05/28/2026
If you’re a tech executive with incentive stock options (ISOs), there’s a tax trap that can create a massive surprise bill, even if you never sell a single share.
In this video, we break down how the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) works, why exercising
ISOs can trigger unexpected taxes, and the planning strategies high-income tech professionals should understand before retirement, job transitions, or liquidity events.
We cover:
• What ISOs actually are
• How the AMT calculation works
• Why exercising and holding shares can create “phantom income”
• Common mistakes tech employees make with stock compensation
• The difference between regular tax vs AMT treatment
• Why timing matters when approaching retirement or changing jobs
• Strategies to potentially reduce unnecessary tax exposure
If you’ve accumulated equity compensation through a tech company, understanding these rules could help you avoid one of the most expensive planning mistakes we see.