The IRS' long-standing position was that such stock had no tax basis, so that when the shares were sold, the taxpayer owed tax on 100% of the proceeds of the sale. But after a long legal struggle, a federal court ruled that the IRS was wrong.
Rome in January and February can chill the bones but temperatures will rarely be sub-zero. Snow is extremely rare but rain is common and weather forecasts unpredictable at best. But many a tourist has left very happy as there always seems to be a respite where you can engage and complete your tourism duties.
In Southern Italy and Sicily, winters are quite mild with temperatures between 11 to 15 degrees Celsius (51 to 59 degrees Farenheit). Precipitations are not as frequent as in the rest of the country, although it usually does not snow. Italian weather in february.