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    Our guide to Roth IRAs and Roth accounts in 401k and 403b plans
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    Explains tax rules and strategies for people who buy and sell stocks, mutual funds and options
  • Consider Your Options
    How to handle stock options and other forms of equity compensation you receive from your employer
  • Equity Compensation Strategies
    A textbook and reference for professionals who offer advice on how to handle stock options and other forms of equity compensation

Consider Your Options — 2009

Get the most from your equity compensation

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Consider Your Options is our plain language guide to compensation in stock and options. It highlights the opportunities — and pitfalls — in handling these items, providing complete, authoritative information on everything from the section 83b election to the dreaded alternative minimum tax (AMT).

Who it's for

This book is intended for people who may be new to investing or know little about taxes. It provides the clearest possible explanations of the relevant rules and strategies. It may also be suitable as an introductory book for professionals, and for several years has been required reading for those undertaking the course of study offered by the Certified Equity Professional Institute. Financial advisors and other professionals offering advice to recipients of stock options may wish to consider our other book on this subject, Equity Compensation Strategies.

What it covers

Consider Your Options explains tax rules and strategies that will help you get the most from the stock and options you earn as an employee or executive.

Part I: Laying the Foundation

An overview of the subject; working with (or without) an advisor; introductory information about stock prices and investment risk.

Part II: Restricted Stock

Terminology, tax rules, and planning considerations for restricted stock awards.

Part III: Options in General

Terminology and basic economics of stock options; determining when an option is ripe for harvesting.

Part IV: Nonqualified Stock Options

Tax rules for these kinds of options; examination of a strategy to secure profits in the form of capital gain.

Part V: Incentive Stock Options and AMT

Rules for ISOs under both regular income tax and alternative minimum tax; a review of strategies, both good and bad, often recommended for this type of option.

Part VI: Using Stock to Exercise Options

Special tax rules that apply in connection with this method of exercising nonqualified stock options or ISOs.

Part VII: Vesting

Details on the rules for vesting, including the section 83b election and "early exercise" stock option plans.

Part VIII: Employee Stock Purchase Plans

An explanation of how these plans work, and the applicable tax rules and strategies.

Part IX: Other Topics

Various other topics, including estimated tax payments and estate planning issues.

About this edition

The 2009 edition is the sixth edition of this book, reflecting legal authorities as of November 30, 2008. Significant changes from the previous edition include material dealing with the refundable AMT credit and a new chapter on estate planning and administration.


Top of Bookstore


Consider Your Options: Get the most from your equity compensation
by Kaye A. Thomas
Fairmark Press Inc.
2009 edition published December 2008
Trade paperback, 286 pages
ISBN 978-0-9792248-4-3
$23.95


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