> options worthless and owe $4000 in taxes Presumably you mean: stock shares worthless and owe $4000 in taxes. Without that correction, many people will wonde

> options worthless and owe $4000 in taxes Presumably you mean: stock shares worthless and owe $4000 in taxes. Without that correction, many people will wonder how you own taxes on unexercised options. (It is possible, but quite uncommon.)