Cost basis of stock
I was employed by Walgreens for 36 years . I acquired over 15,000 shares thru payroll deduction, stock options and stock purchase plans. The company was bought out this year by a private equity firm. They took my stock. I have 10,300 shares in 3 lots that I have no date of purchase or cost of the stock. How can I determine my cost basis for taxes?
Terry Says
Whew, that’s a tough one. You don’t have annual records of your stock purchase cost? Aren’t the shares held in a brokerage account set up for employees? Or do you now have actual stock certificates?? If so, I hope you kept your old tax returns. They would at least disclose the year in which you received this compensation.
And you could check the stock price history here: https://www.investing.com/equities/walgreen-co-historical-data
Then you could take an average price of the stock during that year and use it as your cost basis. You obviously have a long term capital gain –or more likely a loss!. You can write off that loss against other gains — or deduct $3,000 a year against ordinary income.
There is currently NO public market for Walgreens shares, so you cant sell. WBA (Walgreens Boots Alliance) shares ceased trading on Nasdaq at the close of August 27, 2025, and were formally delisted shortly thereafter. Private equity firm Sycamore Partners completed its acquisition of Walgreens Boots Alliance in late August 2025, paying shareholders $11.45 per share in cash.
Did you receive the money for your shares???
If you hold any shares now, they are officially worthless — even if you have certificates. Please consult a CPA for how to recognize this loss.
