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February 22, 2024
Question

If I sold all shares in a company in 2023, would dividends reinvested prior to the stock sale be taxed?

  • February 22, 2024
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2 replies

February 22, 2024

Dividends reinvested in prior years have been taxed in the year of the dividend.

 

Assume an investment of 100 shares costing $1,000 in year 1.  This is not a taxable event.

 

At the end of year 1, a $100 dividend buys five shares of stock at $20/share.  The $100 in dividend income is taxed on your Federal 1040 tax return.

 

At the end of year 2, a $100 dividend buys four shares of stock at $25/share.  The $100 in dividend income is taxed on your Federal 1040 tax return.

 

On the first day of business in year 3, all 109 shares are sold.  The cost of the 109 shares is $1,200 which includes the two $100 dividends reinvested and taxed.

 

The average cost per share is $1,200 investment / 109 shares equals $11.00/share.

 

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February 23, 2024

the dividends were taxed in the year paid and since reinvested they add to your tax basis. 

so if you invested $1000 originally and had $200 of Fully taxable reinvested dividends your tax basis is now $1,200