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SARs

Learn about stock appreciation rights. Browse an overview of this section below, or explore the subtopics to the left.

Test Your KnowledgeTest and improve your knowledge with our Stock Appreciation Rights quiz and its study guide in the answer key.

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What You Need To Know About Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs): Part 1 This is premium content

Bruce Brumberg
Stock appreciation rights, referred to as SARs, will soon start showing up in equity grants at many companies. To help you understand SARs, Part 1 explains the "appreciation," the role of exercises, and taxes at exercise.

What You Need To Know About Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs): Part 2 This is premium content

Bruce Brumberg
UPDATED! Stock appreciation rights, referred to as SARs, are garnering interest among companies. Part 2 discusses taxes, IRS concerns, and why companies like SARs.

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.

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.

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What are stock appreciation rights (SARs), and how are SARs taxed? This is premium content


SARs, or "stock appreciation rights," are rights your company grants you to receive the value of appreciation in shares of its stock from the...

Does all the stock option content on this website also apply to stock appreciation rights (SARs)?


Much of the stock option content is relevant to SARs. All the key stock option features...

UPDATED! What do examples and surveys show about the effects mandatory expensing is having on my stock grants? This is premium content


A summary of data in surveys from 10 major consulting and research firms shows that...

Why are many companies considering stock appreciation rights (SARs) as an alternative to stock options? This is premium content


FAS 123(R) requires the expensing of stock options. This makes accounting for stock options and stock-settled SARs similar, leading some companies...

Are stock appreciation rights (SARs) a better deal for me than stock options? This is premium content


The personal economic benefits of SARs are...

How do stock appreciation rights (SARs) differ from stock options, restricted stock, and RSUs? This is premium content


Stock appreciation rights entitle you to stock (or sometimes cash) that equals the amount...

How do I exercise stock appreciation rights? This is premium content


Unlike with stock options, you have no exercise cost to obtain the appreciation spread above...

How does a stock split affect my stock appreciation rights? This is premium content


Most stock plans automatically adjust your SARs for the stock split. Your number of SARs will be adjusted...

UPDATED FOR 2009! What are some year-end strategies for stock options and restricted stock? This is premium content


This depends on your financial situation, on whether your decisions should be entirely tax-driven, on what you did earlier in the year, on your outlook for your company's stock price, and on the prospects for changes in tax law during the year ahead. Below we present 10 ideas...

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...

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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...
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...
What are the biggest mistakes related to stock appreciation rights (SARs) that I can make on my tax return, and how can I avoid them? This is premium content
It is easy to make mistakes that lead to paying more tax than you need to, or that may even prompt a review by the IRS. Some of the mishaps are...