I receive non-tradeable options from my employer. My understanding is that the value of the option is taxed as income upon exercise (or sale of stock, for statu

I receive non-tradeable options from my employer. My understanding is that the value of the option is taxed as income upon exercise (or sale of stock, for statutory options). There are games to play about which tax year to exercise in, but no getting around the income tax. Can you explain how income tax is avoided with options? The only potential tax avoidance I see is: (1) avoided income tax by flexibility in timing of the exercise/sale (2) potentially avoided capital gains tax if the value of the option grows before exercise/sale In neither case do I see a way to get around income tax on options given as compensation for work.