Inherited Stock
Since you reference SS, I surmise you are in the US.  Stock you inherit gets a stepped up basis when it's inherited. (so long as it was not contained within a tax deffered retirement account.) When you sell, the new basis is taken from that day you inherited it. It should be minimal compared to your desire to diversify.
HEALTH BOARD- In The News - Springhill Group Counselling  http://inthenews.springhillgroupcounselling.com/2011/11/29/health-board/ | This url was saved by 2 users  HEALTH BOARD– In The News - Springhill Group Counselling  SYLVIA THOMPSON German psychotherapist Bert Hellinger has developed an approach to dealing with relationship problems, financial distress, addictions and career troubles that is based on the idea that self-limiting beliefs can be inherited from previous generations. Julie Williams will lead a worksh springhill group counselling, springhill, group, counselling More Tags by omarvelo | Dec 02, 2011 at 08:57  HEALTH BOARD- In The News - Springhill Group Counselling  SYLVIA THOMPSON German psychotherapist Bert Hellinger has developed an approach to dealing with relationship problems, financial distress, addictions and career troubles that is based on the idea that self-limiting beliefs can be inherited from previous generations. Julie Williams will lead a worksh springhill group counselling, springhill, group, counselling More Tags by springhillgroup | Dec 01, 2011 at 17:42 "Even the Wall Street jobs require skill, knowing how the stock market work, knowing how people work, etc.   Even saying ""that luck is the main factor in the majority of cases of great wealth"" is still wrong.   Really the only time luck is the real reason is non skill based gambling games (lottery, slots, etc), inheritance, and finding a wallet on the side of the road/street" Assuming the stock was worth more at the time she gave it to you than when she bought it, the cost basis would be the amount that she bought it for. You would then pay tax on the increase in value from that time.  Generally it's better to inherit assets than receive them as gifts, since the cost basis of inherited assets is raised to the value at the time of the death of the one leaving the inheritance. You will probably need to find some record of the original amount paid so you can determine the right cost basis. First, don't borrow any more money.  You're probably bankrupt right now at that income level.  2k/month is poverty level income, especially in some of the higher cost of living areas of California.  At $2k per month of income, and $1300 of rent and utilities, you've only got 700 a month for food.  The student loans are probably in deferment while your husband is in school.  If so, keep them that way and deal with them when he lands a career track goal after grad school.   The car loan is more than you can afford.  Seriously consider selling the car to get rid of the note.  Then use the cash flow that was going to the car loan to pay off the 'other' debt.  A car is usually a luxury, but if it is necessary, be sure it is one that doesn't include a loan.   Budget all of your income (consider using YNAB or something like it).  Include a budget item to build an emergency fund.  Live within your means and look for ways to supplement your income.  With three of your own, you'd probably make an excellent baby sitter. As for the inheritance, find a low risk, liquid investment, such as 12 month CDs or savings bonds.  Something that you can liquidate without penalty if an emergency arises.  Save the money for if you get into a situation where there is no other way out.  Hopefully you can have your emergency fund built up so that you don't need to draw on the inheritance.   Set a date, grad school + landing + 90 days.  If you reach that date and haven't had to use the inheritance, and you have a good emergency fund, put the inheritance in a retirement fund and forget about it. Why retirement fund and not a college fund for the kids?  The best gift you can give them is to remain financially independent throughout your life.  If you get to the point where you are fully funding your tax advantaged retirement savings, and you are ready to start wealth-building, that is the time to take part of that cash flow and set it aside for college funds. You can calculate the fully diluted shares by comparing EPS vs diluted (adjusted) EPS as reported in 10K. I don't believe they report the number directly, but it is a trivial math exercise to reach it. The do report outstanding common stock (basis for EPS). Generally, when I run across this kind of situation, I look for the Investor Relations section of the corporate website for a 'Stock Information' (or similar) tab or link.   This usually contains information explaining the different shares classes, how they relate (if at all), voting and/or dividend rights, and taxation differences for the different classes. However, I have trouble finding such a page on a central BYD corporate investor relations page.   I did find this page detailing the HK1211 shares: http://www.byd.com/investor/base_information.html.  I don't know what or why, but something tells me this is an older page. Searching on, I also found this page which looks newer and clarifies that the difference you are seeing is between 'A' and 'H' shares. http://www.byd.cn/BYDEnglish/basic/article.jsp?articleId=1524676.  (I'm guessing but I'd think somewhere in the announcements on this byd.cn site, you may find more details of any structural differences between share classes -- I just didn't want to page through them all.) I have inherited property worth close to 1 million US Dollars. 1 Million USD is a large amount considering Bangladesh. Around 80 Million Taka; making someone with this amount amongst the high net worth individual. Check if this is not a scam as indicated in comments.  What is the proper procedure for him to send me the money to US? As per Bangladesh Foreign Exchange Regulation Act; there are limitations to transfer of funds outside of Bangladesh. Read the detail guideline, section 11 Private Remittance is relevant. However your specific case is not detailed. A professional help is advised as there would be paperwork required. What are our legal and tax obligations? Tax obligations in US, as indicated by Michael in his answer. I don't think that you will be able to find a list of every owner for a given stock. There are probably very few people who would know this. One source would be whoever sends out the shareholder meeting mailers.  I suspect that the company itself would know this, the exchange to a lesser extent, and possibly the brokerage houses to a even lesser extent. Consider these resources: