Posted on December 16, 2009 by Joseph M. Wallin

What Is the Difference Between Warrants and Options?

I am frequently asked the following question:  Can a service provider receive a warrant in connection with the provision of services?

The short answer is yes, but it is important to keep in mind that a warrant received in connection with the performance of services will be taxed just like a compensatory stock option. 

  In other words, unless the warrant qualifies under the incentive stock option rules (which it likely would not) the following apply:

  • to avoid adverse tax consequences under Section 409A, the warrant would generally must have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant;
  • upon exercise, the excess of the fair market value of the shares received over the exercise price would be taxed as ordinary compensation income;
  • if the recipient was an employee, upon exercise income and employment tax withholding would be required; and
  • if the service provider was an independent contractor and not an employee, the income, although not subject to income and employment tax withholding, would probably have to be reported to the IRS on a Form 1099.

A warrant received in connection with an investment, or a loan, and not in connection with the provision of services, is not taxed as described above.  There is generally no tax owed as a result of the exercise of a non-compensatory warrant.  However, depending on the circumstances in which the warrant is received, there can be tax owed before the warrant is exercised.  For example, a warrant issued in connection with a note will be considered to give rise to  original issue discount , which is generally required to be taken into income over the term of the note.  You should consult with a tax advisor about any warrants received in connection with an investment to determine the correct tax treatment.

 
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Posted on May 28, 2009 by Joseph M. Wallin

When Does My Capital Gains Holding Period Start For Warrant Shares?

 

Q: When does my capital gains holding period start for shares acquired upon exercise of a warrant I received from a company in connection with an investment or a loan (i.e., not a warrant issued in consideration for services)?

A: If you exercise your warrant by paying cash for the exercise price, your capital gains holding period does not start until you exercise your warrant.  (Unfortunately, there is some uncertainty as to whether the holding period starts on the day of the exercise of the warrant or the day after.  See here.) 

If you exercise your warrant in a cashless exercise, there is uncertainty as to the right answer.  Some taxpayers argue that the cashless exercise of a warrant is a recapitalization event itself entitling the taxpayer to tack their holding period back to the date of the acquisition of the warrant.  See the attached letter, in which the New York State Bar Association states:  "If a cashless exercise constitutes a recapitalization, the warrant holder's holding period for the stock received upon exercise would generally include the holding period for the warrants."  

 

 

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