Calculating Taxes

ESOPs are taxed at 2 instances –

At the time of exercise – as a perquisite. When the employee has exercised the option, basically agreed to buy; the difference between the FMV (on exercise date) and exercise price is taxed as perquisite. The employer deducts TDS on this perquisite. This amount is shown in the employee’s Form 16 and included as part of total income from salary in the tax return.

At the time of sale by employee – as a capital gain. The employee may choose to sell the shares once these are bought by him. If the employee sells these shares, another tax event happens. The difference between sale price and FMV on the exercise date is taxed as capital gains.

Exercise price ——-<Perquisite>——-FMV on exercise date——<capital gains>——sale price

How to calculate FMV

Advance Tax on capital gains

Advance Tax rules require that your tax dues (estimated for the whole year) must be paid in advance. Advance tax is paid in instalments. While the employer deducts TDS when you exercise your options, you may have to deposit advance tax if you have earned capital gains.

For financial year 2015-16 for individuals instalments are due on 15th June, 15th September, 15th December and 15th March. By 15th March 100% of your taxes must be paid. See more details about advance tax here.

Non payment or delayed payment of advance tax results in penal interest under section 234B and 234C.

However, it may be hard to estimate tax on capital gains and deposit advance tax in the first few instalments if sale took place later in the year. Therefore when advance tax instalments are being paid, no penal interest is charged where instalment is short due to capital gains. Remaining instalment (after sale of shares) of advance tax whenever due must include tax on capital gains.

Other considerations involved

To properly calculate tax on sale of ESOPs certain other aspects need to be considered as well.

Short term or long term gains

The rates at which your capital gains shall be taxed depends on the period of holding them. The period of holding is calculated from the exercise date up to the date of sale. Equity shares listed on a recognised stock exchange (where STT is paid on sale) are considered as long-term gains when held for more than one year. If sold within one year, they are considered as short-term gains. Currently, long-term gains on listed equity shares are tax free, whereas short-term gains are taxed at 15%.

When you have incurred a loss

In case you have incurred a loss you are allowed to carry forward short term capital losses in your tax return and adjust & set them off against gains in future years.

Long term loss on equity shares is a dead loss and has no treatment, simply because gains are not taxable as well.

Listed or unlisted shares

The Income Tax Act differentiates between tax treatment of listed and unlisted shares. The tax treatment for shares which are unlisted in India or listed out of India remains the same. That is, if you own shares of an American company, they will not be listed in India. They may be considered unlisted for the purpose of taxes in India. The shares are short-term when held for less than 3 years and long-term when sold after 3 years. The period of holding begins from the exercise date up to the date of sale. In this case, short-term gains are taxed at income tax slab rates and long-term gains are taxed at 20% after indexation of cost.

Starting FY 2016-17, UNLISTED equity shares shall be

short term capital assets – when sold within 24 months of holding them

long term capital assets – when sold after 24 months of holding them

[Applicable for sales made on or after 1st April 2016.]

Tax treatment of listed shares is mentioned above.

Residential status

Your income is taxable in India according to your residential status. If you are a resident, all your income from anywhere in the world are taxed in India. On the other hand, if you are a non-resident or resident but not ordinarily resident and have exercised your options or sold your shares, you may have to pay tax outside of India. In such a case, you may be able to take the benefit of Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). It makes sure your income is not taxed twice.

Disclosures

Several disclosures have been added in income tax return forms for foreign assets. If you own ESOPs or RSUs of a foreign company, you may have to disclose your foreign holdings under schedule FA of your income tax return. These disclosure requirements are applicable to a resident taxpayer.

When options are not exercised

On the vesting date the employee gains a right to exercise his option or buy the stocks. But there is no obligation, employee can choose to not exercise his option. In such a case there shall be no tax implication for the employee.