"Exempt stock rights (stock options and stock appreciation rights) can be awarded to service providers who are expected to commence work for the service recipient within 12 months, if they actually do commence work within that period.... Liberal timing rules apply to payments triggered by the service provider's death.... 'Clawbacks' on exempt stock rights are permitted.... A payment can qualify as a 'short-term deferral' even if the payment is made after March 15 of the year following vesting, where the payment is prohibited by federal securities law restrictions."  MORE >>