How to access cost basis and realized gain/loss information.
When your account moves to Schwab, the cost basis for all your open positions will move with it—as will realized gain/loss information for any historical positions that were closed at TD Ameritrade before your transition date.
Cost basis
Where to find cost basis information when you log in to Schwab.com.
1. Go to Accounts > Positions > Market Value.
2. Click on the dollar amount in the Cost Basis column to see lot details.
3. The lot details will be displayed in a separate pop-up window.
Note: The symbol used in this image is for illustrative purposes only and is not a recommendation.
More details to know about mutual funds.
Additional details
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For mutual funds, Lot Details will reflect the average price if the default is set to Average. For accounts set to Identified, the original costs should be displayed within Lot Details.
How to change your default preferences.
1. Go to the profile icon > Account Settings.
2. To choose your default preferences, select Edit cost basis method.
3. Choose your preferred method and select Update.
Additional details about account settings
Additional details about cost basis settings
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Accounts that have specific cost basis for individual tax lots of mutual funds will have this setting carry over to Schwab automatically. Separate lot relief methods for individual security classes selected at TD Ameritrade will not carry over to Schwab, and in these cases the account-level setting will default to FIFO. At Schwab, you can select a single cost basis default that will apply to all securities in each account.
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Accounts that have selected the Average Cost Method for mutual funds will have this setting carry over to Schwab automatically. For positions with averaged cost, the lot relief method must be set to FIFO. All lot relief methods are still available for accounts with mixed cost basis and will be applied to securities without averaged cost basis.
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After your transition is complete, you'll be able to select specific lots at the time of trade and up until the settlement date of any closing transaction. For equities, options, and bonds set to identified, Schwab accommodates one selection: FIFO, LIFO, HCLOT, LCLOT, or BTAX.
How to change the cost basis method when placing a trade on Schwab.com.
You can change the cost basis method in the trade ticket for a particular order at the time the trade is placed. As a reminder, you can continue to make cost basis selections on the thinkorswim® suite of platforms, available at Schwab later in 2023.
1. On the trading ticket, select Cost Basis Method.
2. Next, choose the method you'd like to use.
3. Then select Update and you'll be returned to the trade ticket to complete your trade.
Note: The symbol used in this image is for illustrative purposes only and is not a recommendation.
How to choose specified lots on Schwab.com.
Not available at TD Ameritrade, the ability to select specific lots at the time of trade is available on Schwab.com. Here's how it works:
1. On the trading ticket, select Cost Basis Method.
2. Then select Specified Lots as the cost basis method for the order.
3. Enter the quantity of shares of the specified lots that need to be closed, then select Update.
4. The cost basis method has been updated to Specified Lots. You can now proceed to reviewing the trade order.
Note: The symbol used in these images is for illustrative purposes only and is not a recommendation.
More details about existing and new orders.
Additional details
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When canceling an existing order and entering a new one, or modifying an existing order, you'll need to reenter specified lots or the cost basis method since those don't carry over to the new order. For example, if you change the price of a limit order, the existing order will be canceled and a new order number will be generated with the new price.
Realized gain/loss
How to access your realized gain/loss information on Schwab.com for trades made at Schwab.
Your realized gain/loss information for any historical positions that were closed at TD Ameritrade before your transition date will move with you to Schwab. Here's where to find it.
1. Go to Accounts > History > Realized Gain/Loss.
2. You can search by symbol or select a date range to view your closing transactions.
Note: Realized gain/loss information is not available through thinkorswim or the Schwab Mobile app.
How to access your realized gain/loss information for historical positions that were closed at TD Ameritrade before your move to Schwab.
Your reports will remain accessible and secure on the GainsKeeper® reporting system. Here's how to access your reports:
1. Go to Accounts > History > Realized Gain/Loss.
2. If you've selected the single account view, you will see a link to the GainsKeeper page in the blue bar located at the top of the page.
3. If you've selected an all accounts view, you will see individual links to the GainsKeeper page appear in a yellow bar below each account. You must click on each link to view the information held at GainsKeeper for each account.
4. By clicking the GainsKeeper link, you'll see a prompt informing you that you’re leaving Schwab. After clicking the Go to GainsKeeper button, GainsKeeper will appear in a new window.