This alert highlights a selection of new articles and other recent developments at myStockOptions. See also a full list of our new and recently updated content.

The Season For Year-End Planning Has Begun

Year-end is a key time for financial and tax planning with stock compensation and holdings of company shares. When you are evaluating whether to exercise stock options or sell shares from vested restricted stock/RSUs or an ESPP, there are many factors to consider. Our section on year-end planning, fully updated for 2019, has concise articles and FAQs that clearly present key guidance on year-end planning for anyone with equity compensation and company stock holdings, including strategies for year-end gifts and donations.

Stock Options Made Simple: Comparing NQSOs And ISOs

The first thing to do with a grant of stock options is to understand which type of options you have and their tax treatment. That is imperative before you even exercise stock options, let alone do any financial planning. A new article at myStockOptions clearly breaks down the differences between nonqualified stock options (NQSOs) and incentive stock options (ISOs). For more knowledge and financial-planning insights on these different types of stock options, see the NQSO and ISO sections of the website.

Initial Public Offerings: Leading Financial Advisors On Equity Compensation Planning

Initial public offerings present special planning circumstances for executives and employees with equity compensation and holdings of company shares. Before your company goes public, you need to understand what will happen and what you need to prepare for. We asked several leading financial advisors, from a variety of US regions, for their ideas on pre- and post-IPO planning. A new article at myStockOptions presents their responses in their own words.

Flex Your Negotiating Clout: What You Should Know Before You Negotiate Your Stock Compensation Package

Once you reach the pivotal point in your career where several companies want you, employers will negotiate with you to entice you to join them. That's good, but you need to be prepared. Written by an experienced financial advisor in the San Francisco Bay Area, a new article at myStockOptions explains what you should know and consider in any job negotiation involving equity compensation.

Learning Center offers CE credits

Keep up your continuing professional education! In our Learning Center, myStockOptions has six courses and exams offering CE credits for several professional designations:

  • 30 continuing-education credits for Certified Equity Professionals (CEPs): 100% of the total requirement
  • 15 continuing-education credits for Certified Financial Planners (CFPs): 50% of the total requirement
  • 15 continuing-education credits for Certified Private Wealth Advisors (CPWAs) and Certified Investment Management Analysts (CIMAs): 37.5% of the total requirement
  • Chartered Financial Analysts (CFAs) and Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) are encouraged to take our courses and exams and include them, if possible, when they self-document their continuing professional education

Each course of study features podcasts, articles, and FAQs from myStockOptions. They are woven into a dynamic, interactive learning tool that teaches the topics in a memorable way. The answer key for each exam also links to relevant content on the site for further reading and learning.