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What happens when I exercise my stock options?
Exercising a stock option means purchasing the shares of stock per the stock option agreement. The benefit of the option to the option holder comes when the grant price is lower than the market value of the stock at the time the option is exercised. The price per share for the company stock is currently $100.
Are exercised stock options considered earned income?
If your employer grants you a statutory stock option, you generally don’t include any amount in your gross income when you receive or exercise the option. However, you may be subject to alternative minimum tax in the year you exercise an ISO.
Do you have to buy the stock to exercise a call option?
Investors don’t have to own the underlying stock to buy or sell a call. If you think the market price of the underlying stock will rise, you can consider buying a call option compared to buying the stock outright.
Is exercising stock options a taxable event?
No taxable events are reported at exercise. However, the bargain element of an incentive stock option may trigger alternative minimum tax (AMT). The first taxable event occurs at the sale. If the shares are sold immediately after they are exercised, the bargain element is treated as ordinary income.
How are stock options taxed when exercised?
Stock sold one year or less from the exercise date is taxed as a short-term capital gain. Stock sold more than one year after the date acquired is taxed as a long-term capital gain. The cost basis is the price paid to exercise the option plus the bargain element that was taxed as ordinary income in the exercise year.
Should company allow early exercise of stock options?
Startups that allow the early exercise of stock options help minimize their employees’ tax liabilities and increase the return on common stockholder equity. At Capbase, we believe there is no downside to a new company in permitting the early exercise of stock options as part of their equity purchase agreement.
How your stock options are taxed?
Non-qualified stock options are taxed regardless of whether you exercise your option or not. Incentive stock options are taxed based on the alternative minimum tax calculation . It is best not to exercise either option based on the amount you’ll be taxed, but rather how you’ll be taxed.