Tax Center: Closed-End Funds
Tax Planning Resources from Virtus Closed-End Funds
Effective tax planning can help you manage your investment strategy. We provide information and tools to guide you through this process – and we give you access to current tax information.
Here is a brief list of the types of forms we provide to our closed-end fund shareholders.
1099-DIV: Dividends and Capital Gains Distributions
Who receives it: Investors in non-retirement accounts who received dividends and/or capital gains distributions over $10, regardless of whether they were reinvested or paid in cash.
- Sample 1099-DIV Tax Form
- Non-dividend distributions (Return of Capital)
1099-B: Proceeds from a Sale
Who receives it: Investors who sold shares from their account.
Cost Basis: Reports gains and losses generated from a sale of shares. The IRS requires closed-end fund companies to provide cost basis information to both investors and the IRS on the sale of fund shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012 – called “covered” shares.
- Cost Basis reporting will be required on shares purchased on or after 1/1/2012 (“covered” shares), including those purchased through the automatic reinvestment of dividends.
- Cost Basis reporting is not required on shares purchased before 1/1/2012 (“non-covered” shares). Fund companies are not required to provide mandatory cost basis reporting for these shares. Although these shares are not covered, you will be required to report them when you prepare your federal tax return.
Electing a Cost Basis Method
First In, First Out Category is the default method used to determine the cost basis for any “covered” shares for Virtus Closed-End Funds. If you would like to use a different method than First In, First Out, you may change the fund’s default to another method before the first redemption or transfer by contacting shareholder servicing for instructions at 1-866-270-7788.
We strongly encourage that you consult your tax professional if you have any questions about your cost basis reporting options. Information can also be obtained by visiting the IRS website at www.irs.gov.