26 USC 422 - Incentive stock options

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 06, 2026

§ 422.

Incentive stock options

(a)

In general

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—

(1)

no disposition of such share is made by him within 2 years from the date of the granting of the option nor within 1 year after the transfer of such share to him, and

(2)

at all times during the period beginning on the date of the granting of the option and ending on the day 3 months before the date of such exercise, such individual was an employee of either the corporation granting such option, a parent or subsidiary corporation of such corporation, or a corporation or a parent or subsidiary corporation of such corporation issuing or assuming a stock option in a transaction to which section 424(a) applies.

(b)

Incentive stock option

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—

(1)

the option is granted pursuant to a plan which includes the aggregate number of shares which may be issued under options and the employees (or class of employees) eligible to receive options, and which is approved by the stockholders of the granting corporation within 12 months before or after the date such plan is adopted;

(2)

such option is granted within 10 years from the date such plan is adopted, or the date such plan is approved by the stockholders, whichever is earlier;

(3)

such option by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the date such option is granted;

(4)

the option price is not less than the fair market value of the stock at the time such option is granted;

(5)

such option by its terms is not transferable by such individual otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable, during his lifetime, only by him; and

(6)

such individual, at the time the option is granted, does not own stock possessing more than 10 percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the employer corporation or of its parent or subsidiary corporation.

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.

(c)

Special rules

(1)

Good faith efforts to value stock

(2)

If—

(A)

an individual who has acquired a share of stock by the exercise of an incentive stock option makes a disposition of such share within either of the periods described in subsection (a)(1), and

(B)

such disposition is a sale or exchange with respect to which a loss (if sustained) would be recognized to such individual,

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.

(3)

Certain transfers by insolvent individuals

(4)

Permissible provisions

An option which meets the requirements of subsection (b) shall be treated as an incentive stock option even if—

(A)

the employee may pay for the stock with stock of the corporation granting the option,

(B)

the employee has a right to receive property at the time of exercise of the option, or

(C)

the option is subject to any condition not inconsistent with the provisions of subsection (b).

Subparagraph (B) shall apply to a transfer of property (other than cash) only if section 83 applies to the property so transferred.

(5)

10-percent shareholder rule

(6)

Special rule when disabled

(7)

Fair market value

(d)

$100,000 per year limitation

(1)

In general

(2)

Ordering rule

(3)

Determination of fair market value

(Added Pub. L. 97–34, title II, § 251(a), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 256, § 422A; amended Pub. L. 97–448, title I, § 102(j)(1)–(4), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2373; Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title V, § 555(a)(1), div. B, title VI, § 2662(f)(1), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 897, 1159; Pub. L. 99–514, title III, § 321(a), (b), title XVIII, § 1847(b)(5), Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2220, 2856; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1003(d)(1)(A), (2), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3384; renumbered § 422 and amended Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11801(c)(9)(A)(i), (C), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–524, 1388–525; Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 13603(c)(1)(A), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2163.)

cite as: 26 USC 422