FAQs
Get answers to your questions—from client service to investing.
It depends on where you live.
If you’re a resident of AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, IA, ID, KS, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, or WY, or a member of Armed Forces America or Armed Forces Pacific:
For standard delivery, mail to:
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
P.O. Box 52114
Phoenix, AZ 85072-2114
For overnight delivery, mail to:
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
2423 E. Lincoln Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85016
If you’re a resident of AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV, American Samoa, Guam, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands, or a member of Armed Forces Europe:
For standard delivery, mail to:
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
P.O. Box 628291
Orlando, FL 32862-8291
For overnight delivery, mail to:
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
1958 Summit Park Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32810
Going paperless is a simple process—here’s how you do it:
- Log in to your account and follow this path: Service > Account Settings > Alert Preferences > Paperless Services.
- Check the box beside “Consent to receive paperless documents” and click Submit.
- Select the account(s) you’d like to make paperless.
- Assign the email address you’d like to use for your paperless email notification.
Use your iPhone®, iPad® or Android™ device to manage your Schwab Accounts, trade, transfer, and more.
Schwab Mobile is now available in the iTunes Store® and Android Market™.
Learn more and get the apps for Schwab Mobile and Schwab OnInvesting® magazine for iPad.
First time logging in? Here’s how it works:
- Go to Schwab.com.
- Click on the “Log in” link at the top of the page.
- Click on the “New User” link next to the Login ID form field.
- Follow the simple instructions to set up your Login ID and password.
Be sure to have your account number close at hand.
If you've forgotten your Login ID or password, just click on the “Forgot your password?” link or call us anytime at 800-435-4000.Yes. Just call us at 800-435-4000 and we’ll help you take care of it.
If you have previously set up a secret question and answer for your account, you can go to “Log in” (at the top of any Schwab.com page) and select “Forgot your password?” After you correctly answer your secret question, you can reset your password online.
If you already have another Schwab account that you reach by logging in to schwab.com:
- Go to schwab.com
- At the very top of the page to the left of the Search box click on the "Log in" and select "schwab.com" from the drop-down list.
- Enter your Schwab login ID and password.
- After logging in, click on your Schwab 529 account number to view detailed information and manage your account.
- Go to schwab.com
- At the very top of the page to the left of the Search box click on the "Log in" link.
- Select "Schwab 529" or "Learning Quest® 529" in the drop-down list, depending on which 529 plan you participate in.
- Enter your User Name and Password (This is the user name and password you selected when you applied for your 529 account online, or when you enrolled the account for online access.)
If you have other Schwab accounts and this is your first time logging in:
- Go to schwab.com.
- At the very top of the page to the left of the Search box click on the "Log in" link and select "schwab.com" from the drop-down list. To the right of the "Login ID" box, click on the "New User?" link.
- Follow the simple instructions to set up your Login ID and password. You’ll see all of your Schwab accounts, including your 529 plan, once you log in.
If you need further assistance, call 888-903-3863to speak with a Schwab 529 client service specialist.
To access your statements online, log in to Schwab.com. Then, go to schwab.com/reports, or follow this path: Accounts > History > Statements and Reports.
You can search for, view, and print documents from the past 10 years—for both brokerage and Schwab Bank accounts.
Once you find the statement(s) you’re looking for, just click the link name and the document will open in PDF format (this may take a couple of minutes).Adobe® Reader® is required to view or print forms that are available as PDF files. You can download Adobe Reader here.
You’ll need to begin from within the Quicken software environment, rather than from Schwab.com.
During the setup process, you will be prompted for a Customer ID or Login ID and password—you can use the same Login ID and password you use to access Schwab.com.
You can then download your account transactions from your Schwab One® and your linked Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking® account to Intuit’s Quicken.
You can see images of your cleared checks—front and back—at Schwab.com for up to a year after they’ve cleared. Here’s how:
- Log in and click the Accounts tab, then click the History link in the toolbar.
- Near the top of the screen, you’ll find a drop-down menu containing your account numbers. Select your checking account number and your checking history will appear, listed as “Posted Transactions.”
- To the right of the transaction dates, you’ll see the word “Check” paired with a check number.
- Click on a particular check number to view it.
- To print, click Print in the upper right corner of the check image.
*If you need a copy of a check from your Schwab One brokerage account, please call 800-435-4000.
The routing number for all Charles Schwab Bank accounts is 121202211.
