Search
Go to the myStockOptions.com homepageTrack your stock options, restricted stock, and SARsCalculators and modeling toolsBookmark your favorite contentView and manage your client list
Tax Center Global Tax Newsletter Glossary Discussion About MSO Home Sign In Register Visit our Tax Center Prevent Tax Mistakes! Visit our Tax Center

SEC Law: Basics




Print this FAQ
Are sales of shares by executives and directors of a public company subject to any securities-law restrictions?
Yes. In addition to the prohibition against insider trading, company stock held by an "affiliate" (e.g. any director or executive officer) of a public company generally must be sold under SEC Rule 144 and Section 16. These restrictions apply whether the stock was acquired by option exercise or purchased in the open market. For details, see the article series on stock sales by executives.

Most companies, as a matter of corporate policy, prohibit their executive officers and directors from buying, selling, pledging, giving, or otherwise transferring any stock of the corporation without first contacting the company's compliance officer. This requirement may also apply to company securities trades by your spouse as well as relatives living in the same household or whose transactions in company stock you control.

   SEC Law   
Basics   
Insider Trading   
Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans   
Rule 144   
Section 16   

Insider Trading
Prevent insider trading at your company with the effective Think Twice videos, which educate, entertain, and jolt

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.