Differences Between Incentive Stock Options and Nonqualified Stock Options
One of the questions executives of emerging companies face when issuing stock options is what type of option to issue. There are two types of stock options: incentive stock options (also known as statutory stock options) (ISOs) and non-qualified stock options (also called non-statutory stock options) (NSOs).
Both ISOs and NSOs give the option holder a right to purchase shares of stock at the stated exercise price that is of value only if the shares of underlying stock subject to the option increase in value, and it is common for a stock option plan to permit both types of grants — but there are important differences. As such, it is vital for companies and service providers to understand the differences between ISOs and NSOs.
As you will see below, there are some significant potential tax benefits that ISOs have over NSOs, but qualifying for those benefits can be a challenge, and many recipients of ISOs never see those benefits.
Primary Differences Between ISOs and NSOs
| ISO | NSO | |
| Limits on eligible recipients? | Only common-law employees, and the recipient must be a person. ISOs can't be issued to entities |
Both employees and independent contractors (including non-employee directors) are eligible |
| Are the options taxable to the option recipient when granted? |
No – if the exercise (strike) price is at least equal to the fair market value (FMV)* as of grant date *110% of FMV as of grant date for an ISO granted to a greater-than 10% shareholder |
No – if the exercise price is at least FMV as of grant date |
| Are the options taxable upon vesting? |
No – if exercise price is at least FMV as of grant date |
No – if exercise price is at least FMV as of grant date |
| Are the options taxable upon exercise for income tax, employment tax, or alternative minimum tax (AMT) purposes? |
Taxable for AMT, but not income or employment tax purposes
|
Taxable for income and employment tax purposes, but not AMT purposes
|
| Are there limits on post-employment exercise period? |
Yes – ISOs must be exercised within 3 months after termination of employment although periods can be extended for death or disability |
No – the option may be exercised at any time prior to the option expiration date |
| What is the maximum permitted term of an option? |
The maximum term is 10 years from grant date for standard issuances, but 5 years for ISOs granted to greater-than 10% shareholders |
None, although they are commonly set at 10 years from the grant date |
| Is there an annual limitation? |
Yes – there is a maximum of $100,000 of stock underlying ISOs that becomes exercisable in any calendar year |
No |
| Are there special rules for greater-than 10% shareholders? |
Yes –
|
No |
| What is the character of income on sale of stock? |
|
Either short term or long term capital gain depending on whether the stock is held for at least one year |
| Is the spread on the exercise deductible by the company as compensation expense? |
No | Yes |
Tax rules also impose the following requirements on ISOs, but not NSOs:
- ISOs must be issued pursuant to a written plan that specifies the maximum aggregate number of shares that may be issued under the plan through ISOs;
- The option plan must be adopted by the company's shareholders within 12 months before or after the plan is adopted by the board of directors; and
- Any amendment that increases the number of shares that may be subject to ISO grants must be approved by the shareholders.
Although ISOs can provide a favorable tax result—no ordinary income or employment taxes at ISO exercise if the holding periods are met—the company and the employee must be prepared to comply with more burdensome restrictions in order to achieve this result. In addition, the full tax benefits of ISOs are only realized if an employee exercises the ISO and holds the stock for more than a year prior to a company sale or other liquidity event.
In our experience, employees of privately held companies typically do not exercise their options prior to a sale of the company or other liquidity event, and so they do not receive the potential tax benefit from ISOs.