Schwab MoneyLink® is a free service that allows you to transfer funds between your Schwab brokerage account and other financial institutions at regularly scheduled intervals and/or upon request. You can sign up for MoneyLink at Schwab.com, or you can mail in an application using either the MoneyLink Enrollment form or, for IRAs, the MoneyLink section of the IRA Distribution Request form.
Transfer frequency options:- Transfer frequency can be set to regular intervals—weekly, monthly, a specific day each month, and many more.
- Minimum amount: $0.01 per transaction using Client Central or $1 using Schwab.com
- Maximum amount: $100,000 per transaction ($100,000 is the default for request transfers if no maximum amount is specified)
If you apply online, you should be able to begin using MoneyLink within two to three business days.
If you choose to mail in an application, you should be able to begin using MoneyLink within one to two weeks.
Please be aware that account eligibility and restrictions may apply.
There are three ways to request a withdrawal from your 529 account:
- Visit the Schwab 529 College Savings Plan page.
- Call the Schwab 529 team at 888-903-3863.
- Complete and submit a Withdrawal Request Form.
All withdrawals from 529 accounts are either “qualified” or “nonqualified.” A qualified withdrawal meets the following four conditions:
- The student is attending an eligible educational institution.
- The assets are being used for qualified educational expenses, including tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for enrollment and room and board (equivalent to the cost of on-campus housing for students attending at least half-time).
- For Kansas residents only, the 529 account must have been established at least 12 months before the distribution was made—otherwise, the state tax deduction may have to be forfeited. (There is no required time period for non-Kansas residents.)
- The withdrawal must be made payable to the beneficiary (or to the beneficiary and the eligible educational institution). A qualified withdrawal cannot be made payable to the account owner.
Any distributions that do not meet the above criteria are considered nonqualified withdrawals.
Taxes and penalties:
- All withdrawn funds must be used for qualified educational expenses at an eligible institution to avoid incurring a penalty.
- Nonqualified withdrawals can be made at any time (with a penalty).
- Only the account owners may request withdrawals from the account.
- The earnings portion of a nonqualified withdrawal may be subject to federal and state income tax and a 10% federal penalty. The person ultimately receiving the funds (either the account owner or the beneficiary) will need to report the withdrawal on their personal income tax return.
More questions? Call 888-903-3863.
Please note that Schwab does not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult professionals in these fields to address your specific needs.
If you have at least $5,000 in cash or marginable securities in your account, you may borrow from your brokerage account. Keep in mind that the amount you can borrow on margin toward the purchase of securities is typically limited to 50% of the value of the marginable securities in your account.
Schwab calculates your actual buying power for you. To see your current buying power, log in and look for the Margin Details callout on the right side of your Account Balances page.
You can also confirm loan eligibility by calling a Schwab investment professional at 866-713-8384.You’ll need to provide your Schwab account number along with the name(s) and registration information on your Schwab account. While Schwab charges no fees for the incoming wire transfers, you should know that the sending bank may charge fees of its own.
Transferring to a Schwab account from within the U.S.For brokerage or IRA accounts:
U.S. dollar amount
Destination Bank: Citibank N.A., New York
Bank ABA: 021000089
For Account: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Account Number: 4055-3953
Bank Address: 111 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005
For Further Credit to: [You’ll need your account number and the name(s) listed on your account to ensure that it is properly credited.]
U.S. dollar amount
Destination Bank: Citibank N.A., New York
SWIFT ID: CITIUS33
For Account: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Account Number: 4060-7595
Bank Address: 111 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005
For Further Credit to: [You’ll need your account number and the name(s) listed on your account to ensure that it is properly credited.]
You can sign up for MoneyLink at Schwab.com, or you can mail in an application using either the MoneyLink Enrollment form or, for IRAs, the MoneyLink section of the IRA Distribution Form.
If you apply online, you should be able to begin using MoneyLink within two to three business days.
If you mail in an application, you should be able to begin using MoneyLink within one to two weeks.
Please be aware that account eligibility and restrictions may apply.
Before investing, carefully consider the plan's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This information and more about the plans can be found in the Schwab 529 Guide and Participation Agreement available from Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., and should be read carefully before investing. You may request a Schwab 529 Guide and Participation Agreement by calling 800-435-4000 or going to schwab.com/529. If you are not a Kansas taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the beneficiary's home state offers a 529 plan that provides its taxpayers with state tax and other benefits not available through this plan. Tax and financial aid treatment of 529 plans is subject to change. As with any investment, it is possible to lose money by investing in this plan.
