10/07/2026
Stock Options & Executive Comp: What to Know Before You Exercise - Timing, tax treatment, and concentration risk
Know Your Option Type - Statutory options (ISOs, employee stock purchase plans) and nonstatutory options are taxed differently ISOs generally aren't taxed at grant or exercise, but can trigger the alternative minimum tax. Nonstatutory options are typically taxed on the spread at exercise
Timing Decisions Carry Weight - When you exercise, and when you sell, can shift both your tax bill and your risk exposure. Holding period requirements can affect whether a gain is taxed as a capital gain or as ordinary income. Tax specifics are best handled in coordination with a qualified CPA or tax attorney
Watch Concentration Risk - A large share of net worth tied to one company's stock can amplify both gains and losses. Diversification is a common strategy for managing that exposure β though it doesn't guarantee against loss. Worth revisiting anytime your equity position grows significantly
Executive compensation rarely works in isolation: it touches retirement timing, taxes, and the rest of your plan.
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