D?finitiv? Guid? to Em?l?y?? St??k Pur?h??? Pl?n? (ESPP)

D?finitiv? Guid? to Em?l?y?? St??k Pur?h??? Pl?n? (ESPP) Working in a l?rg? firm can be r??ll? ni??. Wh?t’? even b?tt?r i? w?rking with a ??m??n? th?t is publicly tr?d?d.On? ?f th? b?n?fit? th?t ??m? of these publicly tr?d?d ??m??n? ?ff?r it? employees i? th? ?bilit? t? ?ur?h??? its ?wn ?t??k.There ?r? ??v?r?l w??? thi? can be d?n?, but ??rh??? th? m??t ?tr?ightf?rw?rd m?th?d ?f ?m?l???? stock ?wn?r?hi? can b? f?und in an ?m?l???? stock ?ur?h??? program ?r ?l?n (ESPP).Th??? ?l?n? ?r?vid? a ??nv?ni?nt method f?r employees to ?ur?h??? company shares ?nd im?r?v? their ???h fl?w? ?r net worth ?v?r tim?.EM?L???? ST??K PUR?H??? PL?N? (ESPP) Em?l???? ?t??k ?ur?h??? ?l?n? ?r? ????nti?ll? a t??? of ???r?ll d?du?ti?n ?l?n that ?ll?w? ?m?l????? t? buy ??m??n? ?t??k without h?ving t? ?ff??t th? tr?n???ti?n? th?m??lv??.M?n?? is ?ut?m?ti??ll? t?k?n ?ut of ?ll ??rti?i??nt?’ pay checks ?n an after-tax basis every ??? period, ?nd accrues in an escrow ????unt until it i? u??d to bu? ??m??n? ?h?r?? on a ??ri?di? b??i?, ?u?h ?? ?v?r? ?ix m?nth?.Th??? plan s are similar t? other t???? ?f stock ??ti?n ?l?n? in th?t th?? ?r?m?t? ?m?l???? ownership ?f the ??m??n?, but do n?t have many ?f th? r??tri?ti?n? that come with m?r? formal ?t??k option arrangements.Plu?, th?? ?r? d??ign?d t? b? somewhat m?r? li?uid in n?tur?.ESPP? ??n b? ?ith?r ?u?lifi?d ?r non-qualified.Qualified plans ?r? m?r? ??mm?n ?nd must ?dh?r? to th? rul?? l?id ?ut in S??ti?n 423 of th? Int?rn?l R?v?nu? C?d?. However, ?u?lifi?d ESPP? ?h?uld n?t b? ??nfu??d with ?u?lifi?d r?tir?m?nt ?l?n? th?t gr?w t?x-d?f?rr?d ?nd ?r? ?ubj??t t? ERISA r?gul?ti?n?.P?rti?i??nt? ??n receive th? proceeds fr?m these ?l?n? ?? soon ?? th? ?rit?ri? listed b?l?w are ??ti?fi?d. The k?? ?h?r??t?ri?ti?? ?f qualified ESPPs in?lud?:Th? plan mu?t b? v?t?d in b? th? m?j?rit? ?f ?h?r?h?ld?r? ??m?tim? during th? 12 months ?r???ding th? plan’s projected ?t?rt d?t?.Th? ?l?n ??n ?nl? b? ?ff?r?d t? ??tu?l employees ?f th? ??m??n? (??n?ult?nt? and ind???nd?nt ??ntr??t?r? d? n?t ?u?lif?).Although ??m? ??t?g?ri ?? ?f w?rk?r? m?? b? excluded from th? ?l?n (?u?h ?? th??? wh? h?v? w?rk?d for th? ??m??n? f?r l??? than ?n? ?r tw? ???r?), ?n? ?m?l???? wh? i? n?t ????ifi??ll? excluded in this manner in th? ?l?n ?h?rt?r mu?t b? ?ll?w?d th? opportunity t? participate in the plan.Em?l????? who own more than 5% of th? voting ?t??k ?f th? company m?? n?t participate in the ?l?n.E?u?l right? ?r? granted unconditionally t? all participants.No ?m?l???? ??n purchase m?r? th?n $25,000 w?rth of ?t??k in th? plan in a ??l?nd?r ???r.Off?ring periods ??nn?t ?x???d 27 m?nth? in l?ngth.Di???unt? on stock purchases ??nn?t exceed 15% ?f th? current ?ri??.Non-qualified plans ?r? not ?ubj??t t? these rul?? ?nd r??tri?ti?n?, except that they mu?t ?l?? b? approved by the shareholders and board ?f dir??t?r?. Lik? their non-qualified ??u?in? in th? retirement ?l?n arena, ?u?h ?? deferred compensation ?r ?x??utiv? b?nu? plans, th?? ??n ?ll?w ??rti?i??ti?n ?n a di??rimin?t?r? b??i?. H?w?v?r, th?? also d? n?t r???iv? f?v?u r?bl? tax treatment under ?n? circumstances.A 2011 ?urv?? t?k?n b? th? National A????i?ti?n ?f Stock Plan Professionals ?h?w?d th?t 82% ?f ??m??ni?? th?t had an ESPP u??d a qualified ?l?n, whil? ?nl? 24% u??d a n?n-?u?lifi?d ?l?n.D???it? th?ir diff?r?n???, b?th ?u?lifi?d and n?n-?u?lifi?d ESPP? are fund?m?nt?ll? ?imil?r in d??ign. All plans ??n?i?t of ?n offering ??ri?d th?t b?gin? ?n a specific d?? known as th? ?ff?ring date.Within th? ?ff?ring ??ri?d there are t??i??ll? ??v?r?l ?ur?h??? ??ri?d? that ?nd in ?ur?h??? dates.Strategies f?r Em?l??ing Em?l???? St??k Purchase Pl?nThe r??lit? is h?lding ??ur ??m??n?’? ?t??k for a decent length ?f tim? is dangerous. It i? one ?f the most di???ur?g?d inv??tm?nt? ??u ??n m?k?.     If ??ur ??m??n? f?ll? on h?rd tim?? ??u could b? hit twi??. On?? vi? job l??? ?nd th? ????nd vi? assets. Add t? th?t th? need f?r div?r?ifi??ti?n ?nd it is n?t recommended t? buy ??m??n? stock und?r normal ?ir?um?t?n???. The ??m? ?rgum?nt? can b? used f?r not h?l ding Em?l???? St??k Purchase Pl?n t? th? f?v?r?bl? t?x treatment t?rm. H?w?v?r, m??t plans ?ll?w ??u t? ??ll the proceeds ?f any ?l?n within a f?w d??? ?f ?ur?h???. There ?r? a f?w companies th?t r??uir? v??ting exceptions, in whi?h case I would think twi?? ?b?ut investing. But ?th?rwi?? your ?x???ur? t? the v?g?ri?? of ??ur ??m??n?’? stock v?l?tilit? is lik?l? a day ?r two in exchange f?r a 15% di???unt. I.E it i? highl? lik?l? ??u will ??m? ?ut ahead by ??rti?i??ting in ?n Em?l???? St??k Pur?h??? Pl?n if ??u ??ll imm?di?t?l? u??n ?ur?h???. W? have ?v?r?g?d greater th?n 15% r?turn in ?ur periods ?f ??rti?i??ti?n t? d?t?. I ?lw??? r???mm?nd ??lling the ?t??k immediately giv?n the ?b?v?.F?r ?x?m?l?, an ?ff?ring ??ri?d could ?t?rt with ?n offering d?t? of J?nu?r? 1?t ?nd th?n h?v? nine ?ur?h??? ??ri?d? th?t l??t f?r three months ???h. Th? ?ff?ring ??ri?d would then ?x?ir? at th? ?nd ?f 27 m?nth?.During that tim?, ?m?l????? w?uld elect t? h?v? a certain ?m?unt taken ?ut ?f th?ir ???? h??k? (m??t employers impose a limit of ?b?ut 10% of ?ft?r-t?x ???), which w?uld then b? u??d to ?ur?h??? ??m??n? ?h?r?? ?n ?v?r? ?ur?h??? d?t? within th? ?ff?ring ??ri?d.Th?r?f?r?, ?m?l????? who participated in an entire offering period w?uld m?k? nin? separate ?ur?h???? ?f stock.E??h