How will my stock grants be taxed?
February 11, 2004
Subject: Stock Grant Plan
Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2004
From: Susan
Hello Michael,
Our company gives employees stock grants as an incentive compensation. Employees pay no cash for the stock received. The stock is vested at a cumulative 5% each year. When the employee leaves the company, he/she needs to sell the stock back to the company. What is the tax treatment for this stock? Is this a non-qualified plan? Will the employee be taxed on FICA, FIT, FUTA, SUTA, and SIT? Please help. Thanks.
Susan
Answer
Date: Mon, 02 Feb 2004
Hello Susan,
The stock grant results in ordinary (wages) income to the employees. The income is computed as the stock grant vests based on the fair market value on the vesting dates, unless the employee elects under Internal Revenue Code Section 83(b) within 30 days of receiving the grant to have the transaction considered completed on the date of grant, in which case all of the income will be taxable on that date. The income is subject to income and payroll taxes. Your employer should have given you information about these consequences.
Good luck!
Mike Gray