ESPPs

Stock purchases made through an ESPP during a calendar year are reported to you and the IRS on Form 3922 early in the following year. This article explains what you need to know about the information on the form, and how the form can help you better understand the complexities of ESPP taxation.

Podcast included! Your employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) may be one of the best benefits your company offers. However, to maximize its value, you must know its key dates and terms. This article explains the basics you need to know for your ESPP participation.

To maximize the benefits of your employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), you must understand the five key tax rules explained in this video. Illustrated by animated examples, the covered concepts include the special rules that depend on how long you hold the shares. Running time: 4:24

Employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs) can be designed in different ways and provided with various features that make them appealing to participants. Before you enroll in your company's ESPP, however, you should be sure to know the answers to the following questions...

To be tax-qualified under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code, ESPPs must follow certain eligibility rules and restrictions...

Companies make some information available voluntarily, while the reporting of other information is mandatory. Section 6039(a) of the Internal Revenue Code requires companies to send an information statement to employees who have exercised incentive stock options or have made purchases in a tax-qualified Section 423 employee stock purchase plan. ISO exercises are reported on IRS Form 3921. ESPP purchases are reported on IRS Form 3922...

You are taxed only at sale, not when the shares are purchased. However, the rules for ESPP taxation are more confusing...

To get favorable long-term capital gains treatment...

If you sell ESPP shares in a qualifying disposition, you still...

With a tax-qualified ESPP, nothing appears on your W-2 until you sell the shares. In that year, income is reported in the following boxes of your W-2...

"Not qualified" means that your company's employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) does not meet the requirements under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. Its mechanics and procedures may be the same as a tax-qualified ESPP, but the favorable tax treatment does not...