How can I get better tax treatment for a forced sale?
October 17, 2011
Date: Sat, 23 Feb 2008
From: John
Mr. Gray,
My company was sold last fall. I owned stock and had outstanding options at the time of the sale. It was a cash deal for all the existing stock and options. On the date of sale, all stockholders sold their shares or had their options purchased. The sale terms include a delayed payment schedule that extends to the first and second anniversary of the closing date. We received 60% at closing plus 20% plus interest on the next two anniversaries.
Can I delay claiming the sale of some of the stock and options until the first or second anniversary so that I can claim the gains as long-term instead of short term?
Thanks much for your response.
Answer
Date: 14 Mar 2008
Hello John,
If your company was not publicly traded, the sale of stock might qualify for installment sale reporting. Your holding period for the stock will not change from short term to long term. The sale should be reported on Form 6252.
There is a question whether taxation is deferred for ordinary income for buying out your options until you receive the payments. These amounts should be reported on your W-2 form from the successor company. Most of my clients’ employers are postponing showing the income until it’s paid. I wish somebody would apply for a ruling on this issue. Any volunteers?
Good luck!
Mike Gray