EXHIBIT 4.3
FORM OF STOCK AWARD TAX NOTICE
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TAX ISSUES RELATED TO EXERCISE OF STOCK OPTIONS
This memorandum reviews the tax effects upon the exercise of
"Non-Incentive Stock Options" ("NSOs") (those options awarded to non-employee
directors and perhaps to some officers).
Upon the exercise of an NSO, the amount by which the fair market value
of the shares on the date of exercise exceeds the exercise price will be taxed
to the optionee as ordinary income. The Company will be entitled to a deduction
in the same amount, provided it makes all required withholdings on the
compensation element of the exercise. In general, the optionee's tax basis in
the shares acquired by exercising an NSO is equal to the fair market value of
such shares on the date of exercise. Upon a subsequent sale of any such shares
in a taxable transaction, the optionee will realize capital gain or loss
(long-term or short-term, depending on whether the shares were held for more
than 12 months before the sale) in an amount equal to the difference between his
or her basis in the shares and the sale price.
Special rules apply if an optionee pays the exercise price upon
exercise of NSOs with previously acquired shares of stock. Except as described
below with respect to shares acquired pursuant to ISOs, such a transaction is
treated as a tax-free exchange of the old shares for the same number of new
shares. To that extent, the optionee's basis in the new shares is the same as
his or her basis in the old shares, i.e., there is a carryover of basis, and the
capital gain holding period runs without interruption from the date when the old
shares were acquired. The value of any new shares received by the optionee in
excess of the number of old shares surrendered less any cash the optionee pays
for the new shares will be taxed as ordinary income. The optionee's basis in the
additional shares is equal to the fair market value of such shares on the date
the shares were transferred, and the capital gain holding period commences on
the same date. The effect of these rules is to defer the date when any gain in
the old shares that are used to buy new shares must be recognized for tax
purposes. Stated differently, these rules allow an optionee to finance the
exercise of an NSO by using shares of stock that he or she already owns, without
paying current tax on any unrealized appreciation in the value of all or a
portion of those old shares.
