Income tax returns for 2012 that included any of 29 forms and schedules (www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/List-of-IRS-forms-that-1040-filers-can-begin-filing-in-late-February-or-into-March-2013) impacted by the “fiscal cliff” legislation were not able to be filed until now. The IRS announced that as of March 3 it is accepting returns with any of these forms or schedules.
Generally, the amount paid for property. You need to know your basis to figure gain or loss on a sale.