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.
ISOs
Incentive stock options carry great potential tax benefits, but their taxation can be complex, especially when the alternative minimum tax comes into play. Browse an overview of this section below, or explore the subtopics to the left. See also the ISO sections of the Tax Center.
Incentive stock options (ISOs) are potentially quite valuable. However, they are more rule-bound, complex, and risky than nonqualified stock options (NQSOs). In fact, mistakes with ISOs can be quite costly. This article presents five key aspects of ISOs that you must know at the time of grant, before you exercise the options, and when you sell the shares.
Exercising incentive stock options (ISOs) and holding the shares beyond the calendar year of exercise triggers the need for the alternative minimum tax (AMT) calculation. While you should consult a financial advisor, accountant, or tax lawyer about the AMT and your personal situation, this article details several strategies that experts often suggest.
Stock options rose to fame in the 1990s. Even on the TV sitcom Seinfeld, Elaine got lucrative stock options and couldn't stop talking about them (provoking George's resentment, of course). Options remain a major form of employee equity. This article compares the two types and how they work.
Learn how and when income from ISOs is subject to taxes, including the alternative minimum tax. You must consider taxes at both exercise and sale to put together an optimal strategy.
To make the most of incentive stock options (ISOs), you must understand their tax fundamentals, explained by the editor-in-chief of myStockOptions.com in this engaging video.
With expert insights from the editor-in-chief of myStockOptions.com, this video covers the essential aspects of employee stock options that you must know to make the most of them, including the key concepts of vesting, exercise, and the option term. Running time: 4:12.
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. Understanding the topics involved will help you make the most of your stock options and prevent costly mistakes...
With incentive stock options (ISOs), when you hold the shares for more than one year from exercise and two years from grant, the entire gain at sale over the exercise price is...
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...
Form 1099-B or the equivalent substitute statement is necessary for the accurate completion of your tax return. Five facts you must know about this reporting to avoid tax-return mistakes are...
When your W-2 income is added to the price you paid for the stock, this is your cost basis on your tax return. The table below presents the compensation portion of your tax basis for all types of stock grants and ESPPs...
If you sold shares during the calendar year, your brokerage firm will issue IRS Form 1099-B by mid-February of the following year. This is an important document that you must have to complete your tax return for the year of sale...
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.
Listen to our podcast on the basics of stock options, or watch our videos on core concepts and ISO taxes.
Basics
Test your knowledge with our