SARs
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SARs

SARs

Learn about stock appreciation rights (commonly abbreviated SARs), which are functionally similar to nonqualified stock options in many ways.

Browse an overview of this section below, or explore the subtopics to the left. See also the stock appreciation rights section of the Tax Center.

Test your knowledge with our Stock Appreciation Rights quiz and interactive answer key!

Selected Articles

Basics

Stock Appreciation Rights 101 (Part 1)

Bruce Brumberg
Stock appreciation rights (SARs) are being granted by some companies. To help you understand SARs, Part 1 explains the "appreciation," the role of exercises, and taxes at exercise.
Taxes

Stock Appreciation Rights 101 (Part 2) This is premium content

Bruce Brumberg
Stock appreciation rights (SARs) are garnering interest among companies. Part 2 discusses taxes, IRS concerns, and why companies like SARs.
Taxes

Living And Working In Multiple States: Challenges For Mobile Employees In The USA This is premium content

David Johnson and Mark Miller
Podcast included! Moving between US states, whether to relocate permanently, travel for business, or retire, can involve tax complications for people who have stock compensation. This article presents the tax issues that you may encounter when you leave your home office and cross a state line.
Show More Selected Articles
Taxes

VIDEO! Tax-Return Forms And Reporting Rules For Stock Sales

Bruce Brumberg
Learn how to prevent costly tax return mistakes with this animated presentation on IRS Form 1099-B, IRS Form 8949, and Schedule D.
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.

Selected FAQs

Basics

What are stock appreciation rights?

SARs, or stock appreciation rights, are contractual rights that entitle you to receive the appreciation from a corresponding number of company shares after the grant date. Instead of exercising a stock option, you...
Basics

What are the top 10 questions I should ask about my stock appreciation rights? This is premium content

You should know the answers to the following questions. Understanding the topics involved will help you make the most of your stock appreciation rights (SARs) and prevent costly mistakes...
Taxes

How are stock appreciation rights taxed? This is premium content

When you you exercise stock appreciation rights, depending on the plan's design and practices, you receive...
Show More Selected FAQs
Taxes

When I exercise my stock appreciation rights (SARs), will the amount of tax withheld cover the amount of tax that I must pay when I file my tax return? This is premium content

Employers usually withhold federal income taxes at the flat rate required for supplemental wages, which is...
Taxes

UPDATES! If I exercise stock appreciation rights (SARs), will I need to make estimated tax payments? This is premium content

At a minimum, at the time of your SARs exercise your company will withhold taxes from the proceeds at the required federal withholding rate for supplemental income. However, depending on your income, this minimum withholding may not be enough. If so, you will need to...
Basics

Does all the stock option content on this website also apply to stock appreciation rights (SARs)?

Much of the stock option content is relevant to SARs. All the key stock option features...
Taxes

I just sold stock that I acquired from option exercises and restricted stock vesting a few years ago. How do I rediscover the cost basis for my tax return? This is premium content

Let's first review the tax rules and the W-2 reporting. The tax basis for...
Basics

UPDATES! What do surveys and examples reveal about the effects of expensing, stock market trends, and other developments on equity compensation? This is premium content

A summary of data in surveys from major consulting and research firms shows that...
Basics

Why are some companies considering stock appreciation rights (SARs) as an alternative to stock options? This is premium content

ASC Topic 718, formerly called FAS 123(R), requires the expensing of...
Taxes

What are the biggest mistakes related to stock appreciation rights (SARs) that I can make on my tax return, and how can I avoid them? This is premium content

It is all too easy to make costly tax-return errors that attract unwanted IRS attention. Learn how to prevent mistakes in the 2020 tax season...
Taxes

W-2 diagram What will my W-2 show after I exercise stock appreciation rights? This is premium content

The gain from your SARs exercise(s) is totaled on the W-2 with other income in the following boxes...
This is simply a selection of the many FAQs in this section.
Use the navigation to the left to explore all of the categories in this section.