employer ??t? it? ?wn ??li?? regarding it? ?m?l?????’ ability to withdr?w funds during ?ur?h??? periods ?nd in?r???? or d??r???? the l?v?l ?f their contributions t? th? ?l?n.And whil? m??t ESPPs offer ?ith?r th? ?ut?m?ti? ?ri?? di???unt ?r th? l??k-b??k feature (?r both), there i? n? IRS r??uir?m?nt f?r this.Th?r? are four ?h???? in ESPP: grant, ?ff?ring ??ri?d, tr?n?f?r, and di????iti?nPhase 1. Gr?nt ?h???Th? ?m?l???r gr?nt? it? employees the option t? ?ur?h??? ?t??k in th? ?m?l???r? ??m??n? (?r parent ??m??n?) at a ?r?d?t?rmin?d ?ri??.Phase 2. Off?ring ??ri?dTh? ?ff?ring ??ri?d i? th? tim? during which ?m?l????? ???umul?t? savings for the future ?ur?h??? ?f the companys ?t??k. Em?l????? ?h???? t? have a percentage ?r fixed dollar ?m?unt deducted fr?m each ?f th?ir ????h??k.Th??? payroll deductions occur ?n ?n after-tax b??i?. Thi? means th?t in??m? t?x ?nd FICA t?x?? h?v? ?lr??d? b??n t?k?n ?ut of ??ur pay before th? m?n?? is ??t aside for ESPP purchases.Phase 3. Tr?n?f?r phaseAt th? end ?f the offering ??ri?d, th? ?m?l???r t?k?? ?ll the m?n?? that has b??n saved u? and uses th?t m?n?? to ?ur?h??? shares ?f th? ??m??n?? stock. The ???uriti?? br?k?r?g? ?dmini?t?ring th? ESPP plan will ?ur?h??? ?h?r?? of th? ??m??n?? ?t??k ?nd tr?n?f?r ?wn?r?hi? ?f th? ?t??k t? th? participating ?m?l?????. An? cash n?t u??d t? ?ur?h??? ?t??k i? refunded back t? the employee.Along with tr?n?f?rring ?wn?r?hi? ?f th? ?h?r??, th? ??m??n? issues d??um?nt? t? it? ?m?l?????. Th? company ??nd? F?rm 3922, ?n? ???? to th? ?m?l???? ?nd ?n?th?r copy t? th? IRS, to document inf?rm?ti?n relating t? th? tr?n?f?r ?f th? ?h?r??. The br?k?r?g? h?u?? ?dmini?t?ring the ESPP will ?l?? send ??u trade ??nfirm?ti?n?. Th? company ??t? up br?k?r?g? ????unt? f?r ??rti?i??ting employees, ?nd th? shares purchased und?r th? ESPP ?r? d????it?d there. Th?r? i? no tax impact wh?n th? ?h?r?? ?r? ?ur?h???d ?nd transferred t? you. There will b? t?x im???t? in the futur?, wh?n ??u ??ll or ?th?rwi?? dispose of th? ESPP shares.Phase 4. Di????iti?n ?h???After the shares ?r? tr?n?f?rr?d int? your n?m?, you ?r? fr?? t? d? with them ?? you ?l????. You m?? ??ll, tr?d?, exchange, tr?n?f?r or giv? th?m ?w??. Di????ing ?f ESPP shares triggers t?x im???t?.The tax im???t d???nd? on thr?? f??t?r?:How long th? person h?? been ?wn?d th? ?t??kTh? selling priceH?w many shares are ??ldTh??? last two f??t?r? determine th? ?m?unt ?f income a ??r??n ??rn? fr?m th? sale ?f th? stock. S?lling price multi?li?d by th? numb?r of ?h?r?? sold r??ult? in th? gross proceeds from th? ??l?? transaction. S?lling ?ri?? also f??t?r? into ??l?ul?ti?n? of ??m??n??ti?n income, which we will di??u?? below.H?w l?ng a person h?? owned the shares d? t?rmin?? h?w the sales tr?n???ti?n is categorized. H?w th? tr?n???ti?n is ??t?g?riz?d in turn d?t?rmin?? th? tax tr??tm?nt.HOW ARE ESPP GAINS TAXED?Tax B?n?fit? ?f ESPPIn ?dditi?n t? th? di???unt, a qualified Employee St??k Pur?h??? Pl?n ?r?vid?? ??t?nti?l t?x b?n?fit?. Th? first b?n?fit is th?t all t?x?? ?n th? di???unt? ?r? d?l???d until the year you ??ll th? stock.Th? ??tu?l t?x?ti?n v?ri?? b? th? l?ngth ?f tim? ??u h?ld the stock. R?g?rdl??? ?f ??ur holding ??ri?d the di???unt?d fund? ?r? t?x?d ?? ?rdin?r? in??m?.The diff?r?n?? is in how mu?h i? considered th? di???unt.   If you h?ld th? stock for ?n? ???r fr?m purchase and two ???r? fr?m ?ff?ring th?n f?v?ur?bl? tax treatment ki?k? in.The di???unt ??r??nt i? than calculated as th? di???unt percent applied to th? ???li??bl? ?ff?ring price (either vi? look back ?r v?lu? ?n ?x??uti?n d?t?) ?r ????nti?ll? 15%. If you do not fulfil the h?lding then ordinary in??m? is ???li?d t? the m?rk?t ?ri?? ?n th? d?t? of purchase minu? th? purc hase ?ri?? ?n the giv?n d?t?.All ?th?r fund? ?r? r???rt?d as l?ng t?rm ???it?l g?in?.   Sin?? capital g?in? rates ?r? typically 15% ?nd ordinary in??m? ?r? t??i??ll? your existing tax br??k?t th?r? can b? a ?ignifi??nt diff?r?n?? h?r? f?r high?r in??m? ?r?f???i?n?l?.Th? t?x treatment f?r ESPPs i? uni?u?. Unlik? a 401(k), your ??ntributi?n? to th? ESPP ?r? t?x?d at ?rdin?r? in??m? r?t??.If you hold ??ur shares for m?r? than a ???r ?ft?r the ?ur?h??? date AND m?r? than two ???r? after th? beginning of th? ?ff?ring ??ri?d, then ?n? profit ?b?v? th? g?in from th? discount will be taxed ?t capital gains t?x r?t??.R?m?mb?r th? holding ??ri?d f?r l?ng term ???it?l g?in? i? ?xt?nd?d if th? offering period r???t?. If you d? n?t satisfy b?th requirements th?n ??ur gain will b? t?x?d ?t ?rdin?r? income t?x rates. G?in? ??l?l? ?ttribut?bl? to the di???unt are ?lw??? taxed at ?rdin?r? in??m? r?t?? (?t th? time ?f ??l?).F?r example if you purchase ?h?r?? at a 15% di???unt t? $10.00 per ?h?r? ($8. 50 per share) ?nd you h?ld th? ?t??k f?r two years from th? b?ginning ?f th? ?ff?ring ??ri?d and ??ll at $12.00 per ?h?r? then ??u would r???gniz? ordinary income ?t the tim? ?f ??l? ?f $1.50 per share (th? di???unt) and a long term ???it?l gain of $2.00 per share ($12.00 â€" $10.00).WH?N SHOULD Y?U S?LL TH? ST??K?The ????rtunit? t? benefit fr?m a l?w?r t?x r?t? m?k?? it t?m?ting t? hold onto th? ?t??k f?r a ???r ?ft?r th? purchase.Y?u ?r? ?n??ur?g?d to r??i?t th? t?m?t?ti?n.   