myStockOptions.com Offers Year-End Planning Resources for Equity Compensation

Year-end is a key time for financial and tax planning for millions of employees in the United States who have stock compensation (such as stock options and restricted stock units [RSUs]), participate in an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) and/or have holdings of company shares, says Bruce Brumberg, the editor-in-chief of myStockOptions.com. This year, year-end financial and tax planning might be especially tricky because of the uncertain potential for tax-law changes in 2022 or beyond.

To help, myStockOptions.com has updated its education and guidance on the major issues, decisions and financial-planning strategies for the end of 2021 and the start of 2022. This content is available on the website’s Financial Planning: Year-End section.

For example, website visitors will find articles such as “Top Ideas For 2021 Year-End Tax Planning With Stock Compensation” and a frequently asked questions (FAQ) section titled “What are some key planning strategies at year-end 2021 for restricted stock, RSUs, and stock options?” The content is continually updated.

Brumberg says multiyear planning is especially valuable with stock compensation at year-end. “You can control the timing of stock sales and option exercises, and you know when restricted stock/RSUs will vest,” he notes.

Timely year-end guidance is particularly crucial for people who are considering option exercises or stock sales at the end of the year, Brumberg adds.

“Employees with equity grants and company shares should be aware of the 2021 and 2022 thresholds for higher tax rates on compensation income and capital gains, the phaseouts for various tax credits, and the Medicare surtax on investment income,” he says. “They may want to consider keeping their income below those known thresholds, if possible. If you are convinced that your tax rates will be higher in 2022 and beyond, you may want to defer deductions into the future and accelerate income into 2021.”

myStockOptions.com is also holding a special webinar December 2 on year-end financial and tax planning. The webinar offers continuing education (CE) credits and costs $169 to attend. More information is available here.