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Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 5:35 pm
by Thogey
Let's discuss this issue.

Do you keep track of what you paid for PMs and coins?

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 5:46 pm
by Thogey
I actually changed my vote.

I do have a folder with proof of payment. Just in case.

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 6:09 pm
by inflationhawk
I admit I am meticulous and keep solid records of everything purchased.

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 6:15 pm
by Rastatodd
I have a ledger to document my sold and traded items. This way I can audit it from time to time to see if I'll making any profit or losing money over time. For the items I purchase I have it all down in a Excel spread sheet, which helps me to cost average down when ever the opportunity presents its self.

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 6:19 pm
by IdahoCopper
What is the cost basis for an inheiritence?

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 6:32 pm
by Thogey
IdahoCopper wrote:What is the cost basis for an inheiritence?


I think it's up to $5 million, Then there's a 35% hit after that.

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 6:38 pm
by IdahoCopper
No Thogey, what is the >cost< ??

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 6:41 pm
by Engineer
IdahoCopper wrote:No Thogey, what is the >cost< ??


It was a gift, so your cost was zero.

I'm not a tax guy, but if it's a large enough amount to worry over, the estate could probably sell on your behalf, and use the estate's cost basis to reduce or eliminate the tax burden.

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 6:54 pm
by inflationhawk
It's actually a "step up" in basis to the value of the coins at the time of inheritance. There is no tax consequence at the time of inheritance. When you go to sell, your gain or loss is determined by the difference in the selling price and the value at the time you inherited it.

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 8:12 pm
by Thogey
IdahoCopper wrote:No Thogey, what is the >cost< ??


As far as the IRS is concerned.

The >cost< is 5 million.

Consult your accountant.

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 9:10 pm
by scyther
I chose the middle option. I did record my purchases, from the beginning, but I lost the list... twice :oops: So I only have a record of my last two purchases now.

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 9:18 pm
by Engineer
inflationhawk wrote:It's actually a "step up" in basis to the value of the coins at the time of inheritance. There is no tax consequence at the time of inheritance. When you go to sell, your gain or loss is determined by the difference in the selling price and the value at the time you inherited it.


Good point. I forgot about the "step up".

Back to the topic at hand, I keep cost records and pay any taxes due...but only if I can't find a way to offset them. One nice thing about sorting for silver is having the ability to mix and match what you sell to meet a target sales price.

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 9:54 pm
by barrytrot
If you aren't keeping track of your "buy prices" and "sell prices" and you get audited you can bet the auditor will pick the WORST CASE SCENARIO for everything. So you are better off being meticulous!

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:09 pm
by scyther
barrytrot wrote:If you aren't keeping track of your "buy prices" and "sell prices" and you get audited you can bet the auditor will pick the WORST CASE SCENARIO for everything. So you are better off being meticulous!

Do you need receipts for everything? My coin shop doesn't give receipts.

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:34 pm
by AGgressive Metal
scyther wrote:
barrytrot wrote:If you aren't keeping track of your "buy prices" and "sell prices" and you get audited you can bet the auditor will pick the WORST CASE SCENARIO for everything. So you are better off being meticulous!

Do you need receipts for everything? My coin shop doesn't give receipts.


No receipts sounds like they might not be reporting/charging all the sales tax. :?:

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:39 pm
by scyther
AGgressive Metal wrote:
scyther wrote:
barrytrot wrote:If you aren't keeping track of your "buy prices" and "sell prices" and you get audited you can bet the auditor will pick the WORST CASE SCENARIO for everything. So you are better off being meticulous!

Do you need receipts for everything? My coin shop doesn't give receipts.


No receipts sounds like they might not be reporting/charging all the sales tax. :?:

I don't think they have to charge sales tax here (Illinois). Do most places usually give receipts?

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:47 pm
by IdahoCopper
barrytrot wrote:If you aren't keeping track of your "buy prices" and "sell prices" and you get audited you can bet the auditor will pick the WORST CASE SCENARIO for everything. So you are better off being meticulous!


And who will Aver, under penalty of perjury, that the "selected" scenario is absolutely true and correct? The auditor?

Thank you for all the insights.

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 11:34 pm
by barrytrot
IdahoCopper wrote:
barrytrot wrote:If you aren't keeping track of your "buy prices" and "sell prices" and you get audited you can bet the auditor will pick the WORST CASE SCENARIO for everything. So you are better off being meticulous!


And who will Aver, under penalty of perjury, that the "selected" scenario is absolutely true and correct? The auditor?

Thank you for all the insights.


They don't have a big court hearing if you are audited unless you are going to jail for it.

It's just your word against nothing. Naturally everything you say is assumed to be true and correct when you are being audited, but if you don't have PROOF they go with what they go with. That's the way it works.

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 3:01 am
by InfleXion
I keep all my receipts and track my cost basis in a spreadsheet. Thankfully we don't have capital gains tax in my state, but I figure better safe than sorry.

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 6:23 am
by IdahoCopper
barrytrot wrote:
IdahoCopper wrote:
barrytrot wrote:If you aren't keeping track of your "buy prices" and "sell prices" and you get audited you can bet the auditor will pick the WORST CASE SCENARIO for everything. So you are better off being meticulous!


And who will Aver, under penalty of perjury, that the "selected" scenario is absolutely true and correct? The auditor?

Thank you for all the insights.


They don't have a big court hearing if you are audited unless you are going to jail for it.

It's just your word against nothing. Naturally everything you say is assumed to be true and correct when you are being audited, but if you don't have PROOF they go with what they go with. That's the way it works.


In the end >somebody< signs a 1040 form, attesting under penalty of perjury that the submitted info is TRUE. Would you sign a 1040 KNOWING the info was false, because the auditor assumed, and made up numbers out of thin air?

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 11:13 am
by neilgin1
Thogey wrote:Let's discuss this issue.

Do you keep track of what you paid for PMs and coins?


yes...in two ways, on my email client, for legal purposes, in case anything goes awry...I segregate all dealings in a separate folder.

Then, when I receive rolls, I inspect and weigh every coin, than I handwrite in a special inventory notebook, ALL silver...THAN, I make it safed....then twice a year, I re-inventory.

also for all 95% copper pennies, as well as "bricks" of nickels, ($100 FV boxes of 75/25's)

I always believe in matters of personal business, one should TRY and be precise. Nice survey Thog....i'm going to read the rest of the responses, have a great Sunday, neil

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 11:52 am
by OneBiteAtATime
I have little to say except that I know I need to be more organized. It's been a downfall since my mother first asked me to put away the lincoln logs when I was 5.

That said, given some time, I could document everything I do. I have bags of receipts from auctions, pawn and thrift stores, coin shops, etc.

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 12:07 pm
by IdahoCopper
OneBiteAtATime wrote:I have little to say except that I know I need to be more organized. It's been a downfall since my mother first asked me to put away the lincoln logs when I was 5.

That said, given some time, I could document everything I do. I have bags of receipts from auctions, pawn and thrift stores, coin shops, etc.


I'm presently going through my Dad's things. I'm finding papers, receipts envelopes are far back as the early 80s in the shed outside. Some boxes and bags have paper from the 60s. I got a 10 yard dumpster in the driveway, its 1/2 full after a day & half. Its 104 to 108 here in Tucson. This is way too much fun.

Please take care of your rotting pile of papers before you get too old and infirm, so your heirs do not have to deal with it.

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 12:12 pm
by 68Camaro
Been through the same thing, several times. It's no fun. Hang in there.

Re: Do You Record Your Cost Basis?

PostPosted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 3:07 pm
by John_doe
I keep paper trails of everything.