The short answer
| What it reports | Sales or redemptions of securities, futures transactions, commodities, and barter exchange transactions. |
|---|---|
| Amounts to report | All amounts |
| To the recipient | February 15 |
| To the IRS, on paper | February 28 |
| To the IRS, electronically | March 31 |
If one arrives
Each sale goes on Form 8949 and carries to Schedule D. Check whether basis was reported to the IRS — the form says so, and it decides how much work is yours.
The form is how a payer tells the IRS what it paid. Its absence is not permission — income you received is reportable whether or not a form covers it, and a threshold decides only who must file, never what you owe.
This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. It covers United States federal reporting. Consult a qualified tax professional about your situation.