2. Import Trade History

Import your brokerage trade history into TradeLog®:

 

Your specific import filter was selected when you created your data file using menu item File, New. If you need to change to a different import filter, please select Options, Import Filter from the main menu and choose the appropriate import filter for your online broker. The import speed button on the toolbar should now display the name of your broker (for example, Ameritrade Imp).

 

If you are connected to the Internet, your web browser will automatically run and direct you to an import instruction page designed to guide you step-by-step through the process of locating compatible trade history reports on your broker's web site.

 

Depending on which online broker you use, either download a data file containing your trade history or simply copy your trade history right from your web browser. Please see our Broker Import Support page to identify the import method supported by your online broker.

 

Please see Selecting a Broker Import Filter and Finding Compatible Trade History Reports in our Comprehensive User Guide.

 

Click the Imp speed button on the TradeLog® toolbar to import your trade history report. Trades are matched by ticker description and matched for buys, sells, partial fills and short positions – even if your broker doesn't flag short sales on your reports. Our software uses "open a trade, close a trade" terminology rather than "buy" and "sell", which eliminates confusion as to whether your positions are long or short. (See: How TradeLog Works for details.)

 

Please import a full 13 months worth of data January 1 through January 31 of the next tax year. The January of next tax year trades are required for properly calculating wash sales. January of next tax year trades should not be imported if you have elected Mark-to-Market for the current tax year. Do NOT import January of next tax year trades if you have elected MTM for this tax year.

 

Please do not import past January 31 of the next tax year as this will skew the profit/loss calculations for the current tax year.

 

Please do not import any closed positions from any year prior to the current tax year as this also will skew the profit/loss calculations for the current tax year.

 

If you traded Options and your brokerage did not record the expiring transactions be sure to use the TradeLog function to properly expire the options. (See: Expire Options for details.)

 

Please see Importing your Trade History Report in the Comprehensive User Guide for more details.

 

You are now ready for step 3: Verify your TradeLog data