stock options Archives

How Moving Across State Lines Could Impact Your Tax Bill (Especially if You Receive Equity Compensation)

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated Jul 22, 2025 | Equity Compensation

For one reason or another, you may find yourself packing up and moving to another state while still working for your employer. Perhaps you’re given the opportunity to work remotely,...

A Quick Take on the Tax Treatment of Incentive Stock Options

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated Jul 24, 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...

What Are the Key Differences Between Restricted Stock Units and Employee Stock Options?

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated Aug 22, 2025 | Equity Compensation, Restricted Stock

Restricted stock units and employee stock options are commonly-awarded types of equity compensation that you may receive as part of your overall pay from your employer. While both restricted stock...

What Is Cost Basis and Why Is It Important for Equity Compensation?

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated Jul 22, 2025 | Equity Compensation

If you have equity compensation, you may wonder how the value of the shares you hold may influence your tax bill -- or how vesting, exercising, and selling your shares...

When to Exercise and Sell Your Employee Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated May 27, 2025 | Equity Compensation, Strategies for Maximizing Equity Compensation, Wealth Accumulation

If you have equity compensation as part of your benefits package, you’ve likely spent time considering when it might be best to take action and maximize the value of these...

8 Steps To Take With Your Equity Compensation in the New Year

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated Jul 24, 2025 | Equity Compensation

A new year can be an opportune time to review your equity compensation package. Not only does this give you a clean slate to work with, but it also affords...

Should You Exercise and Sell All Your Employee Stock Options Right Now?

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated Jul 8, 2025 | Employee Stock Options

If you have employee stock options, you’ve probably spent time considering the absolute best time to exercise those options — and from there, whether you should sell or hold your...

6 Reasons to Exercise Your Incentive Stock Options When the Price Is Down

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated Jul 30, 2025 | Incentive Stock Options

No one likes to see a stock they own go down in value. When we buy stock, we hope the price rises so we can earn a profit on our...

How to Integrate Employee Stock Options into your Retirement Plan

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated May 27, 2025 | Retirement Planning

Traditional retirement planning is grounded in the belief that if you save early and save often, you’ll accumulate enough wealth to retire with the lifestyle that you want. Many people...

7 Steps To Handle Employee Stock Options During Market Volatility

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated Jul 8, 2025 | Employee Stock Options

If you own company stock or employee stock options, it's possible that you have experienced market volatility and have seen firsthand how a quick change in the stock price can...

Restricted Stock Units and the Terminology You Should Know

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated Aug 22, 2025 | Restricted Stock

Restricted stock units are a great way for companies to add an incentive to employee compensation packages. If you are receiving restricted stock units from your employer, understanding the various...

What You Need to Know About Employee Stock Options

by Daniel Zajac, CFP®, EA | Last updated May 27, 2025 | Employee Stock Options

Access to employee stock options represents an agreement between you and your employer that allows you to purchase a specified number of shares of the company’s stock at a fixed...