If you don’t specify the shares prior to selling them, the IRS will assume that you used the first-in, first-out method. Using the specific identification method, you can identify the actual shares you want to sell to minimize your capital gain or maximize your loss. If the price of the stock or mutual fund shares that you’re selling has fluctuated over the years, using this method could be advantageous for you.
Here are the rules regarding this method identifying shares to be sold:
Prior to or at the time of the sale, you must specify to the fund or your broker exactly which shares you wish to sell.
You must receive written confirmation from the fund or your broker within a reasonable time of your specification of the particular shares sold or transferred.
Example: You purchased 1,000 shares of a fund for $12 a share in 2008. You purchased another 500 shares of the same fund for $15 a share in 2009, and another 900 shares for $27 in early 2010.
In late 2010, you decide to sell 900 shares at $26 a share and receive a check for $23,400. If you use the first-in first-out method, you’ll show a capital gain of $12,600:
$26 (Market value) - $12 (Amount you paid) X 900 shares = $12,600
However, if you specifically identify that you want to sell the 900 shares you purchased in early 2010, you’ll show a loss of $900 on your tax return:
$26 (Market value) - $27 (Amount you paid) X 900 shares = $-900
Base your decision on your tax situation.