Executive Compensation Law Blog

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As discussed in our December 16, 2010, blog article, the IRS issued final regulations in 2009 under Section 6039 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) that require employers to annually furnish each employee who exercised incentive stock options (“ISOs”) or sold or otherwise transferred shares acquired under an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) during a year with a detailed information statement by January 31 of the following year. In addition, employers must generally file an information return with the IRS by February 28 of the following year, or by March 31 for employers filing electronically. These due dates
Continue Reading Reminder to Perform Annual ISO/ESPP Reporting in January 2024

With the Labor Day holiday now in the rear view mirror, we wanted to remind companies whose shares are listed on the NYSE/Nasdaq stock exchanges that the deadline for implementing a so-called “Clawback Policy” is fast approaching. As we reported in our November 3, 2022 blog, “Another Seven Year Wait is Over! SEC Finalizes Regulations on Clawback of Incentive Compensation for Restated Financial Statements”), the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) published final regulations (Release No. 34-96159) (the “Final Rules”) requiring specified publicly-held companies to adopt, disclose and maintain a policy to recover incentive compensation which was
Continue Reading Stock Exchange Deadline Approaches for Adopting SEC Compliant Clawback Policy

As discussed in our December 16, 2010 blog article, the IRS issued final regulations in 2009 under Section 6039 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) that require employers to annually furnish each employee who exercised incentive stock options (“ISOs”) or sold or otherwise transferred shares acquired under an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) during a year with a detailed information statement by January 31 of the following year. In addition, employers must generally file an information return with the IRS by February 28 of the following year, or by March 31 for employers filing electronically. These due dates are delayed
Continue Reading Reminder to Perform Annual ISO/ESPP Reporting in January 2023

With the holidays in full swing and less than one week remaining in 2022, we wanted to pass along a few compensation income tax related stocking stuffer reminders in connection with the year-end for which companies and/or individuals may want to consult about with their advisors (and in particular to see if they should take any actions before 2023). For simplicity, this blog assumes that the calendar year is the income tax year for both service providers and service recipients.
Continue Reading 2022 Year-End – A Few Executive Compensation Income Tax Reminders

As we recently noted (see our Corporate & Securities Law blog from October 26, 2022, “SEC Adopts New Executive Compensation Clawback and Disclosure Rule”), in accordance with Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Reform Act”), the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) issued a press release and published final regulations (Release No. 34-96159) (the “Final Rules”) regarding so-called “Clawback Policies”.
Continue Reading Another Seven Year Wait is Over! SEC Finalizes Regulations on Clawback of Incentive Compensation for Restated Financial Statements

As we previously commented more than seven years ago (see our blog from May 4, 2015, “Finally! SEC Proposes New Pay for Performance Disclosure Regulations”), on April 29, 2015, in accordance with Section 953(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Reform Act”), the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) issued a press release and published proposed regulations (Release No. 34-74835) (the “Proposed Rules”) to require specified publicly-held companies to disclose the relationship between their financial performance and the compensation that is actually paid to their named executive officers (”NEOs”).
Continue Reading The Seven Year Wait is Over! SEC Finalizes New Pay Versus Performance Disclosure Regulations

As discussed in our December 16, 2010 blog article, the IRS issued final regulations in 2009 under Section 6039 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) that require employers to annually furnish each employee who exercised incentive stock options (“ISOs”) or sold or otherwise transferred shares acquired under an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) during a year with a detailed information statement by January 31 of the following year.  In addition, employers must generally file an information return with the IRS by February 28 of the following year, or by March 31 for employers filing electronically.  These due dates
Continue Reading Reminder to Perform Annual ISO/ESPP Reporting in January 2022

As discussed in our December 16, 2010 blog article, the IRS issued final regulations in 2009 under Section 6039 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) that require employers to annually furnish each employee who exercised incentive stock options (“ISOs”) or sold or otherwise transferred shares acquired under an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) during a year with a detailed information statement by January 31 of the following year.  In addition, employers must generally file an information return with the IRS by February 28 of the following year, or by March 31 for employers filing electronically.  These due dates
Continue Reading Reminder to Perform Annual ISO/ESPP Reporting in January 2021

