Special tax rules that apply in connection with this method of
exercising nonqualified stock options or ISOs.
This rule applies if you're
exercising a nonqualified option, or if you're simply making a «bargain purchase.»
The precise tax consequences of
exercising a nonqualified stock option depend on the manner of exercising the option.
However, there is a problem with stock options that is sometimes overlooked, as was demonstrated in one of the above examples of things that can go wrong: When
you exercise nonqualified stock options — the type of options ordinarily issued to consultants — federal tax law requires you to pay tax on the difference between the fair market value of the stock and the price you paid to exercise the options.
Generally you report compensation income equal to the difference between the fair market value of the stock and the amount paid under the option when
you exercise a nonqualified option.
The adjustment is precisely the amount you would have reported as compensation income if
you exercised a nonqualified option instead of an ISO.
But the amount of AMT you pay is less than the tax you would have paid if
you exercised a nonqualified option — and you may be able to recover much or all of the your AMT payment by claiming an AMT credit in future years.
Example: Last year you had unusually high income because
you exercised nonqualified stock options.
What's the best time to
exercise a nonqualified stock option?
When
you exercise a nonqualified option you have to report and pay tax on compensation income.
When
you exercise a nonqualified option your basis is equal to the amount you paid for the stock plus the amount of income you report for exercising the option.
When
you exercise a nonqualified option, your basis is equal to the amount you pay for the shares plus the amount of income you report for exercising the option.
Example:
You exercise a nonqualified option to purchase 1,000 shares of stock for $ 15 per share when the value of the stock is $ 40 per share.
When
you exercise a nonqualified stock option you report ordinary compensation income.
When
you exercise a nonqualified stock option you report compensation income equal to the difference between the value of the stock you receive and the amount you pay to exercise the option.
Not exact matches
As long as your company designs its plan properly, the employees who receive
nonqualified options won't owe taxes on their options until they
exercise them.
One of the key differences between incentive stock options (ISOs) and
nonqualified stock options is that you don't have to report compensation income when you
exercise an ISO.
As to shares you sell at the time of
exercise, the tax consequences are essentially the same as for the
exercise of a
nonqualified option.