Y?ur ?t??k can always go down and you have n?w ri?k?d even m?r? ?f ??ur ??m??n??ti?n and w??lth on th? value of ??ur company ?t??k. In?t??d, use the discount structure t? l??k in th? minimum ??mi-?nnu?l r?turn ?lu? ?n? upside from appreciation ?nd sell imm?di?t?l? on the same day ??u ?ur?h??? ??ur stock.You ?lr??d? h?v? a generous r?turn ?nd there’s n? reason to t?k? more ri?k in your company stock by h?lding it longer th?n n??????r?. If ??u don’t think ??u will h?v? the di??i?lin? t? sell your ESPP ?h?r? ? imm?di?t?l? then ??n?id?r n?t ??rti?i??ting ?lt?g?th?r. Don’t get gr??d?. P??ing t?x?? m??n? ??u made money.Selling Employee St??k Pur?h??? Pl?n Sh?r??Qu?lifi?d S?l??In many cases, ?u?lifi?d ??l?? will ?ff?r ??m? t?x advantages compared t? a di??u?lif?ing ??l?.Th? calculations inv?lv?d are a bit m?r? complex, ??rti?ul?rl? in calculating th? b?rg?in element (whi?h i? still subject t? ?rdin?r? compensation tax) ?nd the ???t b??i? ?f th? ?h?r?? (whi?h im???t? the capital g?in ?r l??? ?n the ??l?).A qualified sale i? ?n? in whi?h both ?f the qualifying holding ??ri?d r??uir?m?nt? ?r? ??ti?fi?d. Under a ?u?lifi?d ??l?, th? b?rg?in element i? still taxed ?? ??m??n??ti?n income, but i? th? lesser ?f:C?l?ul?ti?n 1: F?ir market v?lu? (FMV) ?t disposition minu? th? amount paid ?n the actual date ?f ???ui?iti?n.C?l?ul?ti?n 2: Th? difference b?tw??n th? f?ir m?rk?t v?lu? ?f th? stock ?nd th? discounted purchase price if th? ?ur?h??? ?f stock h?d t?k?n ?l??? ?t th? b?ginning ?f the ?ub??ri?t i?n ??ri?d.Note th?t ?v?n if calculation 1 i? l??? th?n z?r?, th? b?rg?in ?l?m?nt will b? z?r? but n?t l??? than z?r?.On?? th? b?rg?in ?l?m?nt h?? been determined, the bargain ?l?m?nt (if any) i? taxed ?? ??m??n??ti?n in??m?, ?nd the ???t b??i? ?f th? shares becomes th? ?ur?h??? ?ri?? ??id f?r th? shares ?lu? th? b?rg?in element. The difference b?tw??n FMV at ??l? and ???t basis will b? treated ?? a l?ng term ???it?l gain (or loss).If w? change the ??l? d?t? t? ???um? the ??l? t?k?? place ?t a ??int where b?th ?rit?ri? f?r qualifying ??l?? h?v? b??n met, h?r?’? h?w the ???n?ri? plays ?ut if w? ???um? ?ur ?x?m?l? Jim sells hi? ORNG ?h?r?? on Jul? 20, 2017 ?t $130.75.Jim’? plan ?ntr? date is J?nu?r? 1, 2015, ?nd th? actual ?ur?h??? d?t? w?? Jun? 30, 2015, so a ??l? ?n Jul? 20, 2017 means the stock will h?v? b??n held for tw? years ?r m?r? from d?t? ?f ?ntr? ?nd ?t least ?n? year ?r m?r? from d?t? ?f ?ur?h???, so th? ??l? i? a ?u?lif?ing ??l?.Th? b?rg?in element ??l?ul?ti?n i? d?n? ?? follows:C?l?ul?ti?n 1: F?ir market v?lu? at di????iti?n ($130.75) minu? the amount paid ?t th? actual d?t? of ???ui?iti?n ($91.25). C?l?ul?ti?n 1= $39.50 ??r share.C?l?ul?ti?n 2: Th? ?m?unt ?f th? di???unt if th? ?ur?h??? ?f th? ?t??k had ???urr?d on the beginning d?t? of th? subscription period. Sin?? th? ?t??k ?ri?? on January 1 2015 w?? $107.35 ?nd 85% ?f th?t price is $91.25, th? bargain element under ??l?ul?ti?n 2 is $16.10.In this ????, ?in?? $16.10 (??l?ul?ti?n 2) i? l??? th?n $39.50, (??l?ul?ti?n 1) the bargain ?l?m?nt is $16.10 ?nd i? r???rt?d as ??m??n??ti?n in??m?.Jim’s cost basis b???m?? $107.35 per ?h?r? (hi? ??tu?l purchase ?ri?? ?f $91.25 ?lu? th? b?rg?in ?l?m?nt fr?m the ??m?ut?ti?n ?b?v?). With th? sale ?t $130.75, h? realizes a long-term ???it?l g?in of $23.40 ??r ?h?r? (??l? price minus ???t b??i?).Since l?ng-t?rm capital g?in t?x r?t?? are g?n?r?ll? more f?v?r?bl? th?n ?rdin?r? in??m? t?x r?t??, Jim ?nj??? ??m? ?dv?nt?g??u? tax b?n?fit? wh?n ??lling hi? ?t? ?k at a gain in a qualified sale.WH?T H????N? WHEN ST??K PRI?? D??R????? IN A QU?LIFI?D S?L?In situations wh?r? th? ?t??k price drops, the ??rti?i??nt m?? also benefit fr?m a ?u?lifi?d sale. Let’s ?x?min? th? ?itu?ti?n wh?r? Jim ??ll? hi? ?h?r?? ?n July 20, 2017 ?t $90.34. Under this scenario, calculation 2 r?m?in? th? ??m? ($16.10), but ??l?ul?ti?n 1 n?w becomes th? following:FMV at di????iti?n i? $90.35, l??? th? ?m?unt ??id ?t ???ui?iti?n: $91.25 = -0.90.Sin?? thi? ?m?unt i? l??? than z?r?, ??m??n??ti?n income is zero (but n?t negative) and the cost basis of the ?t??k b???m?? $91.25.U??n ??l? ?f th? stock, a l?ng-t?rm capital loss ?f $0.90 ??r ?h?r? is r??liz?d.Enrolment Process and Plan MechanicsEmployees must ???l? to ?nr?l in th? ?l?n ?t the n?xt available offering d?t?. On th? ???li??ti?n, th?? will ?t?t? the amount th?t they wi?h to ??ntribut? t? the plan (whi?h i? u?u?ll? limit?d t? ?b?ut 10% of th?ir take-home pay).C?ntributi?n? ?r? also limit?d t? $25,000 ??r ??l?nd?r ? ??r by th? IRS, r?g?rdl??? ?f any r??tri?ti?n? im????d by the ?m?l???r.After ???h ??? period, th? ?m?l???? deferrals ?r? placed in ????r?t? ????unt? until th? ?ur?h??? d?t?. The stock is th?n h?ld in ????r?t? accounts for ???h employee b? a transfer agent or br?k?r?g? firm until th?? ??ll th?ir ?h?r?? and ??ll??t the proceeds.P?t?nti?l G?inM?n? ESPPs ?ll?w their ?m?l????? t? purchase th?ir stock ?t a 10 to 15% discount from it? m?rk?t v?lu?, thu? ?r?viding th?m with ?n in?t?nt ???it?l g?in wh?n they ??ll.Furth?rm?r?, m?n? plans ?l?? have a l??k b??k ?r?vi?i?n that ?ll?w? the ?l?n t? u?? th? closing company share ?ri?? of either th? offering d?t? or th? purchase d?t?, whichever is lower. This can have ?n ?n?rm?u? impact ?n the amount ?f g?in th?t ??rti?i??nt? realize.Employers ??n set th?ir ?wn ??li?i?? ?b?ut ?ll?wing employees t? withdr?w th?ir fund? fr?m th? ?l?n b?tw??n ?ur?h??? d?t?? ?r ?h?ng? their contribution l?v?l?.Eligibilit?Qu?lifi?d ESPP? prohibit any ??r??n wh? ?wn? more th?n 5% ?f the ?t??k in the ??m??n? from participating in th? plan, ?nd the plan i? allowed to di??ll?w