[Verse 1] Executive paychecks reach the sky But the taxman has a watchful eye Reasonable compensation's the rule Or deductions vanish, you're the fool When salaries climb beyond what's fair The IRS will strip them bare [Chorus] One six two M caps the game Million dollar ceiling on the claim Two eight zero G's the parachute Four nine nine nine makes you pay the loot Golden handshakes cost you more Twenty percent tax knocks at your door [Verse 2] Covered employees feel the squeeze Public company executives on their knees TCJA expanded who gets caught More positions in the million-dollar drought CFO and top-paid trio In the compensation rodeo [Chorus] One six two M caps the game Million dollar ceiling on the claim Two eight zero G's the parachute Four nine nine nine makes you pay the loot Golden handshakes cost you more Twenty percent tax knocks at your door [Verse 3] Deferred compensation walks a line Four zero nine A keeps it fine Distribution rules you must obey Or twenty percent penalty you'll pay Plus income tax hits right away When timing rules you disobey [Bridge] Stock options come in two designs ISO versus NQSO lines Incentive options dodge the tax Till you sell and face the facts Nonqualified hits when you exercise Regular income, no surprise [Verse 4] Restricted stock sits in your hands Section eighty-three understands Wait for vesting, pay the freight Or elect early, seal your fate Eighty-three B lets you choose Pay tax now or later lose [Chorus] Carried interest waits three years One zero six one makes it clear Hold your partnership returns Or ordinary income burns Private equity feels the sting Capital gains need seasoning [Outro] Executive compensation's maze Navigate these complex ways Know the codes that rule the game Or watch your wealth go up in flames
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