What is the difference between stock awards and stock options?

What is the difference between stock awards and stock options?

With a stock award, you receive the company’s stocks as compensation. Depending on the type of stock, you may have to wait for a certain period before you can fully own it. A stock option, on the other hand, only gives you the right to buy the company’s stocks in the future at a certain price.

How are restricted stock awards taxed?

If you’re granted a restricted stock award, you have two choices: you can pay ordinary income tax on the award when it’s granted and pay long-term capital gains taxes on the gain when you sell, or you can pay ordinary income tax on the whole amount when it vests. At that time, the stock is worth $20 per share.

Is it better to take stock options or RSU?

Stock options are only valuable if the market value of the stock is higher than the grant price at some point in the vesting period. Otherwise, you’re paying more for the shares than you could in theory sell them for. RSUs, meanwhile, are pure gain, as you don’t have to pay for them.

Do restricted stock awards have a strike price?

Unlike regular stock options , RSUs do not have a strike price but vest upon meeting specific performance criteria ‘Performance Stock Units’ or completing a pre-specified tenure ‘Restricted Stock Units’.

How do restricted stock awards work?

A Restricted Stock Award is a grant of company stock in which the recipient’s rights in the stock are restricted until the shares vest (or lapse in restrictions). If the recipient does not meet the conditions the company set forth prior to the end of the vesting period, the shares are typically forfeited.

Should you sell RSUs right away?

Usually, it is recommended to sell the RSU immediately after the vesting period is complete to avoid any additional taxes. Insiders and employees that hold the RSU, need a RSU selling strategy. But for investors with a different and more diverse portfolio, holding on to the RSU is the choice to make.

How long after Grant does restricted stock awards usually expire?

RSUs are converted to shares once they are vested, and therefore do not expire. Options have a stated expiration date (often, but not always, 10 years from the date they are granted.) RSUs are taxed as ordinary income at the time they become vested and liquid.

Should I cash out RSU?

You can think of RSUs as a cash bonus, with similar tax implications. So, when is the best time to sell your RSUs? If your company is public, the best thing to do is to cash them out as soon as they vest. The reason is that RSUs essentially function like a cash bonus, being taxed at the time they vest.

What are stock awards and stock options?

A common requirement of stock awards and stock options is for you to work for the company for a minimum number of years. After this vesting period, you can then claim the monetary value of the stock awards and stock options. This encourages employees to stay with the company.

What does award of stock options mean?

Companies award stock options to recruit and retain key employees, executives and directors. These options give holders the right to buy the underlying shares at predetermined prices, known as strike prices, before specified expiration dates.

What are restricted stock awards?

A Restricted Stock Award is a grant of company stock in which the recipient’s rights in the stock are restricted until the shares vest (or lapse in restrictions). The restricted period is called a vesting period.

What does restricted stock mean?

What is ‘Restricted Stock’. Restricted stock refers to unregistered shares of ownership in a corporation that are issued to corporate affiliates, such as executives and directors. Restricted stock is nontransferable and must be traded in compliance with special Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations.