GlossaryBeginner

Cost Basis

Generally what you originally paid to acquire an asset, used to work out a gain or loss later.

Cost basis is generally the amount originally paid to acquire an asset, including applicable fees. It's commonly compared against an asset's value at a later taxable event to calculate a gain or loss.

Accurate records of acquisition dates, amounts, and prices are what make it possible to establish cost basis later — without them, reconstructing this information after the fact can be difficult or impossible.

Examples

If a unit of cryptocurrency was bought for $100 and later sold for $150, the $100 purchase price is generally its cost basis.
Keeping records of every purchase, including fees, helps establish accurate cost basis later.