I write about employee stock options and equity compensation in a way that is easy to understand.
A stock appreciation right, or SAR, is a compensation tool that employers can use to attract and retain key employees. Like non-qualified stock options and incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights allow you to benefit from appreciating stock prices should the company’s stock price increase.
You can develop concentrated equity positions in your investment portfolio when you own or control a single stock that makes up a significant part of your overall allocation. While there are many reasons this can happen, one common way people find themselves with a...
The decision to exercise your employee stock options can be a difficult one, regardless of whether you have incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options. You have to consider potential tax implications, whether or not you have the necessary cash flow to...
Restricted stock units, or RSUs, are often used as part of a compensation package for a key employee. Employers may offer restricted stock units in place of providing cash directly through a pay bump or raise. If you have restricted stock units, you have a right to...
When it’s time to exercise your employee stock options, you generally have one of two options to consider: you can do either a cash exercise or a cashless exercise. The right choice for your situation will depend on a number of factors specific to your finances, your...
When the time comes to exercise your non-qualified stock options, you may find yourself asking about the process, the cost, and how it actually happens. This may lead you to ask whether to do a cash exercise or a cashless exercise. Many people default to a cashless...
For those who are self-employed, the question of how to save for retirement is a frequent one. Fortunately, the answer may not be that that difficult at all. In fact, being self employed may mean that you have more retirement planning opportunities than you otherwise...
The income tax rules for an exercise of non-qualified stock options are relatively straightforward. You generally do not owe taxes when you are granted non-qualified stock options. You don’t owe when your non-qualified stock options vest, either. This no-tax timeframe...
If you have incentive stock options, you may be familiar with the alternative minimum tax (AMT), and potentially the alternative minimum tax credit. The alternative minimum tax is a complicating factor that may rear its head in a year that you exercise and hold...
An employee stock purchase plan, or ESPP, is an employee benefit that allows employees to purchase company stock via payroll deductions. If you have an ESPP, you can often purchase shares at a discounted price to the fair market value. Some companies offer a discount...
Whether you’re just getting started or expanding your knowledge, here are some resources to get you started.
Understand what you have, what you should consider, and what ultimately matters to you.
I write about equity compensation and employee stock options in a way that is easy to understand.
Understand what you have, what you should consider, and what ultimately matters to you.
Get the Ultimate Guide to Incentive Stock Options to better understand your equity compensation.
