Prepare a formal tax memorandum for the Firm's/Client's file.

Research and report using the following process:

1. Determine the facts.

2. Identify the issues (questions).

3, Locate the applicable authorities.

4. Evaluate the authorities and choose those to follow where the authorities conflict.

5. Analyze the facts in terms of the applicable authorities.

6. Communicate conclusions and recommendations to the client.

During the year, our client sold shares of stock in a publicly traded company. He and his wife have no record of the stock purchase. They have a general idea that the stock was purchased 11 years ago toward the end of the year, in fall.

Questions:

1. How must basis be determined?

2. Can you use the year-end closing price to compute the basis?