What are the different transaction types?

Here you will find a list of the various types that can be assigned to transactions in Banktivity. The definitions provided for banking transaction types are relatively loose; although some types force transaction amounts to be either positive or negative, the differences between these types are for the most part nominal. The transaction types for investment transactions are more strictly defined and affect the behavior of the transactions, so you should use discretion when choosing the appropriate type for these transactions.

Banking account transaction types:

• Deposit: Add funds to an account by any method.
• Withdrawal: Deduct funds from an account by any method.
• Transfer: Move funds from one account to another (for more information, see Account Transfers).
• Check: Withdraw funds by writing a paper check. Choosing this type will automatically insert a number in the '#' field (the next number in sequence from the last check recorded).

Investment account transaction types:

• Buy: Withdraw cash and purchase shares of a security.
• Sell: Deduct shares of a security and deposit cash from the sale.
• Buy to Open: Withdraw cash and purchase option contracts (to open a long position).
• Buy to Close: Close a short position (opened with "Sell to Open") by withdrawing cash and purchasing security shares or option contracts. Use this transaction type with a price of "0.00" to close a short position for contracts that expired or were exercised.
• Sell to Open: Open a short position by deducting security shares or option contracts and depositing cash from the sale.
• Sell to Close: Close a long position (opened with "Buy to Open") by deducting option contracts and depositing cash from the sale. Use this transaction type with a price of "0.00" to close a long position for contracts that expired or were exercised.
• Move Shares In: Add shares of a security without affecting the cash balance of your accounts. Entering a share price with this transaction type will adjust the cost basis for the corresponding security. Use this transaction type for recording stock grants, security transfers, and other share adjustments.
• Move Shares Out: Remove shares of a security without affecting the cash balance of your accounts or incurring a capital gain or loss. Cost basis is adjusted automatically with this transaction type. Use this transaction type for recording gifts of stock, security transfers, and other share adjustments.
• Transfer Shares: Add or remove shares of a security without affecting the cash balance of your accounts or incurring a capital gain or loss. This transaction type is mainly provided for compatibility with Banktivity for iOS. In most cases, Move Shares In and Move Shares Out are preferred.
• Split Shares: Record a stock split. Enter the number of shares gained as a result of the split, or in the case of a reverse split, enter the number of shares deducted.
• Investment Inc.: Deposit cash earned from any investment-related source.
• Dividend: Deposit cash received from the profit made on an investment. Use the distribution type to record a reinvestment instead of a cash dividend.
• Cap. Gains Short: Deposit cash received from a mutual fund, partnership, or hedge fund after the issuer sells short-term security shares (the number of shares you hold is not affected).
• Cap. Gains Long: Deposit cash received from a mutual fund, partnership, or hedge fund after the issuer sells long-term security shares (the number of shares you hold is not affected).
• Interest Inc.: Deposit cash earned as interest on a security (typically a bond).
• Return of Capital: Deposit cash received as a return of capital distribution that should not be treated as a dividend for tax purposes. The cost basis of your security holdings is also reduced by the same amount.

In addition to the primary transaction types, distribution types affect the behavior of investment transactions. For more information, see Investment Transactions.