By selling the stock in the same year that effectively causes the ISO shares to be treated like nonqualified options.

I've auctioned off many scripts and will continue to do so for good causes.

They can't change the AMT tax consequences of that $55 that they made in virtual income when they exercised and they will pay taxes on that extra money if they still hold those shares on Dec. 31st of this year.

I bet it would stop some people in their shoes if they were expecting to put not much down payment into it. It would make fewer buyers qualify for the high end, and when it comes to the middle market it would make buyers think twice about how they would finance it.

It is the great American bait and switch. They say, 'We're going to give you tax breaks' -- and then you find out you don't qualify.

Alternative minimum tax is a misnomer. It isn't an alternative, because you don't have a choice. And it isn't the minimum, because you end up paying higher taxes than you would have otherwise.