October saw a slight rise in the unemployment rate according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Still, 3.7% is a lower number. This may mean your business is still struggling to fill open positions.

One option to entice perspectives is offers attractive stocks. This many help not only attract, but also motivate and retain employees as well.

The Finer Points Of Incentive Stock Options (Isos)
Stock options confer the right to buy a certain number of shares at a fixed price for a specified time. Typically, they’re subject to a vesting schedule. This requires recipients to stay with the company for a certain amount of time or meet stated performance goals.

ISOs offer attractive tax advantages for employees. Unlike nonqualified stock options (NQSOs), which we’ll discuss below, ISOs don’t generate taxable compensation when they’re exercised. The employee isn’t taxed until the shares are sold. And if the sale is a ‘qualifying disposition,’ 100% of the stock’s appreciation is treated as capital gain and is free from payroll taxes.

To qualify, ISOs must meet certain requirements:

• They must be granted under a written plan that’s approved by shareholders within one year before or after adoption
• The exercise price must be at least the stock’s fair market value (FMV) on the grant date (110% of FMV for more-than-10% shareholders)
• The term can’t exceed 10 years (five years for more-than-10% shareholders)

Additionally, the options can’t be granted to non-employees. What’s more, employees can’t sell the shares sooner than one year after the options are exercised or two years after they’re granted.

And the total FMV of stock options that first become exercisable by an employee in a calendar year can’t exceed $100,000.

How NQSOS Differ
NQSOs are stock options that don’t qualify as ISOs. Typically, the exercise price is at least the stock’s FMV on the grant date. (Various tax complications may ensue, which we won’t get into here.) The NQSO itself generally isn’t considered taxable compensation because there’s no taxable event until exercise. At that time, the spread between the stock’s FMV and the exercise price is treated as compensation.

Although NQSOs are taxed as ordinary income upon exercise, they have several advantages over ISOs. First, they’re not subject to the ISO requirements listed above, so they’re more flexible. For example, they can be granted to independent contractors, outside directors or other non-employees. Second, they generate tax deductions for the employer and don’t expose recipients to liability for the alternative minimum tax.

Look Before You Leap
If you’re considering equity-based compensation, it’s important to review the pros, cons, and tax implications before offering either type of stock option. Contact us for help evaluating the cost vs. benefit impact of this or any other recruitment strategy you’re considering.