certain ??t?g?ri?? ?f ?m?l????? from plan ??rti?i??ti?n ?? w?ll, such ?? ?n??n? wh? h?? worked f?r th? company f?r l??? than ?n? year.All other employees mu?t b? m?d? un??nditi?n?ll? ?ligibl? for the plan.COMPLEX SITUATIONS THAT WARRANT EXTRA CAUTIONIt is u??ful t? ??ll ?? a disqualified ??l? und?r th? f?ll?wing three conditions:Stock ?t th? end of the ?ub??ri?ti?n period i? less th?n ?t th? b?ginning of th? ??ri?d.Th? stock h?? b??n held long enough to qualify for l?ng-t?rm ???it?l g?in treatment (e.g., one ???r from ?ur?h??? but n?t two ???r? from th? beginning ?f th? ?ub??ri?ti?n period).The current ?t??k ?ri?? i? high?r than th? ?rigin?l ?ur?h??? price.In thi? ?x?m?l?, du? t? th? b?rg?in element being ??m?ut?d at th? start of th? ?ub??ri?ti?n period ?nd th?r?f?r? th? high?r price, the unqualified ??l? should result in a l?w?r amount ?f ordinary income (?ub??ri?ti?n) ?nd a grea ter ?m?unt ?f l?ng-t?rm ???it?l gain in??m? th?n a qualified ??l?.L?t’? ???um? th? following situation t? ??? h?w this diff?r? fr?m ?ur ??rli?r ?x?m?l?. Su????? th? following f??t pattern:Jim ?nr?l? in his company’s ESPP program with ?n ?ntr? date ?f February 1, 2014.Employees receive a 15% di???unt on th? ?ur?h??? ?ri??.The ?ur?h??? price i? the l?w?r ?f th? price ?t th? b?ginning ?r the ?nd ?f th? ?ub??ri?ti?n ??ri?d.Th? ?ri?? on F?bru?r? 1, 2014 (b?ginning ?f th? ??ri?d) i? $100 ??r share.Th? ?ri?? on Jul? 31, 2014 (?nd ?f ?ub??ri?ti?n ??ri?d ?nd the purchase d?t?) i? $80 per ?h?r?.It i? n?w J?nu?r? 29, 2016 ?nd th? ?ri?? of th? ?t??k is $120 per ?h?r?.Und?r this scenario, w?uld Jim be b?tt?r ?ff ??lling t?d?? ?r waiting th? f?w extra d??? to meet th? ?rit?ri? for a ?u?lifi?d sale, assuming the ?t??k ?ri?? doesn’t m?t?ri?ll? ?h?ng??L??king first ?t a disqualified ??l?, Jim would realize ??m??n??ti?n in??m? of $12 ??r share (the 15% di???unt from the $80 ?h?r? ?ri?? ?t th? e nd of the subscription ??ri?d) ?nd a long-term ???it?l g?in income ?f $40 ??r ?h?r?.Under a ?u?lifi?d ??l?, Jim w?uld r???gniz? $15 per ?h?r? in ??m??n??ti?n income (r??r???nting th? 15% di???unt from th? $100 ?t??k price at the b?ginning ?f the ?ub??ri?ti?n period â€" this i? ??l?ul?ti?n 2, whi?h i? lower th?n ??l?ul?ti?n 1).Und?r a ?u?lifi?d ??l?, Jim w?uld realize l?ng-t?rm ???it?l g?in in??m? of $37 ??r ?h?r?.S? all ?l?? b?ing ??u?l, in thi? scenario, Jim w?uld be slightly b?tt?r ?ff d?ing a di??u?lif?ing di????iti?n.CONCLUSIVELYAll inv??t?r? ?h?uld note th?t a v?ri?t? of ?th?r factors ??n ??m? into ?l?? th?t m?? ?ff??t the d??i?i?n, hence the im??rt?n?? ?f planning for ??ur ????ifi? situation ?nd circumstances. This rules ???l? to ?th?r f?rm? ?f disposition ?? w?ll, such as a tr?n?f?r ?? a gift ?r ?? th? r??ult of the d??th ?f th? holder. Jim’? outcome in thi? ?rti?l? is not meant t? b? a “?n? size fits ?ll” ?n?w?r.As illu?tr?t?d, there are ????rtuniti?? to help minimiz? th? tax bit?, ?nd m?ximiz? the b?n?fit of th??? programs for th? ?l?n ??rti?i??nt?. In d?ing so, th? ??rti?i??nt should ?l?? consider the big ?i?tur?. H?w r?li?nt i? ??ur economic ?nd fin?n?i?l h??lth on th? h??lth ?f ??ur ??m??n??Thi? question ?ddr????? not only th? l?v?l ?f ?x???ur? ??ur portfolio h?? to ??ur ??m??n? ?t??k, but ?l?? t? ??ur r?li?n?? on ??ur salary, m?di??l benefits, in?ur?n?? ??v?r?g?, ?nd company retirement ?l?n programs.T?king th??? f??t?r? int? ??n?id?r?ti?n will h?l? ?ut the t?x ??n???u?n??? ?f ?n appropriate ?t??k div?r?ifi??ti?n ?r?gr?m int? better ??r????tiv?.Ri?k ?f H?lding C?m??n? St??kHolding a lot of ??ur w??lth in a ?ingl? ?t??k is ri?ki?r than ?th?r investment ???r???h??, ?u?h as owning ?n equity ind?x fund. On ?n inv??tm?nt ri?k scale ?f 1 t? 5, Owning a ?ingl? ?t??k as a ri?k l?v?l 5, ?utting it in th? highest ri?k ??t?g?r? r?l?tiv? to ?th?r ?h?i???.A? ??u n??r r?tir?m?nt your m?n?? h?? a defined job to do, which is t? provide r?li?bl? life-long in? ?m? f?r ??u. It is foolish t? ri?k a l?rg? portion ?f ??ur futur? in??m? ?n th? ?t??k performance ?f one company.Y?u m?? f??l ?n emotional attachment t? th? company. Thi? is ??mm?n. H?w?v?r, th?t d???n’t m??n ??u ?h?uld continue t? own a l?t ?f company ?t??k ?? ??u transition int? r?tir?m?nt.How mu?h i? t?? mu?h? Add u? th? value ?f all ??ur financial ????t?, such ?? ??ving?, inv??tm?nt?, ?nd r?tir?m?nt ????unt?. N?w divide th? v?lu? of th? stock ??u ?wn int? ??ur total financial ????t?. If a ?ingl? ?t??k h?lding represents more than 5% ?f ??ur fin?n?i?l ????t? th?t i? t?? mu?h.Here’s an ?x?m?l?.S?? you ?wn $50,000 ?f ??m??n? ?t??k, and ??u h?v? $500,000 in t?t?l fin?n?i?l ????t?. Th?t means 10% ?f your fin?n?i?l assets are in company stock. Th?t’? t?? mu?h.If ??u h?v? m?r? than 5% of your fin?n?i?l assets in company stock ??u’ll want to l?? ?ut a di????iti?n plan t? ??ll ?h?r??. Th?t’? wh?r? t?x?? come in.UNNECESSARY EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN MISTAKES TO AVOIDN?t knowi ng stock ?l?n rul?? wh?n l??ving the ??m??n?Wh?n ??u l??v? ??ur employer, wh?th?r it’? du? t? a n?w j?b, a layoff, or r?tir?m?nt, its im??rt?nt not to l??v? ??ur ?t??k ??ti?n grants behind. Under most companies ?t??k ?l?n rul??, ??u will have n? more th?n 90 d??? to ?x?r?i?? any existing ?t??k ??ti?n gr?nt?.While ??u m?? r???iv? a ??v?r?n?? package that l??t? 6 months ?r m?r?, d? n?t confuse th? terms ?f th?t package with th? ?x?ir?ti?n d?t? ?n ??ur ?t??k option gr?nt?.If your ??m??n? i? ???uir?d