Valuation of stock options
A stock option gives an investor the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a stock at an agreed upon price and date. There are two types of options: puts, which is a bet that a stock will fall, or calls, which is a bet that a stock will rise. How to Report Stock Options on Your Tax Return. liable for ordinary income tax on the difference between the price you paid for the stock and the current fair market value. If you exercise a non-statutory option for IBM at $150/share and the current market value is $160/share, you'll pay tax on the $10/share difference ($160 - $150 = $10).