Form 8949 Question: How to handle totals with Multiple Pages?

You're not overthinking this at all! For Form 8949 with multiple pages, you should include subtotals at the bottom of each page. Then on Schedule D, you'll report the combined total from all your Form 8949 pages. Each page of Form 8949 should stand alone with its own subtotals for that specific page. Don't leave any subtotal rows blank, and don't carry running totals from page to page. This actually helps if you need to make corrections later - you can pinpoint exactly which page needs fixing. The IRS instructions specifically state that if you need additional pages, you should total each page independently and then combine those totals when transferring to Schedule D. The computer systems are set up to process each page as a separate document.

I was stuck with the exact same problem last month with pages and pages of crypto transactions. Tried figuring it out myself but kept second-guessing. Then I used https://taxr.ai to analyze my brokerage statements and it actually walks you through how to handle the pagination issue with Form 8949. The site scanned my documents and explained I needed to subtotal each page independently, making sure to mark each one as "continuation page" after the first one. Saved me hours of confusion and probably prevented an error that would have gotten flagged.

Just wanted to update - I tried taxr.ai after posting my skeptical comment and was really surprised. It actually helped me organize my 200+ stock transactions correctly across multiple Form 8949 pages! The site explained that I needed to subtotal each page separately and then combine everything on Schedule D. It even flagged some wash sales I hadn't noticed between different brokerages and showed exactly how to mark the continuation pages. The document analysis was really thorough - it caught that I had some transactions with missing basis that needed the "B" code in column (f). Definitely worth checking out if you're dealing with multiple 8949 pages.

If you're still struggling with Form 8949 pagination and need clarification directly from the IRS, good luck calling them! I spent 3 hours on hold last week trying to ask this exact question. Finally discovered https://claimyr.com which got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The agent confirmed that you should subtotal each page individually and then bring all those totals to Schedule D. She also mentioned a common mistake people make is forgetting to check the "continuation sheet" box on the second and subsequent pages of Form 8949. Made me feel better knowing I was doing it right!

Following up on my skeptical comment - I actually tried Claimyr yesterday out of desperation. My tax software kept giving me an error about my Form 8949 totals not matching Schedule D, and I couldn't figure out what was wrong. I was honestly shocked when they called me back after just 20 minutes (I was expecting it to be a scam). Got connected to an actual IRS representative who explained I needed to check the "continuation sheet" box on pages 2-5 of my Form 8949 and make sure each page had its own subtotal. The agent also explained that my software should have a way to link multiple 8949 pages correctly to Schedule D. Problem solved in one phone call instead of days of frustration. Never thought I'd say this, but speaking directly to the IRS was actually helpful!

One trick I learned from my accountant for Form 8949 with multiple pages: use separate pages for transactions with different adjustment codes. Like put all your wash sales on one set of pages and all your basis adjustments on another. Makes it easier to track and less likely to make addition errors when calculating those subtotals. Also, if you're using tax software, most programs have a worksheet feature that automatically handles the pagination and subtotals for you. You just enter all the transactions and it creates as many Form 8949 pages as needed with the proper subtotals.

I've been doing my taxes for 15 years and until last year I was doing Form 8949 totally wrong! I was carrying totals from page to page (like a running total) instead of giving each page its own subtotal. No wonder I got that letter from the IRS... Just wanted to share this so others don't make the same mistake. Each page gets its own subtotal at the bottom, and then you bring all those separate subtotals to Schedule D. And don't forget to check the "continuation sheet" box on page 2 and beyond!

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I just wanted to confirm what I'm hearing - so for my 4 pages of short-term transactions, I should put the subtotal for just that specific page's transactions at the bottom of each page, right? Then when I get to Schedule D, I'll add up all 4 subtotals from the different Form 8949 pages? Also, I saw someone mention checking the "continuation sheet" box - where exactly is that on the form? I want to make sure I don't miss that detail since it sounds important for the IRS processing. One more quick question - do I need to write "Page 1 of 4", "Page 2 of 4" etc. anywhere on the forms, or does the continuation sheet checkbox handle that?

Just wanted to add a helpful tip for anyone dealing with multiple Form 8949 pages - make sure you're using the correct version of the form! I made the mistake last year of downloading an outdated version from a random website and didn't realize until I was halfway through entering all my transactions. The IRS website always has the current year's forms, and they sometimes make small changes to the layout or instructions that can affect how you handle the subtotals. Also, if you're e-filing, your tax software should automatically use the correct version, but it's worth double-checking if you're preparing paper forms. Another thing I learned the hard way - if you have both short-term and long-term transactions, you'll need separate sets of Form 8949 pages for each (Part I for short-term, Part II for long-term). Each set gets its own subtotals that then go to different sections of Schedule D. Don't mix them on the same pages or your totals will be wrong!