What Is It
It's important that our Farmers Insurance Group clients know about worthless stock. First, let's start with the basics — What is it? As the name implies, worthless stock has no securities market value. A company's stock becomes worthless when the company ceases operations or liquidates its assets. A company's stock is not worthless if the stock is still trading, even if only for pennies. Taxpayers may deduct the loss from totally worthless stock, but no loss deduction is allowed for a mere decrease in the value of a security. Taxpayers who take a loss deduction for worthless stock must be prepared to prove to the IRS that the shares are really worthless. IRS Publication 550 includes more information about recognizing capital gains and losses.
Tip: Writing off worthless securities can be extremely complex. If your position is substantial, you might consider consulting a tax professional to ensure you don't make any missteps.
Caution: A company that is in bankruptcy may not be defunct. Its stock may still be trading and, in fact, may retain some or all of its value.
When Can A Taxpayer Deduct A Loss For Stock That Is Worthless?
The Company Liquidates Its Assets and Issues a 1099-DIV
When a company liquidates, shareholders may receive a Form 1099-DIV at the end of the year that shows the liquidating distribution made to them during that year. For tax purposes, shareholders should treat this distribution as if they had sold the stock. The date of sale is the date of the distribution. To calculate any loss (short-term or long-term), shareholders should subtract their cost basis in the stock from the amount of the distribution.
Obtain Documentation That the Stock Was Worthless
If the company does not liquidate and you do not receive a 1099-DIV--and it's highly likely you won't--stockholders may still take a loss deduction for worthless stock if they obtain proof acceptable to the IRS that the stock had no value at some point in time during the year in which the deduction is taken. Examples of such proof include a letter from the company that states it has shut down and there are no assets to pay shareholders or a letter from a broker that states the stock has been delisted and no longer has value. On his or her tax return, the shareholder should state the date of sale as December 31 of the year in which the stock became worthless. The sale price is 0 or 'worthless.'
Caution: A shareholder may deduct a loss for worthless stock only in the tax year the stock became worthless. It is essential that the shareholder declares (and can prove) this event in the correct year. However, if necessary, the shareholder can file an amended return (Form 1040X). Taxpayers have seven years to do so, unlike the usual three years for most Form 1040X filings.
Abandoning a Stock
We'd also like our Farmers Insurance Group clients to know that you may also be able to claim a stock as worthless if you abandoned it after March 12, 2008. To do so, you must relinquish all rights to it and receive nothing in return; however, these Farmers Insurance Group employees should consult a tax professional to ensure that the transaction is not considered a sale, exchange, contribution to capital, dividend, or gift, which could change the tax implications.
What If Shares That Are Declared Worthless Regain Value?
If a loss deduction is taken for worthless stock and that stock regains value, the taxpayer need not amend his or her tax return—he or she simply uses the worthless date as the acquisition date and 0 as the cost basis.
Featured Video
Articles you may find interesting:
- Corporate Employees: 8 Factors When Choosing a Mutual Fund
- Use of Escrow Accounts: Divorce
- Medicare Open Enrollment for Corporate Employees: Cost Changes in 2024!
- Stages of Retirement for Corporate Employees
- 7 Things to Consider Before Leaving Your Company
- How Are Workers Impacted by Inflation & Rising Interest Rates?
- Lump-Sum vs Annuity and Rising Interest Rates
- Internal Revenue Code Section 409A (Governing Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans)
- Corporate Employees: Do NOT Believe These 6 Retirement Myths!
- 401K, Social Security, Pension – How to Maximize Your Options
- Have You Looked at Your 401(k) Plan Recently?
- 11 Questions You Should Ask Yourself When Planning for Retirement
- Worst Month of Layoffs In Over a Year!
How Can You Find Out If A Stock Is Worthless?
Many of our Farmers Insurance Group clients may be wondering how you can tell if a stock is worthless. Several stock-tracing firms research obsolete securities to determine whether they have any current value in the financial markets. These firms typically charge anywhere from $30 to $100 for each company they research. Discounts may be available if a shareholder needs a number of certificates researched, or he or she might receive a refund if the firm is unable to find any information. We suggest these Farmers Insurance Group clients find a stock-tracing firm, look in the telephone directory, contact the stockbroker, or search the Internet.
What If A Stock Is Worth Almost Nothing?
If a stock is no longer traded but is not formally defunct, there's another (though more complicated) possibility for milking tax value from an investing mistake. You could sell the shares in an arm's length transaction (to a willing, unrelated buyer for fair value). Be sure that ownership of the shares transfers to the new owner. You also could check with your brokerage firm to see whether it purchases virtually worthless shares from customers for a nominal amount in order to supply them with a trade confirmation for tax purposes.
Antique Stock Certificates May Have Collector Value
There is a market for antique stock certificates, so for any Farmers Insurance Group employees who have certificates of stock that turn out to be worthless, don't throw them away. The hobby of collecting old stocks (and bonds) is called scripophily. Most worthless stock over 70 years old has some collector value. Many of the firms that trace old stock certificates also are aware of whatever potential collector value a certificate might have.
What is the 401(k) plan offered by Farmers Insurance Group?
The 401(k) plan at Farmers Insurance Group is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to save a portion of their paycheck before taxes are taken out.
How does Farmers Insurance Group match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Farmers Insurance Group offers a matching contribution to the 401(k) plan, which typically matches a percentage of the employee's contributions, up to a certain limit.
What are the eligibility requirements for the 401(k) plan at Farmers Insurance Group?
Employees of Farmers Insurance Group are generally eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a certain period of employment, usually within the first year.
Can employees of Farmers Insurance Group make changes to their 401(k) contributions?
Yes, employees of Farmers Insurance Group can change their contribution amounts at any time, subject to certain plan rules.
What investment options are available in the Farmers Insurance Group 401(k) plan?
The Farmers Insurance Group 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, stocks, and bonds, allowing employees to tailor their investment strategy.
Is there a vesting schedule for the employer match in the Farmers Insurance Group 401(k) plan?
Yes, the Farmers Insurance Group 401(k) plan has a vesting schedule that determines how much of the employer match employees can keep if they leave the company.
How can employees at Farmers Insurance Group access their 401(k) account information?
Employees can access their 401(k) account information through the Farmers Insurance Group employee portal or by contacting the plan administrator.
What happens to the 401(k) savings if an employee leaves Farmers Insurance Group?
If an employee leaves Farmers Insurance Group, they can roll over their 401(k) savings into another retirement account, withdraw the funds, or leave the savings in the Farmers Insurance Group plan if allowed.
Can employees of Farmers Insurance Group take loans against their 401(k) savings?
Yes, the Farmers Insurance Group 401(k) plan may allow employees to take loans against their savings, subject to specific terms and conditions.
Are there penalties for withdrawing funds from the Farmers Insurance Group 401(k) plan before retirement age?
Yes, early withdrawals from the Farmers Insurance Group 401(k) plan may incur penalties and taxes unless certain exceptions apply.