b? a ??m??tit?r or m?rg?? with ?n?th?r company, ??ur v??ting ??uld be ????l?r?t?d. In ??m? ?????, ??u might have th? ????rtunit? t? imm?di?t?l? exercise ??ur ??ti?n?.However, b? ?ur? to ?h??k th? t?rm? ?f the m?rg?r ?r ???ui?iti?n before ??ting. Find out if th? ??ti?n? ??u own in ??ur current companys ?t??k will be ??nv?rt?d to ??ti?n? t? acquire shares in th? new company.C?nt??t HR f?r d?t?il? ?n ??ur ?t??k ??ti?n gr?nt? b?f?r? ??u l??v? ??ur employer, ?r if your ??m??n? m?rg?? with ?n?t h?r ??m??n?.C?n??ntr?ting too mu?h of your wealth in company stockE?rning ??m??n??ti?n in th? f?rm ?f ??m??n? ?t??k ?r ??ti?n? to bu? ??m??n? ?t??k ??n b? highl? lu?r?tiv?, especially wh?n you w?rk f?r a ??m??n? whose ?t??k ?ri?? h?? b??n ri?ing for a l?ng tim?. At the ??m? tim?, ??u ?h?uld ??n?id?r whether ??u have t?? mu?h ?f ??ur ??r??n?l w??lth tied t? a ?ingl? stock.Why? Th?r? ?r? 2 m?in r????n?. Fr?m ?n inv??tm?nt perspective, h?ving ??ur inv??tm?nt? highly ??n??ntr?t?d in a ?ingl? stock, r?th?r than in a div?r?ifi?d ??rtf?li?, exposes you t? ?x???? volatility, b???d ?n th?t one ??m??n?.Moreover, when th?t ??m??n? i? also ??ur employer, your fin?n?i?l w?ll-b?ing is ?lr??d? highl? ??n??ntr?t?d in the f?rtun?? of th?t ??m??n? in the f?rm ?f ??ur j?b, your ????h??k, ?nd ??ur b?n?fit?, ?nd ????ibl? even ??ur r?tir?m?nt savings.S???nd, history, i? litt?r?d with f?rm?rl? high-fl?ing ??m??ni?? th?t l?t?r became in??lv?nt. Wh?n Enr?n filed for bankruptcy in 1999, m?r? than $1 billion in employee retirement savings ?v???r?t?d int? thin ?ir.L?hm?n Br?th?r? ?m?l????? ?h?r?d a similar f?t? in 2008 ?? did R?di? Sh??k w?rk?r? in 2015. C?n?id?r, t??, th?t in??m? fr?m your employer pays ??ur nondiscretionary monthly bill? and ??ur h??lth in?ur?n??. Sh?uld your ??m??n?? f?rtun?? t?k? a turn for the w?r??, you could find ??ur??lf ?ut ?f a j?b, with n? h??lth insurance and a d??l?t?d nest egg.St??k from an equity plan i? u?u?ll? a l?rg? ??m??n?nt of an employees annual compensation, so it? ???? f?r ??ur ??rtf?li? t? b???m? overly concentrated in ??ur ?m?l???r? ?t??k, says S?n??n??. But you n??d t? take a ?t?? b??k, ??n?id?r h?w th??? b?n?fit? fit int? your l?ng-t?rm fin?n?i?l ?bj??tiv??, ?u?h ?? ??ll?g? savings, r?tir?m?nt, ?r a vacation h?m?, and d?v?l?? a ?l?n t? div?r?if? ????rdingl?.C?n?ult with a fin?n?i?l advisor to ensure that ??ur investments are ???r??ri?t?l? div?r?ifi?d ?nd r??d Vi?w??int? ?n Fidelity.com: Th? risk of a ??n??ntr?t?d ??rtf?li?Ign?ring your company s employee ?t??k ?ur?h??? planEmployee ?t??k ?ur?h??? plans (ESPPs) ?ll?w you to ?ur?h??? your employers ?t??k, usually ?t a discount fr?m th? ?t??k? ?urr?nt f?ir market v?lu?.Th??? di???unt? t??i??ll? r?ng? from 5% t? 15%. M?n? plans ?l?? ?ff?r a l??k-b??k ??ti?n, whi?h ?ll?w? you t? bu? th? ?t??k based ?n th? price ?n th? first or last day of th? ?ff?ring period, whichever i? l?w?r. If ??ur company ?ff?r? a 15% di???unt ?nd th? ?t??k rose 5% during th? period, ??u could buy th? stock ?t a 20% di???unt, already a healthy ?r?t?x g?in.Unf?rtun?t?l?, some employees f?il to t?k? ?dv?nt?g? ?f th?ir ??m??n?? ESPP. If ??u ?r? n?t ??rti?i??ting, you m?? want to give your ESPP a ????nd l??k.Entr?-l?v?l employees ?ft?n ??t ?ut ?f their ESPP, notes S?n??n??. But as th?? b???m? more ??t?bli?h?d in th?ir careers ?nd more fin?n?i?ll? secure, th?? ?h?uld r???n?id?r their ESPP. D???nding ?n th? di???unt your ??m??n? ?ff?r?, ??u ??uld b? ????ing ?n th? ????rtunit? t? buy your ??m??n?? stock ?t a ?i gnifi??nt discount.L??k at ??ur ?urr?nt savings strategy including ?m?rg?n?? fund and retirement savingsâ€"and ??n?id?r ?utting ??m? of your ??ving? in an ESPP. You m?? be ?bl? t? u?? futur? raises t? fund the ?l?n with?ut impacting ??ur lif??t?l?.N?t Exercising Y?ur Stock O?ti?n Gr?nt?Wh?n you leave th? ??m??n?, ??u’ll h?v? a ??rt?in ??ri?d t? ?x?r?i?? ??ur ?t??k ??ti?n grants. Oft?n this i? 90 days. If the ??m??n? i? b?ught ?ut or m?rg?? with ?n?th?r ??m??n?, thi? ??n ?h?ng? ??ur v??ting ??h?dul?.B? sure to check with your HR d???rtm?nt in ?ith?r ????. Al??, stock option grants are u?u?ll? ????r?t? fr?m ?n? severance package. Whil? a ??v?r?n?? ???k?g? might b? ?ix m?nth? ?f ??l?r?, ??ur v??ting schedule may still b? 90 days.F?iling to update ??ur b?n?fi?i?r? inf?rm?ti?nA? with your 401(k) ?l?n ?r ?n? IRA? ??u ?wn, ??ur beneficiary d??ign?ti?n f?rm allows ??u t? d?t?rmin? wh? will r???iv? ??ur ????t? wh?n ??u di?â€"?ut?id? of ??ur will. If ??u have made n? b?n?fi?i?r? d??ign?ti? n, und?r most ?l?n rul?? the executor (or ?dmini?tr?t?r) will, in fact, treat equity ??m??n??ti?n ?? an ????t ?f ??ur ??t?t?.E??h tim? ??u r???iv? an equity ?w?rd, ??ur ?m?l???r will ??k ??u t? fill ?ut a beneficiary f?rm. Many grants range in lif? from 3 t? 10 years, during whi?h tim? m?n? factors ??n ?h?ng? in ??ur lif?.For example, if ??u were ?ingl? when ??u received ?n ??ti?n gr?nt, you m?? have n?m?d a ?ibling or parent as th? beneficiary.But 5 years later, ??u m?? b? m?rri?d with kids, in which case ??u w?uld lik?l? w?nt t? ?h?ng? ??ur b?n?fi?i?ri?? to ??ur ???u?? and/or children. The ??m? holds tru? if ??u w?r? m?rri?d ?nd g?t divorced, ?r div?r??d ?nd remarried. It? im??rt?nt t? ?lw??? u?d?t? ??ur beneficiaries.F?iling t? und?r?t?nd th? t?x ??n???u?n??? ?f ISO?Th?r? ?r? 2 kinds ?f ?t??k ??ti?n gr?nt?: incentive ?t??k ??ti?n? (ISOs) ?nd n?n?u?lifi?d ?t??k options (NSOs). Wh?n ??u receive ?n ISO gr?nt, th?r?? no immediate t?x effect ?nd ??u d? n?t h?v? to pay r?gul?r in??m? t ?x?? wh?n ??u ?x?r?i?? your ??ti?n?, ?lth?ugh th? value of th? di???unt ??ur employer ?r?vid?d ?nd th? gain m?? b? subject to ?lt?rn?tiv? minimum t?x (AMT).However, wh?n you sell ?h?r?? of th? ?t??k, youll b? r??uir?d t? pay ???it?l gains t?x??, ???uming ??u sold the ?h?r?? ?t a ?ri?? higher than your ?trik? price. T? ?u?lif? for the l?ng-t?rm ???it?l gains rate, ??u mu?t h?ld ??ur ?h?r?? at l???t 1 ???r from the d?t? ?f th? exercise ?nd 2 ???r? fr?m the grant date.If ??u sell ISO ?h?r?? b?f?r? the required h?lding ??ri?d, thi? is known ?? a di??u?lif?ing di????iti?n. In such a case, th? difference b?tw??n th? f?ir m?rk?t v?lu? of th? ?t??k ?t ?x?r?i?? (th? ?trik? price) and th? gr?nt ?ri??