Incentive Stock Options Archives

ISOs 101: Understanding Incentive Stock Options

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated May 20, 2025 | Incentive Stock Options

If you’re offered incentive stock options (ISOs) as part of your compensation package, you have an exciting opportunity ahead to build significant wealth. The key is to know what, exactly,...

What to Know About Your Post-Termination Exercise Window for Equity Compensation

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated May 19, 2025 | Employee Stock Options

Equity compensation is an effective tool for attracting and retaining highly qualified employees. But if you’re like most Americans, it’s unlikely you’ll remain with your current employer all the way...

When Intentionally Disqualifying ISOs at Year End May Make Sense

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated May 19, 2025 | Incentive Stock Options

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:...

Calculator,And,Pen,With,Papers,At,Office,Desk

A Quick Take on the Tax Treatment of Incentive Stock Options

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated May 19, 2025 | Considerations When You Have Significant Equity Compensation, Incentive Stock Options, Strategies for Maximizing Equity Compensation

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...

How are incentive stock options taxed?

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated May 13, 2025 | FAQ

If your employer has granted you incentive stock options (ISOs), you’ve probably read about the alternative minimum tax (AMT) and qualifying and disqualifying dispositions. Perhaps the complication has left you...

What are the advantages of Incentive Stock Options (ISOs)?

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated May 13, 2025 | FAQ

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...

Father,With,Son,Warm,Near,Campfire,,Drink,Tea,And,Have

Simplifying the Equity Compensation Complexities: Keep it, Spend it, or Save it

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated May 19, 2025 | Equity Compensation

If you’re wondering how to maximize the value of your incentive stock options (ISOs), non-qualified stock options (NQSOs), restricted stock units (RSUs), or other forms of equity compensation, you’re not...

Young,Female,Owner,Of,Online,Startup,Working,Overtime,At,Home

Comparing Incentive Stock Options and Non Qualified Stock Options

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated May 19, 2025 | Employee Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, 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,...

Why Exercising Incentive Stock Options When the Stock Price is Down May Not Be Your Best Strategy

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated May 19, 2025 | Incentive Stock Options

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...

Light,Bulb,With,Wood,House,On,The,Table,,A,Symbol

How Incentive Stock Options May Be Taxed: And Some Caveats About Seeking A Qualified Disposition

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated May 19, 2025 | Incentive Stock Options

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...

A Timeline of Events for Your Incentive Stock Options

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated May 19, 2025 | 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

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated May 19, 2025 | 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...