Section 421(a) shall apply with respect to the transfer of a share of stock to an individual pursuant to his exercise of an incentive stock option if-
For purposes of this part, the term "incentive stock option" means an option granted to an individual for any reason connected with his employment by a corporation, if granted by the employer corporation or its parent or subsidiary corporation, to purchase stock of any of such corporations, but only if-
Such term shall not include any option if (as of the time the option is granted) the terms of such option provide that it will not be treated as an incentive stock option. Such term shall not include any option if an election is made under section 83(i) with respect to the stock received in connection with the exercise of such option.
If a share of stock is transferred pursuant to the exercise by an individual of an option which would fail to qualify as an incentive stock option under subsection (b) because there was a failure in an attempt, made in good faith, to meet the requirement of subsection (b)(4), the requirement of subsection (b)(4) shall be considered to have been met. To the extent provided in regulations by the Secretary, a similar rule shall apply for purposes of subsection (d).
If-
then the amount which is includible in the gross income of such individual, and the amount which is deductible from the income of his employer corporation, as compensation attributable to the exercise of such option shall not exceed the excess (if any) of the amount realized on such sale or exchange over the adjusted basis of such share.
If an insolvent individual holds a share of stock acquired pursuant to his exercise of an incentive stock option, and if such share is transferred to a trustee, receiver, or other similar fiduciary in any proceeding under title 11 or any other similar insolvency proceeding, neither such transfer, nor any other transfer of such share for the benefit of his creditors in such proceeding, shall constitute a disposition of such share for purposes of subsection (a)(1).
An option which meets the requirements of subsection (b) shall be treated as an incentive stock option even if-
Subparagraph (B) shall apply to a transfer of property (other than cash) only if section 83 applies to the property so transferred.
Subsection (b)(6) shall not apply if at the time such option is granted the option price is at least 110 percent of the fair market value of the stock subject to the option and such option by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of 5 years from the date such option is granted.
For purposes of subsection (a)(2), in the case of an employee who is disabled (within the meaning of section 22(e)(3)), the 3-month period of subsection (a)(2) shall be 1 year.
For purposes of this section, the fair market value of stock shall be determined without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which, by its terms, will never lapse.
To the extent that the aggregate fair market value of stock with respect to which incentive stock options (determined without regard to this subsection) are exercisable for the 1st time by any individual during any calendar year (under all plans of the individual's employer corporation and its parent and subsidiary corporations) exceeds $100,000, such options shall be treated as options which are not incentive stock options.
Paragraph (1) shall be applied by taking options into account in the order in which they were granted.
For purposes of paragraph (1), the fair market value of any stock shall be determined as of the time the option with respect to such stock is granted.
26 U.S.C. § 422
EDITORIAL NOTES
PRIOR PROVISIONSA prior section 422, added Pub. L. 88-272, title II, §221(a), Feb. 26, 1964, 78 Stat. 64; amended Pub. L. 94-455, title VI, §603(a), (b), title XIX, §1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1574, 1834; Pub. L. 96-589, §6(i)(3), Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3410, related to qualified stock options, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 101-508, §11801(a) (20), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388-521. For savings provision, see section 11821(b) of Pub. L. 101-508, set out as a note under section 45K of this title.