The Schwab 529 College Savings Plan is available through Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., and is managed by American Century Investment Management, Inc. The Plan was created by the Kansas State Legislature under the provisions of Section 529 of the Internal Revenue code and is administered by Kansas State Treasurer Ron Estes, CPA. Notice: Accounts established under the Schwab 529 Plan and their earnings are neither insured nor guaranteed by the State of Kansas, the Kansas State Treasurer, American Century Investment or Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Accounts established under the Schwab 529 Plan are domiciled at American Century Investment and not at Schwab.
*Source: Zephyr StyleADVISOR.
As a Schwab client, you are eligible to sign up for a portfolio consultation, at no cost, to discuss your investment mix with a Schwab consultant and receive specific recommendations.
Another option is to use the Schwab Portfolio Analysis tool, which considers both your tolerance for risk and your expected needs over time in order to help you determine the right portfolio for you.
If you're new to investing, Schwab can help you with all you need to know about How to Invest, our online guide with tips and information on planning a portfolio mix that can best meet your needs and goals.
Charles Schwab Investment Advisory, Inc. (CSIA), an affiliate of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., develops and makes available the Mutual Fund OneSource Select List®. This list highlights the most favorably evaluated OneSource funds1 ithin each Morningstar Category.
CSIA builds this list by analyzing the actively managed funds tracked by Morningstar, using quantitative and qualitative selection criteria.
Schwab Equity Ratings® is our proprietary methodology for identifying the stocks we believe will outperform or underperform the market over the next 12 months.2 This industry-leading guidance is available to all Schwab clients.
Every week, Schwab Equity Ratings will rate approximately 3,000 of the largest (by market capitalization) stocks headquartered or incorporated in the U.S. and in certain foreign nations where companies typically locate or incorporate for operational or tax reasons. That’s nearly double the number rated by most other brokerage firms—and unlike traditional brokerage firms, we rate an equal number of stocks “buys” as we do “sells.” We also offer easy-to-use ratings, ranked from A to F, making it easier for you to incorporate Schwab Equity Ratings into your portfolio right away.
An ETF (exchange-traded fund) contains a portfolio of securities, such as stocks or bonds, and it trades intra-day on an exchange. It can be a low-cost way to put together a diversified portfolio.
ETFs can provide diversified exposure to a particular segment of the market, to a specific industry, or to a geographical region. Find out more about this form of investing.
1. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (member SIPC) receives remuneration from fund companies in the Mutual Fund OneSource® program for recordkeeping and shareholder services, and other administrative services.
2. Schwab Equity Ratings and the general buy/hold/sell guidance are not personal recommendations for any particular investor or client and do not take into account the financial, investment or other objectives or needs of, and may not be suitable for, any particular investor or client. Investors and clients should consider Schwab Equity Ratings as only a single factor in making their investment decision while taking into account the current market environment.
Investors should carefully consider information contained in the prospectus, including investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. You can request a prospectus by calling Schwab at 800-435-4000. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.
Investment returns will fluctuate and are subject to market volatility, so that an investor's shares, when redeemed or sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
Certificates of Deposit available through Schwab CD One Source offer a fixed rate of return and are FDIC insured and are offered through Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Cost Basis Reporting
The legislation applies to securities acquired on or after the effective date as follows:
- January 1, 2011, for stocks and other equities
- January 1, 2012, for mutual funds, ETFs, and Dividend Reinvestment Plan ("DRIP") shares
- January 1, 2013, for other securities (e.g., fixed income and options)
- Starting with the 2011 tax year, the Form 1099 Composite will be revised to contain cost basis information for both covered and uncovered securities. This includes: cost basis, date acquired, long-term or short-term holding period, wash sale disallowed amount, covered or uncovered status. We will only report cost basis information for covered transactions to the IRS.
- Any Mutual funds, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), and Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRIPs) acquired on or after January 1, 2012 are considered covered by the legislation and Schwab will begin reporting cost basis on these transactions for tax year 2012.
- Average Cost is the default cost basis method for mutual funds. The default method for ETFs and DRIPs is first in first out (FIFO),
- You may change to or from Average Cost as a default method, To do so requires a written letter of authorization (LOA).
