Can companys have a short exercise cut-off?
September 26, 2011
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010
From: Matt
Hi-
My fiancé was given 5,000 stock options by her employer. She resigned and was immediately asked to leave. Her stock option agreement stated that options must be exercised within 30 days of termination of employment. She sent her exercise notice on the 31st day after termination (via fax).
The company did not respond. Is there any grace period? I saw the Internal Revenue Code states 90 days after termination (for incentive stock options). Any grounds for an argument?
Thanks!
Answer
Date: 5 Feb 2010
Hello Matt,
She might want to consult with an attorney, but I’m not very optimistic. The Internal Revenue Code gives parameters within which a plan can be written, but the plan can state a shorter period to exercise than the Code and will “trump” the Code provision. The fax should “date stamp” the notice as late.
Good luck!
Mike Gray