AMENDMENTS2017-Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115-97 inserted at end of concluding provisions "Such term shall not include any option if an election is made under section 83(i) with respect to the stock received in connection with the exercise of such option."1990- Pub. L. 101-508, §11801(c)(9)(A)(i), renumbered section 422A of this title as this section.Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 101-508, §11801(c)(9)(C)(i), substituted "424(a)" for "425(a)". Subsec. (c)(5) to (8). Pub. L. 101-508, §11801(c)(9)(C) (ii), redesignated pars. (6) to (8) as (5) to (7), respectively, and struck out former par. (5) "Coordination with sections 422 and 424" which read as follows: "Sections 422 and 424 shall not apply to an incentive stock option." 1988-Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100-647, §1003(d)(1)(A), inserted at end "Such term shall not include any option if (as of the time the option is granted) the terms of such option provide that it will not be treated as an incentive stock option."Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 100-647, §1003(d)(2)(B), struck out par. (7) which read as follows: "under the terms of the plan, the aggregate fair market value (determined at the time the option is granted) of the stock with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable for the 1st time by such individual during any calendar year (under all such plans of the individual's employer corporation and its parent and subsidiary corporations) shall not exceed $100,000." Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 100-647, §1003(d)(2)(C), substituted "subsection (d)" for "paragraph (7) of subsection (b)". Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100-647, §1003(d)(2)(A), added subsec. (d).1986-Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 99-514, §321(a), added par. (7) and struck out former par. (7) which read as follows: "such option by its terms is not exercisable while there is outstanding (within the meaning of subsection (c)(7)) any incentive stock option which was granted, before the granting of such option, to such individual to purchase stock in his employer corporation or in a corporation which (at the time of the granting of such option) is a parent or subsidiary corporation of the employer corporation, or in a predecessor corporation of any of such corporations; and".Subsec. (b)(8). Pub. L. 99-514, §321(a), struck out par. (8) which read as follows: "in the case of an option granted after December 31, 1980, under the terms of the plan the aggregate fair market value (determined as of the time the option is granted) of the stock for which any employee may be granted incentive stock options in any calendar year (under all such plans of his employer corporation and its parent and subsidiary corporation) shall not exceed $100,000 plus any unused limit carryover to such year."Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 99-514, §321(b)(2), substituted "paragraph (7) of subsection (b)" for "paragraph (8) of subsection (b) and paragraph (4) of this subsection".Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 99-514, §321(b)(1), redesignated par. (5) as (4) and struck out former par. (4) relating to carryover of unused limit.Subsec. (c)(5), (6). Pub. L. 99-514, §321(b)(1)(B), redesignated pars. (6) and (8) as (5) and (6), respectively. Former par. (5) redesignated (4).Subsec. (c)(7). Pub. L. 99-514, §321(b)(1), redesignated par. (9) as (7) and struck out former par. (7) which provided that for purposes of subsec. (b)(7) any incentive stock option be treated as outstanding until such option was exercised in full or expired by reason of lapse of time. Subsec. (c)(8). Pub. L. 99-514, §321(b)(1)(B), redesignated par. (10) as (8). Former par. (8) redesignated (6).Subsec. (c)(9). Pub. L. 99-514, §321(b)(1)(B), redesignated par. (9) as (7).Pub. L. 99-514, §1847(b)(5), substituted "section 22(e)(3)" for "section 37(e)(3)".Subsec. (c)(10). Pub. L. 99-514, §321(b)(1)(B), redesignated par. (10) as (8). 1984-Subsec. (c)(9). Pub. L. 98-369, §2662(f)(1), substituted "section 37(e)(3)" for "section 105(d)(4)". Subsec. (c)(10). Pub. L. 98-369, §555(a)(1), added par. (10).1983-Subsec. (b)(8). Pub. L. 97-448, §102(j)(1), substituted "granted incentive stock options" for "granted options".Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 97-448, §102(j)(2), substituted "Good faith efforts to value stock" for "Exercise of option when price is less than value of stock" as par. (1) heading and inserted sentence providing that, to the extent provided in regulations by the Secretary, a rule similar to that already enunciated in the paragraph applies for purposes of par. (8) of subsec. (b) and par. (4) of subsec. (c).Subsec. (c)(2)(A). Pub. L. 97-448, §102(j)(3), substituted "either of the periods" for "the 2-year period".Subsec. (c)(4)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 97-448, §102(j)(4), substituted "granted incentive stock options" for "granted options".
STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2017 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 115-97 applicable to stock attributable to options exercised, or restricted stock units settled, after Dec. 31, 2017, see section 13603(f)(1) of Pub. L. 115-97, set out as a note under section 83 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 100-647 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99-514, to which such amendment relates, see section 1019(a) of Pub. L. 100-647, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1986 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 99-514, title III, §321(c), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2220, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to options granted after December 31, 1986." Amendment by section 1847(b)(5) of Pub. L. 99-514 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1984, Pub. L. 98-369, div. A, to which such amendment relates, see section 1881 of Pub. L. 99-514, set out as a note under section 48 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1984 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 98-369, div. A, title V, §555(c)(1), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 898, as amended by Pub. L. 99-514, title XVIII, §1855(a)(1), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2882, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a)(1) [amending this section] shall apply to options granted after March 20, 1984, except that such subsection shall not apply to any incentive stock option granted before September 20, 1984, pursuant to a plan adopted or corporate action taken by the board of directors of the grantor corporation before May 15, 1984."Amendment by section 2662 of Pub. L. 98-369 effective as though included in the enactment of the Social Security Amendments of 1983, Pub. L. 98-21, see section 2664(a) of Pub. L. 98-369, set out as a note under section 401 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1983 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 97-448 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if it had been included in the provision of the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, Pub. L. 97-34, to which such amendment relates, see section 109 of Pub. L. 97-448, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATEPub. L. 97-34, title II, §251(c), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 259, as amended by Pub. L. 99-514, §2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that: "(1) OPTIONS TO WHICH SECTION APPLIES.-"(A) IN GENERAL.-Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the amendments made by this section [enacting this section and amending sections 421, 425 [now 424], and 6039 of this title] shall apply with respect to options granted on or after January 1, 1976, and exercised on or after January 1, 1981, or outstanding on such date."(B) ELECTION AND DESIGNATION OF OPTIONS.-In the case of an option granted before January 1, 1981, the amendments made by this section shall apply only if the corporation granting such option elects (in the manner and at the time prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate) to have the amendments made by this section apply to such option. The aggregate fair market value (determined at the time the option is granted) of the stock for which any employee was granted options (under all plans of his employer corporation and its parent and subsidiary corporations) to which the amendments made by this section apply by reason of this subparagraph shall not exceed $50,000 per calendar year ans shall not exceed $200,000 in the aggregate."(2) CHANGES IN TERMS OF OPTIONS.-In the case of an option granted on or after January 1, 1976, and outstanding on the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 13, 1981], paragraph (1) of section 425(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] shall not apply to any change in the terms of such option (or the terms of the plan under which granted, including shareholder approval) made within 1 year after such date of enactment to permit such option to qualify as a incentive stock option."
SAVINGS PROVISIONFor provisions that nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 101-508 be construed to affect treatment of certain transactions occurring, property acquired, or items of income, loss, deduction, or credit taken into account prior to Nov. 5, 1990, for purposes of determining liability for tax for periods ending after Nov. 5, 1990, see section 11821(b) of Pub. L. 101-508, set out as a note under section 45K of this title.
TREATMENT OF OPTIONS AS INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONSPub. L. 100-647, title I, §1003(d)(1)(B), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3384, provided that: "In the case of an option granted after December 31, 1986, and on or before the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 10, 1988], such option shall not be treated as an incentive stock option if the terms of such option are amended before the date 90 days after such date of enactment to provide that such option will not be treated as an incentive stock option."
PLAN AMENDMENTS NOT REQUIRED UNTIL JANUARY 1, 1989For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§1101-1147 and 1171-1177] or title XVIII [§§1800-1899A] of Pub. L. 99-514 require an amendment to any plan, such plan amendment shall not be required to be made before the first plan year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1989, see section 1140 of Pub. L. 99-514, as amended, set out as a note under section 401 of this title.
- Internal Revenue Code of 1986
- The term "Internal Revenue Code of 1986" means this title, and the term "Internal Revenue Code of 1939" means the Internal Revenue Code enacted February 10, 1939, as amended.
- Secretary of the Treasury
- The term "Secretary of the Treasury" means the Secretary of the Treasury, personally, and shall not include any delegate of his.
- Secretary
- The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate.
- corporation
- The term "corporation" includes associations, joint-stock companies, and insurance companies.
- fiduciary
- The term "fiduciary" means a guardian, trustee, executor, administrator, receiver, conservator, or any person acting in any fiduciary capacity for any person.
- shareholder
- The term "shareholder" includes a member in an association, joint-stock company, or insurance company.
- stock
- The term "stock" includes shares in an association, joint-stock company, or insurance company.
- transaction
- The term "transaction" includes a series of transactions.