- S corporations will be subject to Form 1099-B for covered securities acquired in 2012. This means that for S corporations, we will report total proceeds and cost basis information for covered securities purchased and then sold on or after January 1, 2012, to the IRS.
Covered under the legislation, on or after these dates:
Equities: January 1, 2011
Mutual funds, ETFs, DRIPs: January 1, 2012
Other securities: January 1, 2013
Gifts
If you sell securities you receive as a gift, your cost basis is the same as the basis of the previous owner. However, if you sell at a loss, the basis is either the same as the previous owner’s basis or the value of the stock at the time of the gift, whichever is lower. This means that you cannot write off a loss that occurred while the donor owned the securities.
What Schwab will do:
Unless we're instructed otherwise, we will identify shares that move from one owner to another as gifted, and the cost basis will reflect the value of the stock at the time ownership changes.
If you're gifting shares, you can instruct Schwab to select a specific tax lot in the gift request.
TIP: If you receive securities as a gift, ask your benefactor for cost basis information—and keep it in your records.
Inheritances
The cost basis for inherited securities is usually the value of the security on the previous owner’s date of death or on an alternate date specified by the executor. You are responsible only for the appreciation after you inherit the stock.
What Schwab will do: For securities identified as inherited, Schwab will base the cost basis on the date of death, unless you notify us that an alternate valuation date has been established by the executor.
Cost Basis Methods
Cost Basis Methods:
| FIFO (First In First Out) | Shares you acquired first are sold first. This is Schwab's default method for all securities except mutual funds. | |
| LIFO (Last In First Out) | Shares you acquired last are sold first. | |
| High Cost | Shares with the highest cost are sold first. | |
| Low Cost | Shares with lowest cost are sold first. | |
| Tax Lot Optimizer | Lots are selected and sold with the objective of taking losses first (short-term then long-term) and gains last (long-term then short-term). Specifically, lots sold are selected in the following order: | |
| Short-term losses | ||
| Long-term Losses | Lots reflecting long-term losses are sold, from greatest long-term loss to least long-term loss. | |
| Short-term, no gains nor losses | Short-term lots that reflect no gain nor loss. | |
| Long-term, no gains nor losses | Long-term lots that reflect no gain nor loss. | |
| Long-term Gains | Lots reflecting long-term gains from least long-term gain to greatest long-term gain | |
| Short-term Gains | Lots that reflect a short-term gain, beginning with lots that generate the least short-term gain up to the greatest short-term gain | |
| Average Cost (for mutual funds, ETFs & DRIPs only) |
Computed by dividing the total dollar amount invested in a particular fund position by the number of shares held prior to the trade date. Shares are removed in FIFO order. | |
| Specified Lot | Allows you to assign specific lots to be sold at the time of trade up until settlement date. Specified Lot is not a default cost basis method—when you want to use it for a trade, simply contact a Schwab service representative. | |
Form 1099 Composite
The revised 1099-B will now include cost basis information for both covered (reported to IRS) and uncovered (not reported to IRS but reported to clients as a service). Cost basis information includes: cost basis, date of acquisition, wash sale disallowed loss amount, covered status and holding period information.
Wash Sales
Example: On October 31 you sell 100 shares of ABC at a loss. On November 3 you buy 100 shares of ABC. The sale on October 31 is a wash sale.
Consequences of a wash sale
- You can't claim your loss on the sale as a tax deduction.
- Your loss on a wash sale is added to the cost basis of the replacement purchase.
- When you sell the replacement stock, you’ll realize the benefit of the previously disallowed loss. See example
- Your holding period for the replacement stock includes the holding period of the stock you sold, so you can't convert a long-term loss into a short-term loss to take advantage of short-term tax deductions. See example.
- Disallow any loss from the original sale, and add it proportionately to the cost basis of the repurchased shares. The disallowed loss will allow be sent to the IRS on the Form 1099-B.
- Adjust the holding period to reflect the holding period of the original open lot(s) plus any days that the position was not held.
- If you have filed a 475(f)(1) election with the IRS, the wash sale rule may not apply to you. Discuss your situation with a Schwab trading consultant.
Forms and Applications
Whether you’d like to open an account, transfer funds, or work on your taxes, the forms you need are just a click away.
Transfer Your Account to Schwab
IRA Distribution Request Form
Traditional IRA
Get more forms.
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Schwab does not provide legal or tax advice. Consult professionals in these fields to address your specific circumstance.