Long term capital gains are taxed at half the rate of income. So yes, share based compensation is a way to reduce taxes. There is also a line of thinking that having the leadership’s compensation tied to the stock’s performance helps align the interests of shareholders and management.
It’s taxed as income when you receive it. If you hold onto it for over a year then sell it you pay capital gains (which are lower) on the difference between the grant price and current price (if it went up).
Long term capital gains are taxed at half the rate of income. So yes, share based compensation is a way to reduce taxes. There is also a line of thinking that having the leadership’s compensation tied to the stock’s performance helps align the interests of shareholders and management.
It’s taxed as income when you receive it. If you hold onto it for over a year then sell it you pay capital gains (which are lower) on the difference between the grant price and current price (if it went up).