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The Global Insight

Do mutual funds track cost basis?

Author

John Johnson

Updated on March 12, 2026

Mutual fund investors have one additional cost basis method they can use called “average cost, single category.” This method determines your transaction’s cost basis by taking the average cost of all the shares you own and multiplying it by the number of shares you’re selling.

How do you calculate cost basis?

You can calculate your cost basis per share in two ways: Take the original investment amount ($10,000) and divide it by the new number of shares you hold (2,000 shares) to arrive at the new per share cost basis ($10,000/2,000=$5.00).

When selling mutual funds is it FIFO?

While the cost basis is the average cost of the cumulative position, the character of the sale is still determined on a FIFO basis, so the sale is going to be matched to the one share purchased in1989, which results in a long term capital loss.

What happens if I sell my mutual funds?

When an investor sells mutual fund shares, the redemption process is straightforward, but there might be unexpected charges or fees. Class A shares usually have front-end sales loads, which are fees charged when the investment is made, but Class B shares may impose a charge when shares are sold.

How do I calculate my cost basis for a mutual fund?

To calculate average basis:

  1. Add up the cost of all the shares you own in the mutual fund.
  2. Divide that result by the total number of shares you own. This gives you your average per share.
  3. Multiply the average per share by the number of shares sold.

How do I find old cost basis?

How do I find a stock’s cost basis?

  1. Sign in to your brokerage account. Although your broker may not include your basis on your 1099-B, it doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t have it.
  2. Look at previous broker statements.
  3. Contact your brokerage firm.
  4. Go online for historical stock prices.
  5. Go directly to the source.

How to calculate the basis of a mutual fund?

Divide that result by the total number of shares you own. This gives you your average per share. Multiply the average per share by the number of shares sold. You may no longer use the double-category method for figuring your average basis.

Do you have to report cost basis when selling a mutual fund?

Investments held in tax-deferred accounts—like 401 (k)s and traditional IRAs—or those in tax-free accounts—such as Roths—are not required to report cost basis when selling. Prior to 2012, mutual fund and brokerage companies were not required to keep track of cost basis information for investors.

How to calculate gain on sale of mutual funds?

Divide that result by the total number of shares you own. This gives you your average per share. Multiply the average per share by the number of shares sold. If you wish to use the average basis to figure the gain on the sale of mutual fund shares, you must elect to do so.

How to calculate FIFO for mutual fund shares?

1 Cost Basis Options. When you sell mutual fund shares, you have three choices for calculating the cost basis of the sold shares. 2 FIFO Shares. First-in-first-out cost basis works like it sounds. 3 Mutual Fund Reporting. For any mutual fund shares you bought after Jan. 4 FIFO Effects. …