IRS Form 8949
List each sale or disposition of a capital asset before totaling on Schedule D.
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About IRS Form 8949
Form 8949, Sales and Other Dispositions of Capital Assets, lists the details of each capital asset you sold or exchanged during the year. You enter the description, the dates acquired and sold, the proceeds, and the cost basis for each transaction, then group them by whether they are short term or long term and by how they were reported to you.
This page is a general guide and a fillable helper, not tax advice. Always download and file the current official form from the IRS at https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-8949 and confirm the fields and current rules match before you file.
Who needs to complete it
- Investors who sold stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other securities during the year.
- People who sold real estate or other capital property that is not their main home exclusion.
- Anyone who needs to adjust the basis or gain reported on a broker statement.
- Taxpayers whose totals will carry to Schedule D.
How to fill out IRS Form 8949
- 1Enter your name and Social Security number as shown on your return at the top.
- 2Choose Part I for short term transactions or Part II for long term transactions.
- 3Check the box that matches how the transaction was reported to you on a broker statement.
- 4For each asset, enter a description and the dates you acquired and sold it.
- 5Enter the proceeds and the cost or other basis for each asset.
- 6Enter any codes and adjustments to the gain or loss when they apply.
- 7Figure the gain or loss for each line and total each part.
- 8Carry the totals to the matching lines on Schedule D.
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Frequently asked questions
How does Form 8949 relate to Schedule D?
Form 8949 holds the line by line detail of each sale, and the totals carry to Schedule D, which summarizes your capital gains and losses. This is a general guide, not tax advice, and you should download and file the current official form from the IRS.
Which box do I check at the top?
You check the box that matches how the sale was reported to you, such as whether the basis was reported to the IRS. Use a separate form or section for each box type.
When do I use an adjustment code?
You use an adjustment code and amount when the reported gain or loss needs to be corrected, for example a wash sale. Check the current instructions for the list of codes.
Is this the official IRS form?
This is a fillable helper to make completion easier. Always download and file the current official form from the IRS at https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-8949 and confirm the fields match.