On November 3, 2020, California voters decided a number of state and local tax-related ballot measures.[1]  The most significant tax increase, the property tax “split roll” initiative, and some other local tax increases were defeated.  However, overall voters were willing to approve a number of meaningful tax increases—especially San Francisco voters.  Following is an overview of statewide and notable local tax measures and referrals decided by the voters.
Continue Reading The Results Are In – California State and Local Tax Ballot Measures

As discussed in our December 16, 2010 blog article, the IRS issued final regulations in 2009 under Section 6039 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) that require employers to annually furnish each employee who exercised incentive stock options (“ISOs”) or sold or otherwise transferred shares acquired under an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) during a year with a detailed information statement by January 31 of the following year. In addition, employers must generally file an information return with the IRS by February 28 of the following year, or by March 31 for employers filing electronically.
Continue Reading Reminder to Perform Annual ISO/ESPP Reporting in January 2020

As discussed in our December 16, 2010 blog article, the IRS issued final regulations in 2009 under Section 6039 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) that require employers to annually furnish each employee who exercised incentive stock options (“ISOs”) or sold or otherwise transferred shares acquired under an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) during a year with a detailed information statement by January 31 of the following year. In addition, employers must generally file an information return with the IRS by February 28 of the following year, or by March 31 for employers filing electronically.
Continue Reading Reminder to Perform Annual ISO/ESPP Reporting in January 2019

Last month, Energy XXI, Ltd. (“EXXI”), a publicly-traded oil and gas exploration company, saw its former Chief Executive Officer charged with various securities law violations by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The SEC seeks to have the CEO pay civil money penalties and be barred from any officer or director role with any issuer of registered securities.
Continue Reading “Airing Out the Denny Crane Room”: Recent SEC Action Emphasizes Need for Effective Disclosure Controls and Procedures for Executive Perquisites

As discussed in our December 16, 2010 blog article, the IRS issued final regulations in 2009 under Section 6039 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) that require Employers to annually furnish each employee who exercised incentive stock options (“ISOs”) or sold or otherwise transferred shares acquired under an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) during a year with a detailed information statement by January 31 of the following year. In addition, Employers must generally file an information return with the IRS by February 28 of the following year, or by March 31 for Employers filing electronically.
Continue Reading Reminder to Perform Annual ISO/ESPP Reporting in January 2018

In In re Investors Bancorp, Inc. Stockholder Litigation, No. 169, 2017, 2017 WL 6374741 (Del. Dec. 13, 2017), the Delaware Supreme Court limited the ability of directors to assert the stockholder ratification defense when facing a challenge to their implementation of equity incentive plans (“EIP”). When properly invoked, the stockholder ratification defense entitles directors to have a court review their conduct under the more deferential business judgment rule standard, rather than the more stringent “entire fairness” standard. The Delaware Supreme Court held that where stockholders approve an EIP containing general parameters that afford directors discretion to determine specific awards,
Continue Reading Delaware Supreme Court Imposes New Limits on Stockholder Ratification Defense In Connection With Equity Incentive Plans

On Friday, December 15, 2017, Congress put forth a final version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which would signify the largest piece of tax legislation in over thirty years if signed into law. Early in the morning on December 20, the Senate voted to pass the bill, and the House later approved it on the same day. The bill is on its way to President Trump’s desk, and most expect the bill to be signed into law when he receives the package just in time for Christmas. So what does this mean from an executive compensation standpoint?
Continue Reading The President Receives an Early Christmas Present: Congress Approves Landmark Tax Bill – What Will this Mean for Executive Compensation?

As an update to our previous blog post entitled, Senate Stays Up Late to Approve Tax Bill, dated December 5, 2017, the Senate and the House appear to have come to an agreement on the final version of the tax bill that will be voted on by Congress. While nothing official has been stated or released regarding the final bill, word from the latest news outlets revolves mostly around changes to corporate and individual tax rates. One interesting thing to note is that the current agreement would allegedly repeal the corporate alternative minimum tax, which was reflected in the Senate’s
Continue Reading Congressional Republicans Reach a Deal on Tax Bill