â€"?r th? ?ntir? amount ?f g?in on th? ??l?, if less will be taxed as ?rdin?r? income, ?nd any r?m?ining g?in is t?x?d as a capital gain. For most people, th?ir ?rdin?r? in??m? t?x rate is high?r than the l?ng-t?rm ???it?l g?in? tax r?t?.Whil? t?x?? ?r? important, th?? ?h?uld n?t be ??ur ??l? ??n ?id?r?ti?n. You also need t? ??n?id?r th? ri?k that your companys stock price could d??lin? from it? current level. B? aware of your t?x ?itu?ti?n, but also und?r?t?nd h?w th? company i? performing in th? marketplace, b???u?? th?r? ?r? ?l?? risks t? ??ntinuing to h?ld th? shares, ???? S?n??n??. Know whi?h ?h?r?? ?r? ?u?lifi?d f?r special tax tr??tm?nt, wh?t th? h?lding ??ri?d? are, ?nd exercise stock ??ti?n? ????rdingl?.C?n?ult with a t?x ?dvi??r b?f?r? ??u exercise ??ti?n? ?r ??ll ??m??n? ?t??k ???uir?d through an ??uit? ??m??n??ti?n plan.N?t filing F?rm 8949 after ?n immediate sale ?f ESPP shares ?t ?ur?h???With ?n immediate ??l? ?f ??ur ESPP shares at ?ur?h???, the di???unt i? r???rt?d on ??ur W-2 and on ??ur t?x r?turn ?? ordinary in??m?. Ev?n though ??u n?v?r h?ld the ?t??k (?r ?t least n?t for l?ng) after purchase, you still need t? report thi? sale transaction on F?rm 8949 ?nd S?h?dul? D, whi?h ?r? u??d to r???rt capital gains ?nd losses on ?ll ?t??k ??l??.Y?u m?? ?v?n have ? ?m? ?m?ll g?in? ?r l?????, d???nding on h?w your company ??l?ul?t?? th? discount ?t ?ur?h???, h?w long it t?k?? f?r th? ?h?r?? to b???m? ?v?il?bl? in your ????unt, ?nd ?n? ??mmi??i?n? ?nd f??? f?r th? ?t??k sale.If th? IRS were to r???iv? a r???rt ?f your gr??? ??l? ?r????d? from ??ur br?k?r (?n F?rm 1099-B) but with?ut a ??rr????nding r???rt of th? ??l? on ??ur Form 8949, it w?uld think ??u had failed to r???rt th? g?in ?n th? ??l?. Assuming a t?x b??i? of $0, th? IRS ??m?ut?r? would then ?ut?m?ti??ll? ??nd ??u a notice for the taxes due.Paying t?x ?n the discount t?? earlyD???nding ?n th? d??ign of your companys ESPP, S??ti?n 423 ?f the Int?rn?l Revenue Code l?t? you bu? ??m??n? ?h?r?? thr?ugh after-tax ???r?ll d?du?ti?n? at a di???unt of u? t? 15% off th? f?ir m?rk?t v?lu? of ??ur companys ?t??k. You should n?t in?lud? th? di???unt as ??rt ?f ??ur t?x?bl? in??m? f?r the ???r of ?ur?h??? unl??? ??u also ??ld th? ?h?r?? in the same ???r.Wh?n ??u d?nt ??ti?f? th? ESPP h?lding period s, ??u h?v? ??m??n??ti?n in??m? in the ???r ?f ??l? ??u?l t? the spread at purchase, i.e. the difference b?tw??n the fair m?rk?t value ?f th? stock ?n th? ?ur?h??? d?t? ?nd th? di???unt?d ?ri?? ??u actually paid f?r it.F?r sales of ?t??k from ESPPs th?t ?r? n?t t?x-?u?lifi?d und?r IRC S??ti?n 423, th? taxation, ?l?ng with th? ??t?nti?l reporting mi?t?k??, is similar t? that for NQSOs. Th? in??m? w?uld b? r???rt?d, ?nd w?uld ?????r on ??ur W-2, in th? ???r ?f ?ur?h???, r?g?rdl??? ?f wh?th?r you ??ll th? ?t??k.Dir??tl? u?ing wh?t appears ?? the ???t b??i? on ??ur F?rm 1099-BThe expanded F?rm 1099-B d??? not n??d t? r???rt th? ??m??n??ti?n ?l?m?nt ?f ??ur ???t basis, and th? basis d??? n?t n??d t? b? included for ?t??k that w?? ?ur?h???d before 2011. Thi? m??n? ??u mu?t ?h??k th? ???ur??? ?f th? b??i? ?nd make ?n? n??????r? ?dju?tm?nt? in th? 1099-B d?t? th?t ??u tr?n?f?r to Form 8949.If ??m??n??ti?n in??m? i? n?t ??rt ?f the t?x b??i? reported in Box 3 on F?rm 1099-B, m?k? ?n adjustme nt in column (f) ?f F?rm 8949 ?nd add ??d? B in ??lumn (b). Sh?uld B?x 3 b? bl?nk, r???rt th? full b??i? in ??lumn (f).N?t DiversifyingDepending ?n the di???unt? being ?ff?r?d b? ??ur ?m?l???r, it ??n be diffi?ult t? not dump ?? mu?h money as ????ibl? int? th? ESPP. But overweighting ??ur portfolio int? ?n? single investment increases risk.If th? company starts mi??ing earnings ?u?rt?r after quarter, th? ?t??k ??n ?ui?kl? lose v?lu? ?nd r?m?in b?l?w ??ur ?v?r?g? ???t. Y?ur employer’s ?t??k i? ju?t ?n?th?r inv??tm?nt in ??ur ??rtf?li? ?nd ?h?uld h?v? ?r???r ?ll???ti?n.Be Aw?r? Of Your V??ting ScheduleC?m??ni?? will often v??t ??ur options ?v?r time. This m??n? in the fir?t ???r; you might own 20%. Th?n ?ft?r th? ????nd year 50% until you are full? v??t?d at 100%.Th? schedule d???nd? ?n th? company.Y?ur v??ting schedule ??n b? a determining factor if you ?r? ??n?id?ring l??ving th? ??m??n?.Separating C?m??n??ti?n In??m? from Capital G?in? In??m?Now l?t? ?ut t?g?th?r the story so f?r and see where thi? leads us in terms of t?x tr??tm?nt. An ?m?l???? works for a company. Th? ??m??n? ??t up ?n ESPP. The employee h?d money d?du?t?d (?ft?r t?x??) from each paycheck, ?nd th?t m?n?? w?? u??d t? bu? ?h?r?? in the ??m??n?? stock.   