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Tax Season Content At myStockOptions.com Offers Crucial Tax Return Guidance For People With Stock-Based Compensation

Brookline, MA (PRWEB) March 8, 2011

For people with stock compensation (and their financial advisors), every tax season raises worries about making errors on tax returns that can lead to paying too much tax, penalties from the IRS, or even the ordeal of an IRS audit. With heightened IRS scrutiny of tax reporting, the need to avoid expensive mistakes with tax returns has never been stronger.

The clear, concise, and easy-to-read content at myStockOptions.com can help. The website has updated and expanded its guidance on the filing and reporting of tax returns that involve stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, stock appreciation rights, and employee stock purchase plans. Core articles and FAQs, including diagrams of IRS forms, spell out the most common mistakes people make with stock grants on their tax returns. Annotated illustrations of Schedule D show exactly how to report sales of company stock. A fun, engaging podcast conveys key tips for tax returns, including errors to avoid.

“The tax reporting for stock compensation is complex,” states Bruce Brumberg, Editor-in-Chief of myStockOptions.com. “Even accountants and tax advisors sometimes make mistakes. Our goal is to help employees and their financial or tax advisors realize the full potential of equity grants by educating them about tax rules and helping them prevent costly errors. The last thing taxpayers want, especially now, is to pay too much tax or incur IRS penalties that take yet more money out of their pockets.”

More Than Just The Basics

The content on tax topics covers more than just the nuts and bolts of reporting and filing. The website’s award-winning content covers the full range of tax topics that stock grant holders may need to be familiar with. These topics include:

stock compensation issues that draw IRS scrutiny
interpreting Form W-2 for accurate tax-return reporting
understanding the new IRS Form 3922 for ESPPs and Form 3921 for ISOs
key changes in the income exemption amounts for calculating the alternative minimum tax
revised rules for using old AMT credits to help taxpayers stuck with ISO stock whose value has dropped
the complexity of estimated taxes with stock compensation
netting capital gains and losses with company stock
the impact of the deferred compensation provisions in IRC Section 409A
tax law changes made by the Tax Relief Act of 2010

Tax Center Makes Sense Of Reporting On Form W-2 And Schedule D

The hub of tax coverage on myStockOptions.com is the Tax Center. This part of the site includes FAQs that explain the reporting of stock compensation that employees receive on Form W-2. With clear annotations on the real IRS form, other FAQs show exactly how to report sales of company stock on Schedule D of Form 1040 (see the section Reporting Company Stock Sales on myStockOptions.com).

“Employees understand concepts much better using the straightforward illustrations provided by myStockOptions.com,” says one stock plan manager whose company has licensed the Tax Center to help its employees. “They find the tax information and annotated tax forms extremely helpful in simplifying the tax filing for stock trades. They are thrilled that this makes tax time easy.” (For information on corporate services, see the relevant section below.)

New Content Demystifies IRS Forms 3922 And 3921

A new set of content explains IRS Form 3922 for employee stock purchase plans and IRS Form 3921 for incentive stock options. With annotated examples of the forms that translate IRS jargon into understandable language, these articles and FAQs clarify what taxpayers need to understand about the information provided by the forms, which can help them better understand the complexities of ESPP or ISO taxation.

While the forms are not needed for tax-return reporting, they give the IRS new tools for catching expensive errors on the tax returns of people who sold ESPP or ISO stock. “Forms 3922 and 3921 ensure that the IRS will have more information about ESPP and ISO stock than it had before,” warns Mr. Brumberg. “This means the IRS will be better equipped to catch reporting mistakes, making accurate and timely tax return reporting now even more important.”

Clear Answers For All Types Of Stock Grants

Using concise explanations and easy-to-follow annotated diagrams of the actual IRS form, detailed FAQs show employees, accountants, and tax advisors how to complete Schedule D (“Capital Gains and Losses”) for a variety of situations involving sales of stock from:

nonqualified stock options (NQSOs)
incentive stock options (ISOs)
restricted stock
restricted stock units (RSUs)
performance shares
employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs)
stock appreciation rights (SARs)

These diagrams occur in the section Reporting Company Stock Sales, which answers a wide variety of questions, from basic to complex. Advanced reporting situations, all fully illustrated, include:

I exercised NQSOs, held the stock, and now have long-term capital gains on the sale. Do I get any “credit” on my tax return for the income tax I paid for the spread at exercise?

How am I taxed if I have made a disqualifying disposition of incentive stock option (ISO) shares in a different year than the year I exercised the option?

When I hold restricted stock and performance shares after vesting and later have capital gains on the sale, will I get any “credit” for the income tax I paid at vesting?

When my restricted stock units vested, my company automatically withheld shares to cover the tax. Do I need to report these shares on my Schedule D?

