Sounds like you're describing ISOs, while the parent was describing NQSOs. With ...

		dlubarov on March 4, 2015 \| parent \| context \| favorite \| on: If you have startup stock options, check your opti... Sounds like you're describing ISOs, while the parent was describing NQSOs. With NQSOs, the (market value - exercise price) spread is taxed as ordinary income at the time of exercise.

correct -- for ISOs.