@roalddahl14 you say " incentive option" -- does this mean a warrant / promise from the entity to let you buy XXX shares at US$ YYY each ( irrespective of market value ) or actual shares handed over to you with conditions ( Restricted ) as a payment / bonus in kind ?
If the latter, then from US tax perspective , since these were owned by you when you entered US, your basis would be at whatever you got it at ( generally at FMV on the award date -- because the awarding entity would put it on their books as an expense at FMV ). Any gain or loss will have to be recognized for US taxes when you dispose the shares.
Does this make sense ?