My company’s employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) is not tax-qualified under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. How do I report any gain that results from the sale of my ESPP shares on my federal income-tax return?

How do I report any gain that results from the sale of my stock appreciation rights (SARs) shares on my federal income-tax return?

The answers to these questions are presented in plain English and are clearly illustrated. In an additional benefit for subscribers, all Premium and Pro Members can contact the experts at myStockOptions.com if they have complex questions not answered by the website.

Pro Membership Gives Advisors A Crucial Edge During Tax Season

myStockOptions.com Pro is a special membership for financial advisors, CPAs, and other professionals who have clients with stock compensation. MSO Pro gives advisors full access to the whole website and special features in the tools, where they can track and model stock grants for up to 25 separate clients. Access to the vast library of content at myStockOptions.com puts answers to tough client questions right at advisors’ fingertips. For more information, visit myStockOptions.com or call 617-734-1979.

Corporate Licensing Available

All the content on myStockOptions.com is ideally suited for licensing by companies and stock plan providers for their stock plan participants. A customized version of the website’s award-winning content can be seamlessly woven into companies’ HR, benefits, and/or compensation portals. Accessible through any internet browser, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, licensed content from myStockOptions.com lets stock plan participants answer their own questions about their stock grants whenever they need to learn more–saving time for the stock plan staff and costs for the company. For more information, visit myStockOptions.com or call 617-734-1979.

About myStockOptions.com

With exclusive articles, 750+ FAQs, the Tax Center, Global Tax Guide, an extensive glossary, and interactive tools, myStockOptions.com is the premier online resource of educational content, tools, and self-study courses on stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, stock appreciation rights, and employee stock purchase plans. myStockOptions.com is written and managed by leading experts in equity compensation, and is produced by a company with a long history of successful publications explaining complex legal and financial subjects in plain English.

The influential consumer magazine PC World ranks myStockOptions.com among “the most useful sites ever” that “deliver top-notch information, support, and services.” The accounting journal CPA Wealth Provider selected myStockOptions.com among companies “that have taken the lead through innovation, efficiency, initiative, or growth in the financial-planning area.” The Specialized Information Publishers’ Foundation honored MSO Pro with one of its Editorial Excellence Awards in the category of Best Interactive Content among niche publishers. The innovative Comparison Modeling Tool on myStockOptions.com is now patented.

myStockOptions.com has also received extensive favorable coverage in major publications, including BusinessWeek, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, and The Boston Globe, and on CNN, National Public Radio, PBS, Money.com, and MarketWatch.com.

myStockPlan.com, the publisher of myStockOptions.com, has also launched a new website: myNQDC.com, the only online educational resource devoted exclusively to nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC). With clear writing and independent, unbiased expertise, myNQDC provides education about the financial planning, taxation, risk, and legal issues surrounding nonqualified deferred compensation and encourages participants to fully understand these topics and maximize the value of their plans. With tax rates likely to rise in the future, the tax-deferral advantages of NQDC will make these plans increasingly popular.

For more information, please contact Bruce Brumberg and Matt Simon at 617-734-1979.

http://www.mystockoptions.com

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

2011 Tax Code Changes from the Accounting Aisle

2011 Tax Code Changes

Denver, CO (PRWEB) January 13, 2011

The Accounting Aisle says that tax filers need to be aware of significant changes to the 2011 tax code. The changes effect filers in all tax brackets. “It’s nearly impossible for an average person to keep up with all the changes in the tax code,” says Steve Hastert, president of the Accounting Aisle, an online service which matches tax payers with local accountants and CPAs. “The code becomes more complex every year and the changes are accelerating”

Using an accountant to file personal taxes is more important than ever this year. “With budget shortfalls, state and federal governments are watching returns closer than ever. It’s best to get the return right the first time,” says Hastert. A reliable tax accountant will make sure you adhere to the rules and help you take advantage of tax exemptions.

The Accounting Aisle has some notable changes in the 2010 tax code:

3 Extra Days – Due to the observation of Emancipation Day by the District of Columbia on April 15 th , the deadline to file 2010 federal taxes is April 18 th . The IRS was unable to make all the changes that were passed in late December and said they wouldn’t be able to process all returns until late January of February.

Reporting Changes – Rental property owners must begin filing a 1099-MISC for any service provider who does $ 600 or more of work. Examples would be plumbers, electricians, or painters who did work on the rental property. While the forms don’t need to be filed until January 2012, owners need to begin keeping accurate records of all payments to providers. To get ready give a W-9 to every provider.

Social Security Rate Changes – The payroll deduction for Social Security has dropped 2%; from 6.2% to 4.2% for wages up to $ 106,800. The rate for the employer match remains at 6.2%. There is a corresponding 2% drop in the self employment tax rate from 15.3% to 13.3%.

