4/14    When must I use form 6251 AMT tax form?
        \_ The only way to know for sure is to calculate it and see.  If you
           exercised stock, took a large number of exemptions and a long list
           of other things GOOGLE can easily point you to, then maybe.
        \_ When the IRS instructions, TurboTax or your CPA tell you to.
           If you exercised stock options, the odds are high you need it.
           Don't bet your financial future on motd advice.
        \_ If you're already paying close to 35%-40% taxes, don't expect to
           need to pay AMT.  You've been screwed hard enough.  -screwed
                \_ Expect to pay AMT when you least expect it, it exists
                   solely to screw you harder than you've ever been screwed
                   before.
                \_ There was an article in SJ Mercury coupla days ago about
                   a Cisco guy owing millions on Cisco options he exercised.
                   As of the date of the article, he still needs to scrap up
                   $700k.
                    \_  owe 700K-1M in AMT on stock options that aren't worth
                        that much?  Just borrow the money from the your company
                        to pay (secure the loan with those soon to be worthless
                        options) and watch the company go out of business that
                        much faster!  That's what the exec's at my company did.
                        \_ Uhm, yeah.  Sure.  Reality check.  Thanks.
                    \_ Well, he had his chance to sell as soon as he exerciesd
                       at the price used as the AMT basis.  He wanted to get
                       more money in return so he had to assume the risk.
                       even more money in return so he had to assume the risk.
                       exercised his options.
                       Can't blame this on IRS.  AMT wasn't invented after he
                       exercised his options.  Plus he will eventually get his
                       AMT credit back in a later tax year when he sells his
                       stocks below the AMT basis price anyway, even if the
                       selling price is above the option price and he actually
                       makes a profit.
                      \_ Bzzt.  You don't get all of the credit back because
                         the deduction calculation is different.
                         \_ At least the whole downside was already there when
                            he made the decision not to sell his shares right
                            away.  It's not like something was added to it
                            afterwards.