Tax 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.
Basics
Learn core knowledge about stock grants. Browse an overview of this section below, or explore the subtopics to the left. This section covers basic concepts that apply not just to stock options but also to restricted stock and restricted stock units. See also the Tax Center for special sections just on the tax basics of various equity grants.
Podcast and video included! So your company has granted you stock options. Now what? Stock options give you a potential share in the growth of your company's value without any financial risk to you until you exercise the options and buy shares of the company's stock. Before you exercise your options, their built-in value is subject to pre-tax growth—which can be significant. This article explains the essential facts that you must know to understand your options and make the most of them.
Podcast and video included! While restricted stock and RSUs are relatively straightforward, they have technical aspects you must understand to make the most of them. Learn the essential facts of restricted stock and RSUs, including basic concepts, vesting schedules, and tax treatment.
Employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs) are a great deal. In fact, your ESPP may be one of the best benefits your company offers. Understand the key dates and terms you must know to make the most of your company's ESPP.
Stock comp is complex: make no mistake about it. That's easier said than done, however. It's all too easy to make costly mistakes with stock options or restricted stock/RSUs and the related taxes. In this article, experts in stock comp financial planning explain five blunders and how to avoid them.
No longer just a subject for philosophers and poets, the pursuit of happiness has become part of the holistic approach to workplace harmony and productivity sought by many companies and their employees. Stock compensation can improve happiness—and it's about more than just recognizing gains.
Videos included! Stock options rose to fame in the 1990s. Even on the TV sitcom Seinfeld, Elaine got stock options and wouldn't shut up about them (annoying the heck out of George). Options remain popular. This article explains the two types and how they work.
This is simply a selection of the many articles in this section. Use the navigation to the left to explore all of the categories in this section.
You should know the answers to the questions in this FAQ's checklist and be familiar with the topics presented in the related video. Understanding these will help you to make the most of your stock grants...
It's not easy to determine which type of grant is better for you. While restricted stock and RSUs are siblings, they have important differences, as explained by this FAQ, which includes a quick-reference table clearly presenting the comparison...
For a variety of reasons, including those of tax and accounting treatment, compensation policy, and stock plan provisions, employers may offer any of several types of equity-based incentives. These include...
Companies in the United States can grant two types of stock options: nonqualified stock options (NQSOs), the most common type, and incentive stock options (ISOs). The table in this FAQ summarizes and compares the major traits...
While restricted stock and RSUs are siblings, they have important differences, as explained by this FAQ, which includes a quick-reference table clearly presenting the comparison...
An employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) is a type of stock plan that permits employees to use after-tax payroll deductions to acquire shares of their company's stock. Plans can have...
Employee stock purchase plans tend to be viewed as a benefit while stock options are a form of compensation. From an employee perspective, there are some differences in operations, eligibility, and design...
Tax 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.
Want to know more? Listen to our podcasts on the basics of stock options, restricted stock, and ESPPs.
Core Concepts
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