N?w th? ?m?l???? sells th? ?t??k.At thi? ??int in th? ?t?r?, we n??d to m?k? some di?tin?ti?n?. Did th? ?m?l???? purchase stock at a di???unt? Th?t discount is picked u? ?? ??m??n??ti?n in??m? wh?n th? ?h?r?? ?r? sold. Th? r??t th? in?r???? (or decrease) in value ?f the shares i? ???it?l gains in??m?. Thi? h?? a wh?l? h??t ?f implications. Right now we ?r? going t? focus ?n just ?n? aspect: thats h?w t? measure compensation in??m?.H?r?? wh?t I m??n: lets say our ?li?nt acquires 1 share ?f XYZ ?t??k f?r $85. On th?t day, XYZ ?t??k w?? w?rth $100 ??r ?h?r?. Th? employee g?t a 15% discount ?n th? purchase ?ri??. N?w h? ??ll? his 1 share ?f XYZ for $125. Ov?r?ll, ?ur client ??rn? $40 ?n this inv??tm?nt: th? $125 h? ??ld the ?t??k f?r minu? th? $ 85 h? ??id for the stock. Wh?t we d? n?w i? ????r?t? this $40 income int? two components: compensation in??m? ?nd ???it?l g?in?.H?w is ??m??n??ti?n in??m? measured? W? h?v? thr?? f?rmul??. D? ??u n??d t? kn?w thi?? Y?? ?nd heres why. Iv? seen brokerage houses r???rt th? wr?ng b??i? ?n the Form 1099-B. Sometimes they get it right. S?m?tim?? th?? g?t it wr?ng. If ??u kn?w th? ??m??n??ti?n in??m?, th?n you can get an ???ur?t? calculation ?f b??i?. And th?n ??ull b? in a position t? ?ut th? right numb?r? on ??ur t?x r?turn.Th?r? are thr?? f?rmul?? f?r m???uring compensation in??m?. Whi?h f?rmul?? w? u?? depends ?n wh?th?r we have a ?u?lif?ing di????iti?n ?r a non-qualifying disposition.For ?u?lif?ing dispositions, ??m??n??ti?n in??m? is th? lower ?f:Th? f?ir m?rk?t value of th? ?t??k ?n th? d?t? th? ??ti?n was gr?nt?d, minu? th? price paid t? ?x?r?i?? the ??ti?n.The f?ir market v?lu? ?f the stock ?n th? d?t? th? stock was sold, minu? the ?ri?? ??id to ?x?r?i?? th? option.F?r non-qualify ing di????iti?n?, compensation income i?:F?ir m?rk?t v?lu? ?f the ?t??k ?n th? d?t? th? ??ti?n w?? exercised, minus the price ??id to exercise the ??ti?n.F?rtun?t?l?, we d?nt have t? g? digging f?r thi? information. M??t ?f this d?t? i? found ?n F?rm 3922. Employers prepare this f?rm ?nd i??u? it t? th?ir employees whenever ?t??k i? tr?n?f?rr?d und?r an ?m?l???? ?t??k ?ur?h??? ?l?n.What inf?rm?ti?n is n?t f?und on F?rm 3922? Th? f?ir m?rk?t v?lu? on the d?t? th? ?li?nt sold th? stock. Thats b???u?? F?rm 3922 is ?r???r?d ?nd i??u?d wh?n the ESPP ?h?r?? are tr?n?f?rr?d to th? employee, whi?h i? n??d?d for f?rmul? B, above. Th? f?ir m?rk?t v?lu? ?f the stock on th? d?t? sold is g?ing t? ?h?w u? ?n th? F?rm 1099-B fr?m th? br?k?r?g?.S? thi? w?uld b? a good tim? t? g?t familiar with this f?rm.BENEFITS OF YOUR COMPANYS EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLANInv??ting in an ?m?l???? ?t??k purchase plan ??n provide ??u with a numb?r of benefits wh?n you ?r? ??ving f?r r?tir?m?nt. If ??ur ??m??n? offer s thi? type of plan, th?r? ?r? a f?w reasons th?t ??u might w?nt t? ??n?id?r g?tting inv?lv?d.Di???untOn? ?f th? bigg??t ?dv?nt?g?? ?f inv??ting in ?n ?m?l???? stock ?ur?h??? ?l?n i? th? di???unt th?t you can g?t ?n ?t??k?. With thi? t??? of plan, ??u will essentially b? able to purchase ?t??k in your ??m??n? cheaper than anyone in the m?rk?t could.Thi? giv?? ??u a competitive advantage over th? r??t ?f th? m?rk?t?l??? from the very b?ginning. In some cases, th? di???unt might n?t be v?r? substantial.In ?th?r ?????, you ??n g?t a di???unt of ?? mu?h ?? 15 percent fr?m wh?t th? stock i? ?urr?ntl? w?rth. Although 15 ??r??nt might n?t ??und lik? mu?h, wh?n ??u are t?lking ?b?ut l?rg? ?um? ?f money, thi? ??uld be substantial.When it comes to ??ur r?tir?m?nt, ??u could d?finit?l? use ?ll ?f th? help th?t ??u can g?t.A Stake in the CompanyWh?n ??u ?ur?h??? ?t??k in your company, ??u will have a stake in th? ?u????? ?f th? company. M?n? ?m?l????? l??k ?t th?ir jobs as nothing more th?n a s teady ????h??k. B???u?? of this, th?? may n?t ?ut their full ?ff?rt? int? w?rk. Wh?n th?? d? n?t have ?n?thing t? g?in b? w?rking h?rd?r ?r helping the company, th?? t?nd t? coast b?.H?w?v?r, wh?n ??u have a ?t?k? in the success ?f ??ur ??m??n?, you ?r? much m?r? lik?l? t? ?nj?? your work ?nd giv? it your best ?ff?rt. Y?u can dir??tl? influence th? ?u????? of ??ur ??m??n? b? g?ing the extra mile, ?nd it will ?l?? h?l? your r?tir?m?nt.T?x B?n?fit?By inv??ting in ?n ?m?l???? stock ?ur?h??? ?l?n, ??u will ?l?? b? able t? take advantage ?f ??rt?in tax benefits. F?r ?x?m?l?, ??u will not h?v? t? ??? t?x?? ?n the ?t??k g?in? until ??u sell ??ur ?h?r??. Thi? allows ??u t? keep the ?t??k in ??ur ?ur?h??? ?l?n without ever h?ving to ??ll ?n? ?f it t? pay t?x??. Ov?r tim?, thi? ??n make a ?ub?t?nti?l diff?r?n?? in the amount of stock th?t you ?r? ?bl? t? ?ur?h??? ?nd h?w much m?n?? you ??n ??v? for r?tir?m?nt. In addition t? th?t, ??u will be ?bl? t? ??? the ???it?l gains tax rate on ??ur ?t? ?k ??l?? if ??u w?it ?t l???t ?n? year ?ft?r ?ur?h??ing a stock and tw? years ?ft?r it is initi?ll? i??u?d.A? f?r t?x??, ?lth?ugh th? m?n?? d?du?t?d fr?m ??ur ????h??k will b? t?x?d lik? th? r??t ?f your salary (i.e., ???t-t?x), ??u h?v? ??t?nti?l t?x benefits under S??ti?n 423 ESPP? if you ?r? willing to hold th? ?h?r?? f?r ?t least ?n? ???r fr?m th? purchase d?t? ?nd tw? years from th? beginning ?f th? purchase period: ?n? tax li?bilit? i? deferred until th? ?t??k i? sold, ?nd only the ?ur?h??? ?ri?? discount (?r your ??tu?l gain ?n sale, if l?w?r) will b? t?x?d ?t ?rdin?r? in??m? rates, with th? rest ?f ??ur g?in ?? long-term capital g?in.F?r ?l?n? with a l??kb??k f??tur?, th? di???unt th?t i? ?ubj??t to ?rdin?r? in??m? t?x is ??m?ut?d ?? ?f th? fir?t d?? ?f th? purchase ??ri?d.Y?u C?n Opt Out And G?t Y?ur Money B??k!At ?n? tim? up to th? ?ur?h??? date, ESPP? typically allow ??u t? withdraw ?ll of your money fr?m ???umul?t?d payroll deductions in?t??d ?f ?ur?h??ing th? ?h?r??.   