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NQSOs

Nonqualified stock options are the most common type of option. Browse an overview of this section below, or explore the subtopics to the left.

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How Tax Rate Changes Impact Your Stock Grant Strategies (Part 1): Nonqualified Stock Options This is premium content

Stanley Trotta with Robert Gordon
For now, it appears we have dodged a tax-increase bullet. However, President Obama's proposals will probably raise taxes after 2010. Should you take action with stock options now or wait until new rates apply? Part 1 looks at nonqualified stock options.

Stockbrokers' Secrets (Part 3): Year-End Planning For NQSOs, Restricted Stock, And RSUs

W.E.B. Bantling and Michael Beriss
UPDATED FOR 2009! The time for tax planning is before the year ends; tax season is too late. For year-end 2009, learn about several ideas that apply to nonqualified stock options (NQSOs) and restricted stock/RSUs. Meanwhile, look ahead at the likelihood of tax rate changes under President Obama.

Stock Option Financial Planning After Your Tax Return Is Filed And At Year-End (Part 1) This is premium content

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.

How To Report Sales Of Company Stock

The myStockOptions.com Tax Team
UPDATED FOR 2009! Learn how to report your sales of company stock on Schedule D of IRS Form 1040. Our comprehensive guide to Schedule D reporting covers sales of stock from nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, employee stock purchase plans, and stock appreciation rights.

Avoid Tax Return Mistakes With Stock Options & ESPPs: What You Need To Know In 2009

Bruce Brumberg and Lynnette Khalfani
Tax returns can be onerous. Read this article if you are puzzled by Form 1099-B or don't know how and where to report sales of company stock from options or employee stock purchase plans.

Taking An Overseas Assignment: Stock Compensation For Mobile Employees (Part 1) This is premium content

Mark Miller
UPDATED! For employees and executives, international travel and relocation are increasingly common. The taxation of "mobile employees" is always complex, and never more than with equity compensation. Part 1 introduces the key concepts and rules, including the sourcing and apportioning of income.

Taking An Overseas Assignment: Stock Compensation For Mobile Employees (Part 2) This is premium content

Mark Miller
International assignments or relocations can present attractive opportunities for career advancement. However, the taxation of equity compensation for mobile employees raises complex issues. Part 2 looks at specific scenarios, withholding taxes, and tax equalization.

How The Bush Tax Cuts Still Affect Your Stock Option Planning

Tom Davison
Even under President Barack Obama, the Bush administration's 2003 tax cuts and later extensions will continue to affect tax strategies for NQSOs, ISOs, and restricted stock. Unless these tax laws change soon, many of them will persist through 2010.

Stock Option Fundamentals (Part 3): Income Taxes And Withholding This is premium content

Marilyn Renninger
Here's some advice for financial fitness: take stock of taxes before you exercise! When and how you exercise your stock options can have a major impact on how much tax and which taxes you'll pay.

Stock Option Fundamentals (Part 4): NQSO Taxation This is premium content

Marilyn Renninger
You're ready to delve deeper into how and when different taxes apply to NQSOs. You need to consider taxes at exercise and at sale to put together a strategy that maximizes the value of your options.

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How is the spread at exercise of an NQSO taxed for federal income-tax purposes?


The full spread is included in your gross income for the year of exercise as ordinary income...

For NQSOs or SARs exercised on the last business day of 2009, or for restricted stock that vests on that day, is the income taxable in 2009 or 2010?


All exercises with an exercise date in 2009, and all restricted stock with a vesting date in 2009, will be included in 2009 taxes and on your W-2 for 2009, and will count...

When I hold NQSO shares after exercise, what tax applies when I later sell the stock?


Capital gains tax applies on the amount of your gains above...

Is the spread at exercise of a nonqualified stock option subject to Social Security taxes? This is premium content


Yes. The spread at exercise of an NQSO is "wages" for purposes of...

Is the spread at exercise of a nonqualified stock option subject to federal unemployment taxes? This is premium content


Yes. There is a federal tax...

Is the spread at exercise of a nonqualified stock option subject to state and local taxes? This is premium content


Many states, along with some counties and cities, impose...

May I have my employer withhold more taxes upon my exercise of an NQSO than the minimum required amount? This is premium content


Whether you can withhold more or not, the mandatory federal withholding rate...

Can I deduct the state tax that was withheld from my NQSO exercise? This is premium content


Generally, state and local income taxes are an itemized deduction on your...

After I exercise NQSOs, will I need to make estimated tax payments? This is premium content


At a minimum, when you exercise your stock options, your company will withhold taxes at the required federal withholding rate for supplemental income. However, depending on your income, this minimum withholding may not be enough. If so, you will need to...

How is fair market value determined for W-2 reporting of NQSO taxable income at exercise and for tax withholding? This is premium content


To calculate the taxable income at exercise, your company subtracts your exercise price from the fair market value (FMV) of the stock at exercise. Approaches to this FMV calculation depend on...

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Annotated diagram of Schedule DTax 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.

Featured FAQs
UPDATED! My company's stock is now essentially worthless because of securities fraud by senior executives. Can I claim a casualty or theft loss on my tax return? This is premium content
A casualty or theft loss would allow you to deduct the lost amount against your ordinary income, subject to some limits. However, Treasury regulations and court rulings would probably stand in your way. Nevertheless, what you can do is...
Can stock grant income affect my eligibility for the Making Work Pay Credit available under the 2009 stimulus law?
Yes. The credit has income limits, so a big enough spike in your income during 2009 from a stock option exercise or the vesting of restricted stock could...
What is the tax impact on me if my company modifies outstanding stock options or SARs, such as by extending the option term? This is premium content
With approval from the board, and perhaps also shareholders, your company can modify outstanding grants in a way that is consistent with its stock plan. However, it should avoid tax pitfalls for you and the company, such as...