No Rate Changes – 2011 federal IRS tax rates remain the same as 2011 levels. The brackets are a bit higher for the annual inflation adjustments. Rates for capital gains and dividends also remained the same.

Tax credits Reduced – Several tax credits are reduced including the child tax credit, hope education credit and earned income tax credit. The making work pay tax credit expires in 2011.

Tax Credits Extended – The energy tax credit for homeowners, the American Opportunity Tax Credit, and the teacher classroom expense deduction were all extended for 2011.

Estate Tax Returns – The estate tax is returning, but will offer a generous exemption. It excludes the first $ 5 million for single individuals and $ 10 million married couples. These exemptions mean that most Americans won’t owe any estate tax upon their deaths. Those with estates larger than $ 5 million ($ 10 million for married couples) would be taxed at a rate of 35% on the amount in excess.

New Standard Deduction – 2011 standard deductions for married couples filing a joint return is up $ 200 to $ 11,600. Singles and married individuals filing separately is up $ 100 to $ 5,800.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) – You may no longer pay for over-the-counter medication using pre-tax FSAs. Drugs with a prescription or other medical items including crutches can still be paid for with pre-tax dollars.

Roth IRA Conversion – There is no longer an income limit when converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.

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©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

The New Year is here and yes it is time to look at your assets and see what you can do to exploit the favourable taxation of capital assets. There is little time to plan and to execute tax planning strategies before the 5th April so review your assets and act now.

 

Planning:

I always advocate planning; do not cheat! You will never be able to wipe out entire tax liabilities but with careful planning you should be able to save several small to medium amounts thus justifying the overall plan.

 

Is it a capital gain?

Obvious but some people jump in and do not realize that what they are planning does not give rise to a Capital Gain. Ensure that when you consider the taxation of the sale of an asset the correct charge is to Capital Gains Tax rather than Income Tax.

 

In your planning also consider Inheritance Tax.

 

I find that when taxpayers sell assets they are drawn immediately to considering capital gains tax.  The first option to tax is as trading profits rather than capital gains. The deciding factor is whether or not the intention at the time of purchase is to make a profit from the resale, with or without improving the asset, within a short time scale.

 

As the sale of land and property are the sale of capital assets, a high percentage of taxpayers are drawn to capital gains to tax the profit. HMR&C does not. They fully review the transaction to see if it is a transaction in the nature of trade.

 

If this fails, the next attempt is to tax it under a little known provision where land, or any property deriving its value from land, is acquired with the sole or main objective of realizing a gain from the disposal of the land, or land is held as trading stock, or land is developed with the sole or main object of realising a gain from the land when developed. The section states that it is enacted to prevent the avoidance of tax by persons concerned with land or the development of land.

 

You can see that a transaction resulting in a profit of a capital nature could result in the profit being taxed as income. This legislation covers all individuals whether resident in the U.K. or not, so long as the land is situated in the U.K.

 

 

 

 

Tax free amount:

Every individual has £10,100 tax free each year. Although tax rates are lower for Capital Gains than they are for Income Tax it is still a worthwhile saving especially as you can take advantage on an annual basis.

 

The £10,100 not used by one person cannot be transferred to an other, married or not. If not used it is lost.

 

The strategy is to annually review your assets and see what you can realize to make a gain of less than £10,100 rather than wait for the natural disposal. The result is that the tax free amount can be compounded in value by reinvesting in a profitable investment.

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Bed & breakfast to spouse & ISA:

A married couple can transfer assets between them without attracting liability, the asset passing to the other at a value that gives rise to neither gain nor loss. By spreading the ownership you immediately have a further tax free amount of £10,100.

 

You may want to bed and breakfast your investments at the end of the year in order to wipe out some of the accrued gain.

 

There is legislation that prevents this but there is nothing that stops you bed and breakfasting with your spouse/civil partner.

 

You sell and your spouse/civil partner buys thus keeping the holding in the family but having removed part of the taxable gain.

 

It appears from a guidance note issued by HMR&C that they find the sale of an asset standing at a loss and with the other spouse/civil partner repurchasing it to be unacceptable so take care and seek professional advice.

 

An alterative strategy is to sell the shares and buy them back through an ISA.

 

You can then have them in a tax-free vehicle for the rest of your ownership.

 

An ISA is in effect a tax haven. You can sell assets into the ISA and capital gains up

to £10,100 are tax-free.

 

Joint Tenants v Tenants in Common:

Usually spouses/civil partners hold property as joint tenants.  This means on death the property passes automatically to the surviving spouse/civil partner.

 

If the property is transferred to ownership as tenants in common, you are free to dispose of your share as you please either during your lifetime or by your