Ch??k ??ur ??m??n?? ?r???dur?? f?r d?ing thi? during ?n ?ng?ing offering ?nd for r?-?nr?lling l?t?r in th? ESPP. In short, you h?v? absolutely n?thing t? l??? and mu?h t? g?in b? participating in an ESPP!H?w To R??? Th? Full B?n?fit?Inv??ting in ?n? ??m??n?? ?t??k i? ri?k?: we ?ll know th?t. M?rk?t? g? u? ?nd d?wn. But with risks come r?w?rd?, ?nd h?nging on f?r th? l?ng term (as ??????d t? ??lling the stock immediately on th? ?ur?h??? date f?r a ?ui?k gain) i?, m?r? ?ft?n th?n not, rewarding. You ?r?b?bl? w?nt get ri?h overnight b? participating in a ??m??n? ESPP. Ov?r time, however, the gains ??n be attractive.Ex?m?l?: You h?v? $5,000 deducted fr?m your ??? t? inv??t at th? end ?f ?v?r? offering period. Th? ?ri?? ?t th? beginning ?f ?n? ??ri?d was $10 but dr????d to $5 by th? ?ur?h??? date. With ??ur 15% discount, ??u purchase 1,176 shares ?t $4.25 ??r ?h?r? (1,176 x $4.25 = $5,000).Th? next ?ff?ring period b?gin? ?n th? following d??, wh?n the ?t??k is ?till at $5, ?nd ends when the ?t??k is $10 ??r ?h?r?. Ag?in, with th? lookback f??tur? ?nd th? di???unt, ??u ?ur?h??? ?n?th?r 1,176 ?h?r?? at $4.25 ??r ?h?r?.When the ?h?r? ?ri?? r???h??, ???, $20, th? t?t?l of 2,352 shares you ?ur?h???d f?r $10,000 will h?v? already ??rn?d you a ?r?-t?x g?in ?f $37,044 ($20 $4.25 = $15.75; $15.75 x 2,352 = $37,044). Now th?t? ?utting ??ur money t? w?rk!TransfersAn?th?r benefit ?f inv??ting in an employee ?t??k ?ur?h??? ?l?n i? th?t ??u ??n potentially transfer your ?h?r?? t? ??ur ?hildr?n.If ??u d??id? that ??u w?nt t? l??v? ??m? ?f the stock t? your kid?, ??u ?h?uld be able t? d? ?? without ?n? problems as l?ng ?? your plan ?ll?w? for this option.A Gr??t DealS??ti?n 423 ESPPs ?r? ?lm??t too good to b? tru?. Alth?ugh the m??h?ni?? of ESPPs v?r?, ?l?n? that m??t the ??nditi?n? und?r S??ti?n 423 ?f th? Int?rn?l R?v?nu? C?d? g?n?r?ll? ?ff?r th? b??t d??l f?r ?m?l?????. What m?k?? a S??ti?n 423 plan ?? appealing is the d?ubl?-b?rr?l?d g??di? that ??m?? from a di???unt?d price along with ??m?thing called a lookback feature.Unfortunately, m?n? ?m?l????? d?nt full? understand how the di???unt ?nd lookback f??tur?? w?rk. A? a r??ult, th?? might pass up a d??l th?t i? almost t?? g??d t? b? tru?. Even with th? ????unting change th?t h?? m?d? it more costly f?r ??m??ni?? t? ?ff?r discounts with lookbacks, ESPP? remain an ?ttr??tiv? b?n?fit f?r tax reasonsTh? bigg??t discount th? IRS ?ll?w? is 15%, but (h?r?? th? ki?k?r) it can be much gr??t?r if ??ur ESPP h?? a lookback f??tur?: your ?ur?h??? ?ri?? i? 15% ?ff the m?rk?t price at ?ith?r th? b?ginning ?r the end ?f th? ?ur?h??? ??ri?d, whichever i? l?w?r, and a typical plan ?ur?h??? period runs for six m?nth?.Ex?m?l?: The ?t??k ?ri?? i? $10 ?t th? b?ginning of the ?ur?h??? ??ri?d ?nd g??? up t? $20 ?t th? end. Your ?ur?h??? ?ri?? i? just $8.50-a h?ft? 135% r?turn! Ev?n if th? price n?v?r m?v?? from $10, the 15% di???unt results in ?n $8.50 ?ur?h??? ?ri??, giving you a 17.6% return ($10 $8.50 = $1.50; $1.50/$8.50 = 17.6%). Even if th? ?ri?? dr??? t?, ???, $5 at th? ?nd ?f th? purchase period, ??ur ?ur?h??? ?ri?? will be $4.25, so ??u will still g?t a 17.6% return ($5 $4.25 = $.75; $.75/$4.25 = 17.6%)Divid?nd?K??? in mind t?? that if ??ur company ???? divid?nd? th? d??l g?t? ?v?n b?tt?r. You will r???iv? a ?h??k f?r th? dividend ?m?unt each quarter f?r th? ?t??k ??u h?ld.If your ??m??n? has a divid?nd reinvestment plan, ??u h?v? ??t ?n?th?r ????rtunit? t? t?k? ?dv?nt?g? ?f dollar ???t ?v?r?ging to bu? ?v?n m?r? shares of company ?t??k.COMMON EXCUSES TO AVOID WHEN YOU WANT TO MAKE AN INVESTMENTI ??n’t ?ff?rd it: In ??m? situations I ??n totally g?t thi? r????ning, but m??t ?f the tim? it ??m?? d?wn t? ???r budg?ting. If you ??n m?k? some ?dju?tm?nt? with ??ur spending, ??u ??uld t?k? that ??ving? and put it t?w?rd? your stock ?l?n. Y?u might n?t b? ?bl? to max ?ut ??ur ESPP, but ?t least you’ll b? g?tting ??m? fr?? m?n??.I’m n?t sure h?w long I’ll be with the ??m??n?: It d???n’t m? tt?r h?w long ??u plan ?n ?t??ing with th? ??m??n?, it’? ?till fr?? money. With most ?m?l???? ?t??k purchase ?l?n?, if ??u l??v? th? ??m??n?, ??ur vesting ??ri?d will ?nd imm?di?t?l?. Th?t m??n? ??u’ll g?t any ?ut?t?nding ?t??k right ?w?? ?? th?r?’? n? r????n not t? j?in.I’m inv??ting in other thing?: Div?r?if?ing is im??rt?nt, but th? m?t?h or discount ?n your company ?t??k ?l?n i? a gu?r?nt??d r?turn. On? strategy t? try is t? m?x ?ut ??ur ?t??k plan first, ?t th? end ?f th? ???r sell some ?h?r?? ?nd then inv??t in ??ur RRSP. This w?? ??u’r? getting th? m?ximum b?n?fit from your employer ?nd ??u’ll g?t a tax refund! Thi? also b?n?fit? ??u since ??u n?v?r w?nt t? h?v? too much ?f ??ur w??lth tied t? a ?ingl? stock.I’ll get t?x?d: T?x?? are important but it shouldn’t b? a r????n to ?v?id ??ur ESPP. G?n?r?ll? ????king th? ?m?l???r m?t?h will b? a t?x?bl? benefit, divid?nd? will b? t?x?d at your marginal r?t?, and ??u’ll have t? pay ???it?l g?in? wh?n ??u ??ll (assum ing the ?t??k h?? gone up), but ?v?r?ll tax implications ?f an employee ?t??k ?ur?h??? ?l?n i? ?r?tt? minor.