TaxAct® customers can enter multiple Forms 1099-B quickly and easily by importing a .CSV (comma separated values) file. This feature is available in TaxAct Premier+ and above. See Entering in Program - Form 1099-B for manual entry instructions.
In order to import transactions, you will need to obtain a spreadsheet file from your broker (or create one of your own) and save it to your computer. If you use Microsoft Excel or Open Office to open files, you must convert the spreadsheet file to .CSV format, and then import that file into TaxAct. For an example, see the following sample .CSV:
To import a .CSV file into your TaxAct return, follow the steps below:
- From within your TaxAct return (Online or Desktop), click Federal. On smaller devices, click in the upper left-hand corner, then select Federal.
- Click Investment Income in the Federal Quick Q&A Topics menu to expand the category and then click Gain or loss on the sale of investments
- Click Stock Data Import
- Select CSV Import
- Click Choose File to browse your computer for the .CSV file.
- Click Open (TaxAct Online users must then click Continue).
- Use the drop-down menus to match the column headings from your file to the appropriate column headings allowed in the program, then click Next
- Select any entries you want imported into your tax file.
Note: To select all of the transactions, use the checkbox next to the Import column heading. Click Next to continue. - Review the transaction information on the screen. If everything is correct, click Import. If you need to make changes, click Previous to repeat prior CSV import steps.
- Close the Import Successful notification window
- When you return to the CSV File Import screen, click Continue to review, modify, or delete any of the Form 1099-B data imported into your return.
If you import more than one .CSV file or brokerage statement, the transactions will be added to the list of Form 1099-Bs previously created (up to 2,000 total).
Note: If you receive an error message while attempting to import your CSV file using Firefox browser, you may be able to import successfully by switching your browser to Internet Explorer.
Note. The only way to see the CSV Import is to have the screen on full view. The CSV import is not available on smaller screens (such as on mobile devices).
Matching Column Headings
It is the responsibility of the taxpayer/preparer to make sure the columns in their .CSV file match the appropriate fields in the TaxAct program. If these do not accurately match, the program may not calculate the investment sales correctly.
Of the column headers you are prompted to match when importing a CSV file, the following are REQUIRED in order to complete each Form 1099-B:
- Description
- Date Acquired
- Date Sold
- Sales Proceeds
- Cost or other basis
The following fields may be required depending on the specific circumstances:
- Additional Description - You may have a column in your file reflecting information such as the quantity or stock name, and if populated this becomes a part of the description field.
- Transaction Type - Only used to prompt the taxpayer to review possible entries not wanted in the file. For example, if the text "Bought" is listed as the Transaction Type, then the program will prompt the taxpayer to review whether that transaction should be a part of the import as the import is only for sale transactions.
- Withholding - Only required if there is tax withholding for any of the transactions.
- Wash Sale - Only required if any of the transactions are wash sales as those need to be designated as such in the program. To indicate a wash sale, enter a "W" (without the quotes) in the Wash Sale column on that specific transaction row.
- Adjustment Code - If populated with a proper Form 8949 adjustment code, this column will be taken into account when populating the Adjustment Code for each applicable transaction.
- Adjustment Amount - Only required if you have wash sale transactions or any other adjustment code to take into consideration.
- Reporting Category* - Only required if this information is included in your CSV file. This will indicate which box to mark on Form 8949 when reporting the transactions.
- Long/Short - Only required if any transactions have a date acquired of "Various". This ensures the program properly reports the transaction as either a short-term or long-term transaction.
- Owner - If populated this will indicate the owner (Taxpayer, Spouse or Joint) of the transaction being imported.
*There are six reporting categories: SHORT-TERM (A) Received a Form 1099-B showing basis was reported to the IRS (B) Received a Form 1099-B showing basis was NOT reported to the IRS (C) Did not receive a Form 1099-B, and LONG-TERM (D) Received a Form 1099-B showing basis was reported to the IRS (E) Received a Form 1099-B showing basis was NOT reported to the IRS (F) Did not receive a Form 1099-B.
Note: You should compare the CSV or Excel file you obtain from your broker with the information that was reported to you on Form 1099-B. All transactions reported on Form 1099-B need to be included in your CSV or Excel file. If there are ANY transactions missing from your CSV or Excel file, you will need to manually add these transactions to your file before importing into TaxAct.