Exam 12: Compensation

One primary purpose of equity compensation is to motivate employees.

Maren received 10 NQOs (each option gives her the right to purchase 10 shares of stock for $8 per share) at the time she started working when the stock price was $6 per share. When the share price was $15 per share, she exercised all of her options. Eighteen months later she sold all of the shares for $20 per share. How much gain will Maren recognize on the sale and how much tax will she pay assuming her marginal tax rate is 35 percent?

Employees will always prefer to receive incentive stock options over nonqualified stock options.

Employers sometimes pay a gross-up to employees to cover taxes associated with taxable fringe benefits they provide.

Hotel employees can receive free nights lodging on a space available basis without incurring compensation.

Which of the following regarding the Form W-4 is incorrect?

Frederique works for a furniture retailer. The shop allows all employees to purchase 10 pieces of furniture per year at a discount. This year Frederique purchased eight pieces. She gave three pieces as a gift to her brother as a wedding present. Her employer's average gross profit percentage is 25 percent. Each piece was 20 percent off of normal retail prices and in all cases the employee price exceeded the employer's cost. What amount of the discount must be included in Frederique's income?

Which of the following is a fringe benefit that employers can discriminate among employees?

Kevin is the financial manager of Levingston BMW. The shop allows employees to purchase up to two vehicles at a discount. Levingston's average gross profit percentage is 15%. This year Kevin purchased a 530 model and a new M3. Model FMV Dealer cost Employee Price M3 \ 65,000 \ 60,000 What amount must Kevin include in income?

Which of the following is not a requirement of a "qualified employee discount"?

A section 83(b) election freezes the value of restricted stock for compensation purposes on the vesting date.

Rick recently received 500 shares of restricted stock from his employer, Crazy Corporation, when the share price was $5 per share. Rick's restricted shares vested three years later when the market price was $12. Rick held the shares for a little more than a year and sold them when the market price was $15. What is the amount of Rick's income on the sale of the stock? Assuming a marginal tax rate of 30 percent, what is Rick's tax on the sale of the stock?

Stevie recently received 1,000 shares of restricted stock from her employer, Nicks Corporation, when the share price was $8 per share. Stevie's restricted shares vested three years later when the market price was $11. Stevie held the shares for a little more than a year and sold them when the market price was $16. What is the amount of Stevie's ordinary income with respect to the restricted stock?

Which of the following items is not included on an employee's Form W-2?

Hazel received 20 NQOs (each option gives her the right to purchase 10 shares of stock for $7 per share) at the time she started working when the stock price was $14 per share. Now that the share price is $20 per share, she intends to exercise all of her options. How much cash will Hazel need on the exercise date?

Stevie recently received 1,000 shares of restricted stock from her employer, Nicks Corporation, when the share price was $8 per share. Stevie's restricted shares vested three years later when the market price was $11. Stevie held the shares for a little more than a year and sold them when the market price was $16. Assuming Stevie made a section 83(b) election, what is the amount of Stevie's ordinary income with respect to the restricted stock?

Tom recently received 2,000 shares of restricted stock from his employer, Independence Corporation, when the share price was $10 per share. Tom's restricted shares vested three years later when the market price was $14. Tom held the shares for a little more than a year and sold them when the market price was $12. What is the amount of Tom's income or loss on the sale?

Fringe benefits are generally a form of non-cash compensation.

Employers receive a deduction for compensation paid to and employment taxes paid on behalf of employees.

Kimberly's employer provides her with a personal travel allowance of $10,000 annually. Her marginal tax rate is 30 percent. Her employer has a marginal tax rate of 35 percent. What is Kimberly's after-tax benefit, ignoring payroll taxes?