W.E.B. Bantling and Michael Beriss
UPDATED FOR 2008! Every year, during tax season, we get tax-planning calls. Of course, by then it's too late. The time for tax planning is
before the year ends. For year-end 2008, learn about several planning concerns that apply to stock options and restricted stock. Meanwhile, look ahead at the likelihood of tax rate changes under the new president.
Michael Beriss
Managing your stock options is one of the most complex financial challenges you will face. These 10 rules will help you get the most out of your company's stock plan.
Martin Nissenbaum
UPDATED FOR 2008! You are doing some year-end or year-beginning tax planning with your stock options and company stock. While investment objectives, not tax considerations, should generally drive your decisions, here are 10 ideas to review to prevent paying more taxes than necessary.
Tom Davison and Liam Hurley
Right after you have completed your taxes is a great time to do your 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. At the end of the year, review your analysis and strategy again.
Alan Ungar
The tax reductions of the past few years have brought both good and bad news for holders of incentive stock options (ISOs). While you may have lower capital gains rates when you hold the shares long enough after exercise, it's harder to avoid the risks of the alternative minimum tax (AMT) and to fully recoup any AMT credit.
Beth Walker
Avoid the mistakes others made during prior boom markets and downturns. Common mistakes arise in nine different situations, including termination, mergers, financial planning, term expiration, and life events.
Beth Walker
Avoid the errors that many people have made, including mistakes that stem from major life events and taxes.
Tim Kochis
Once your stock options vest, you need a strategy to maximize their wealth-building value. But no single strategy fits everyone. This article discusses various approaches to planning your option exercises.
Tim Kochis
Part 1 looked at the basic exercise strategy for optionholders but underlined several exceptions to the rule. This article considers reasons and strategies for diversifying away from a concentrated position in your company's stock.
W.E.B. Bantling
Market declines rattle even the most experienced stock option veterans (and their advisors). If you are less than fully prepared to cope with the emotional toll caused by an uncertain market, heed these 10 topics.
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In theory, when a company pays a dividend, particularly a large special dividend, its stock value declines by...
Qualified dividends do receive special tax treatment when they are part of your net capital gain. The amount of AMT is capped by the...
This depends on your income and net worth. Effective from June 17, 2008, the Heroes Earning Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 (HEART), which mostly gives benefits to members of the armed forces, includes a modification to the US exit tax (IRC Section 877A). If they meet certain conditions, US citizens...
No. Until you exercise a stock option, you do not have the rights of a...
To receive a dividend you must own a stock on the record date, so you want to be aware of the ex-dividend date. Also consider...
Dividends that are earned on restricted stock are considered compensation income, which is reported on your W-2...
Typically, though you cannot transfer them until vesting, shares of restricted stock are issued to you and are outstanding in your name. Therefore...
When a company pays dividends on outstanding shares of stock, it can choose...
There's no requirement for which vested options you must exercise first. The decision of which options to exercise first is part of your...
Instead of paying cash dividends, a small number of companies require...
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