There is a provision in the House version of the tax bill to not tax the exercising of options until there is a liquidity event. In that case you wouldn't be ta

There is a provision in the House version of the tax bill to not tax the exercising of options until there is a liquidity event. In that case you wouldn't be taxed on the unrealized gain until you could sell the stock. I still think with options it should be as you've pointed out a tax-free event until you actually sell the equity for cash.