why escrow attorney asks for cost basis in properties I'm selling

[Maggie W.]

The escrow attorney, chosen by the buyer, asks for the cost basis in properties I'm selling, basically how much I've invested in them. I've never heard this question before from an Escrow lawyer and I'm wondering: what if I refuse to answer? My price is my price, and the lawyer shouldn't care what the price is or what I've invested in the improvements.