9/9     I am curious to hear people's experiences with having landed
        lots  of stock options.  Any good advice in terms of how to make
        sure Uncle Sam gets as little of it as possible when you start vesting?
        \_ Don't exercise them.
        \_ buy-and-hold.
        \_ More specifically, you need to hold it long enough to not be counted
           as a short term gain.  Of course if it drops like a rock during that
           period of time, you'll get zero profit anyway....
        \_ A year before you want to exercise, don't do anything to incur
           capital gains during Q1.  The year you exercise, do it in Q1
           (January, February, March).  Exercise and hold.  At this point
           you owe AMT on what you just made on paper, and are supposed to
           make an estimated quarterly tax payment, but the estimate is
           based on your previous year's tax activity (this is why you don't
           want to have any capital gains in Q1 the year before), so you owe
           nothing on the quarter (though you will have to pay it on April
           15th of the following year, just like always).  By the time April
           15th rolls around, you've held those shares for 12 months, and if
           you sell them it's taxed as long term capital gains at 20% instead
           of short term at your normal tax rate.  You can then safely sell
           what you need to pay your AMT.  Any further sales are just taxed
           as long term capital gains at 20%, so no further gimmicks are
           needed.
        \_ visit an accountant, it can be worse than this depending on your
           withholding vs how much you owe, and plenty other things -oj
        \_ carmel valley. less traffic, less crowds, just as good wine.
              \_ yes there is. read today's Chronicle. BAAS (Bay Area
           \_ money grubbing?  how about the idea that they have earned half
              since they supported you and your career while letting their own
              career idle away?  a selfish little prick like you deserves to
              lose more than half; unfortunately, the law doesn't punish people
              for stupidity and selfishness.  with a fucked up attitude like
              that its no wonder you divorced or will be.  -your mom
              that its no wonder you're divorced or will be.  -your mom
                 Adult Sites) is an organization to help local porn pushers.
        \_ And, of course, there's things you may want to do to keep  a
           money-grubbing (ex-)spouse from going after them too.  HALF!!!!
              \_ Supported??!  The @#%$# freeloading bitch just stays home
                 all day and watches Jerry and Oprah all day, interspersed
                    \_ I agree with you. Sitting at home all day and watching
                       soaps and occasionally cooking and cleaning does not
                       count as earning half my options.
                        \_ Really?  Do your own cooking, cleaning, and cock
                           sucking.  What would it cost to pay someone else
                           to do it for you?
                           \_ a lot less than to have bitches like you at
                              home sucking up the money.
                              You choose to not work, you choose to
                              not have money of your own when we're through.
                 with occasional trysts with the pool cleaner and the gardener.
                 She didn't do anything for my options and certainly wasn't
                 around before most of them vested anyway.  -- spiteful ex
        \_ carmel valley. less traffic, less crowds, just as good wine.
                \- go to AAA and get their wine maps. those have hours and
                and whether tastings are free. if you are not a snob,go
                to VI Sattui ... you can taste like 6 or 7 wines with a
                lot of sugar for free. --psb
                 \_ I think I'll leave my high-tech job with its troublesome
                    options for an exciting career in pool cleaning or garden
                    maintenance!
        \_ I also suggest Sonoma.  To get there from Berk, go to the
        Richmond Bridge.  Take 101 North, exit Hwy 37 from the freeway, take a
        left at the second traffic light to 121 and then take Hwy 12. This leads
        you directly to the Plaza.  The Visitor's Bureau is right on the square
        and they have winery info.  Try Sebastiani - free tour and tasting on
        the half hour, but everything closes by 5.