price was the cost of 2 appliances. But I don't know if I need to treat it as if it were a $1506 dishwasher and a $0 coffee maker, in which case I would have to pay short term capital gains on the $528?

Best answer by Hal_Al

I agree, the $1506 purchase price was the cost of 2 appliances.

Q. For the purpose of capital gains, what is the basis of the coffee maker?

A. The prorated portion of the $1506 you paid.

For example, if the retail price of the refrigerator was $2000 and the coffee maker $1399 ($3399 total), then your cost basis in the coffee maker is 1399/3399 x 1506 = $620.

Hal_AlAnswer

Employee

I agree, the $1506 purchase price was the cost of 2 appliances.

Q. For the purpose of capital gains, what is the basis of the coffee maker?

A. The prorated portion of the $1506 you paid.

For example, if the retail price of the refrigerator was $2000 and the coffee maker $1399 ($3399 total), then your cost basis in the coffee maker is 1399/3399 x 1506 = $620.