Tom Davison and William Whitaker
NEW! The beginning of 2013 brought notable shifts in tax rates for people at higher income levels. Part 1 surveys the important tax changes and considers their impact on planning.
Tom Davison and William Whitaker
NEW! The beginning of 2013 brought notable changes in tax rates for people at higher income levels. Part 2 looks at planning strategies involving capital gains rates, the AMT, and ISOs, and considers general ideas related to income-shifting.
Alan B. Ungar
NEW! The American Taxpayer Relief Act and the Affordable Care Act introduced tax-rate increases you need to consider in deciding when to exercise stock options, when to sell company stock, and how to plan around income from restricted stock vesting. This article explains the changes in tax law and suggests strategies for minimizing the new taxes.
W.E.B. Bantling
Market volatility and declines rattle even the most experienced holders of stock compensation (and their advisors). Here are 10 topics I find myself discussing over and over again with my best clients.
Tom Davison and Liam Hurley
UPDATED FOR 2013! The time right after you have completed your tax return is ideal for big-picture financial planning. You can more accurately project your income and likely tax situation for the remainder of this year and the next, including AMT risk and capital-loss carry-forwards, to develop your strategy.
Tom Davison and Liam Hurley
UPDATED FOR 2013! Your tax return can help you develop your stock option strategy. With your return in hand, make projections for your income, taxes, AMT risk, and use of capital-loss carry-forwards. Next, review the details of your stock plan documents to develop an exercise program.
Richard Friedman
Understand financial planning for restricted stock and RSUs. Part 1 discusses the growing popularity of these grants, their special features, and the related tax planning.
Tom Davison and William Whitaker
"My income is around half a million dollars, and I'm paying the alternative minimum tax. It's annoying, and I feel trapped. Now what?" Surprisingly, the best move may be to increase income, and pay even more alternative minimum tax! Find out why by reading this intriguing article.
Bruce Brumberg
Employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs) are changing in many ways, largely in response to accounting rules. For Part 2, myStockOptions.com asked financial and wealth advisors what they are recommending to clients about ESPP participation.
Chris Murphy
Even when stock markets are depressed, there are still opportunities to achieve gains from stock compensation. This article presents a range of ideas to considerr: buying stock now to swap later, exercising and holding ISOs, or making a Section 83(b) election for restricted stock.
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Two features in the new law affect your Medicare tax and any planning to minimize it. For people whose yearly income is above certain thresholds, the Medicare tax on both compensation and investment income increased in 2013, when...
Before you rush into exercising, you may want to do some calculations with potential future stock prices and tax rates. When you exercise earlier than necessary...
There's no requirement for which vested options you must exercise first. The decision of which options to exercise first is part of your...
For restricted stock, you can make what the tax code calls a Section 83(b) election to be taxed immediately at grant instead of later at vesting, when your stock price, and thus your tax rate, may be much higher. However, before you make your decision, realize that...
Perhaps, depending on the structure of the plan. In general, the IRS wants to know about the foreign assets of US taxpayers to be sure taxes are paid on any earnings. There are two major reporting requirements for US taxpayers who have offshore holdings that qualify for disclosure...
This depends on several factors. Below we present 10 ideas...
Before you even analyze the decision, you should learn the basic facts and risks of the Section 83(b) election. Once you understand it, the election can make sense in certain circumstances, including...
The tax treatment is the same as it is for donations of any stock to a qualified charity. When you have held the stock for more than one year...
Stock ownership guidelines specify how much company stock you must own in total or as a multiple of salary. Most companies count in the calculation the...
Although stock ownership guidelines are more common, retention mandates and requirements for CEOs and senior executives have become popular, as shown by survey data and corporate proxy statement disclosures. Supporters of share retention rules believe they show...
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CFP® Credit
Tax errors can be costly! Don't draw unwanted attention from the IRS. Our Tax Center explains and illustrates the tax rules for sales of company stock, W-2s, withholding, estimated taxes, AMT, and more.
Test and improve your knowledge with our Financial Planning quiz and its study guide in the answer key.
Advisors, Have You Heard About MSO Pro?
Tax Planning For Options, Restricted Stock, And ESPPs After 2013 Tax Law Changes: High-Income Taxpayers Impacted Most (Part 1) 
