Incentive stock options (ISOs) are known far and wide for their preferential tax treatment on the total recognized gain—as long as you meet the holding period requirements for a qualified sale.
Category: Incentive Stock Options
When Intentionally Disqualifying ISOs at Year End May Make Sense
Deciding when to exercise, hold, and sell your incentive stock options (ISOs) is complicated, requiring you to manage several simultaneous financial variables, all at the same time. These include: Prices: Especially the strike price, the share price at exercise, and...
A Quick Take on the Tax Treatment of Incentive Stock Options
If your employer has granted you incentive stock options (ISOs), you’ve likely spent time researching the tax treatment. If so, you’ve probably read about the alternative minimum tax (AMT), and qualifying and disqualifying dispositions. Perhaps the complication has left you wondering: What does this mean to me as a taxpayer?
Comparing Incentive Stock Options and Non Qualified Stock Options
Non-qualified stock options and incentive stock options are the two types of employee stock options that you may receive as part of your compensation package. While they have some similarities, they also differ, particularly when speaking to how they may be taxed at exercise and upon the final sale of stock.
Why Exercising Incentive Stock Options When the Stock Price is Down May Not Be Your Best Strategy
Wouldn’t it be great if your company stock price only ever went up—especially if you’re participating in its growth through incentive stock options (ISOs)? Unfortunately, that’s not always how the world turns. If the share price goes down instead, you may be bummed to see the value of your incentive stock options is less than what it once was. However, a down stock price might mean that you could score some tax breaks if you exercise and hold some of those ISOs. When the price is down, the move might help minimize alternative minimum tax (AMT).
How Incentive Stock Options May Be Taxed: And Some Caveats About Seeking A Qualified Disposition
Who doesn’t love a great tax break? You and I can’t personally reverse a bear market or revise Federal regulations. But we do get to decide when and how to exercise, hold, and sell our incentive stock options (ISOs), dictating whether we have a qualified disposition or disqualified disposition. Why not make best use of your tax-planning powers when you do?
A Timeline of Events for Your Incentive Stock Options
If you are lucky enough to be granted incentive stock options (“ISOs”) as part of your compensation package, it’s important to understand the timeline of events.
6 Tips to Manage and Mitigate the Alternative Minimum Tax on Incentive Stock Options
Incentive stock options are a type of equity compensation you may receive as part of your overall compensation package. Incentive stock options, or ISOs, allow you to buy company stock at a fixed price for a set period of time, regardless of the current fair market value of the stock. In the best circumstances, incentive stock options can be a tool to generate significant wealth if…
8 Advantages of Incentive Stock Options You May Want to Know
Incentive stock options are a powerful compensation tool that can help you grow your wealth. Companies award them to employees as a retention vehicle, to reward specific successes or as an incentive when trying to attract new employees. There are several advantages to...
Tax Rates on Qualifying Dispositions of Incentive Stock Options May Offer a Tax Buffer – But Watch Out for Investment Risk
If you have stock options, then you can access an asset that provides you with a choice. Very literally, a stock option is an option; it’s a form of compensation that gives you the right (but not the obligation) to buy shares of company stock at a set price. Acting on...
Dive Deeper
Whether you’re just getting started or expanding your knowledge, here are some resources to get you started.
NEW! The Ultimate Guide to Equity Compensation
Understand what you have, what you should consider, and what ultimately matters to you.
Hi, I'm Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA
I write about equity compensation and employee stock options in a way that is easy to understand.
NEW! The Ultimate Guide to Equity Compensation
Understand what you have, what you should consider, and what ultimately matters to you.
FREE DOWNLOAD
Get the Ultimate Guide to Incentive Stock Options to better understand your equity compensation.