JACKSON HEWITT TAX SERVICE INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED 2004 EQUITY AND INCENTIVE PLAN
Exhibit 10.27
JACKSON HEWITT TAX SERVICE INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED 2004 EQUITY AND INCENTIVE PLAN
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
This STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT is effective as of [DATE OF GRANT] (the Grant Date), between Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company), and the optionee specified on Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof (the Optionee).
Pursuant to the Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. Amended and Restated 2004 Equity and Incentive Plan (the Plan), the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the Committee) has determined that the Optionee is to be awarded, on the terms and conditions set forth herein, and on the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, an option (an Option) to purchase shares of common stock of the Company as specified below, and hereby grants such Option. Capitalized terms used herein which are not defined in this Stock Option Agreement will have the meanings set forth in the Plan. The Optionee acknowledges that he or she has received a copy of the Plan Prospectus.
1. Number of Shares and Purchase Price. The Optionee is hereby granted an Option to purchase the number of shares of common stock of the Company specified on Exhibit A (the Option Shares) at the Option Price per Share specified on Exhibit A, pursuant to the terms of this Stock Option Agreement and the provisions of the Plan.
2. Term of Option and Conditions of Exercise.
(a) The Option has been granted as of the Grant Date and shall terminate on the Expiration Date specified on Exhibit A (which shall not exceed ten years from the Grant Date), subject to earlier termination as provided herein and in the Plan. Upon the termination or expiration of the Option, all rights of the Optionee in respect of such Option hereunder shall cease.
(b) Subject to the provisions of the Plan and this Stock Option Agreement, and so long as the Optionee continues to be employed by the Company, the Option shall vest after one year from the Grant Date as to one-third of the Option Shares, after two years from the Grant Date as to two-thirds of the Option Shares and after three years from the Grant Date as to 100% of the Option Shares (as set forth on Exhibit A).
3. Termination of Employment.
The Option may not be exercised following the Optionees termination of employment with the Company and its subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Optionee shall have the right to exercise the Option following any such termination of employment as follows: (i) during a period of twelve (12) months following the Optionees termination of employment for any reason whatsoever, other than death or Disability; or (ii) the period of twenty-four (24) months following the Optionees termination of employment by reason of such Optionees death or Disability.
4. Exercise of Option.
The Option may only be exercised in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the administrative procedures established by the Company and/or the Committee from time to time. The exercise of the Option is subject to the Optionee making appropriate tax withholding arrangements with the Company in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the administrative procedures established by the Company and/or the Committee from time to time.
5. Adjustment upon Changes in Capitalization.
The Option is subject to adjustment in the event of certain changes in the capitalization of the Company, to the extent set forth in Section 3 of the Plan.
6. Miscellaneous.
(a) Entire Agreement. This Stock Option Agreement and the Plan contain all of the understandings and agreements between the Company and the Optionee concerning the Option and supersedes all earlier negotiations and understandings, written or oral, between the parties with respect thereto. The Company and the Optionee have made no promises, agreements, conditions or understandings, either orally or in writing, that are not included in this Stock Option Agreement or the Plan.
(b) Captions. The captions and section numbers appearing in this Stock Option Agreement are inserted only as a matter of convenience. They do not define, limit, construe or describe the scope or intent of the provisions of this Stock Option Agreement.
(c) Notices. Any notice or communication having to do with this Stock Option Agreement must be given by personal delivery or by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed, if to the Company or the Committee, to the attention of the General Counsel of the Company at the principal office of the Company and, if to the Optionee, to the Optionees last known address contained in the personnel records of the Company.
(d) Succession and Transfer. Each and all of the provisions of this Stock Option Agreement are binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and the Optionee and their respective estate, successors and assigns, subject to any limitations on transferability under applicable law or as set forth in the Plan.
(e) Governing Law. This Stock Option Agreement and the rights of all persons claiming hereunder will be construed and determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the choice of law principles thereof.
(f) Blackout Periods. The Optionee acknowledges that, from time to time as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, the Company may establish blackout periods during which this Option may not be exercised. The Company may establish a blackout period for any reason or for no reason.
This Stock Option Agreement is made under and subject to the provisions of the Plan, and all of the provisions of the Plan are hereby incorporated by reference herein as provisions of this Stock Option Agreement. If there is a conflict between the provisions of this Stock Option Agreement and the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will govern.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has executed this Stock Option Agreement on the date and year first above written.
JACKSON HEWITT TAX SERVICE INC. | ||
By: | ||
Michael C. Yerington | ||
President and Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit A
3 Sylvan Way
Parsippany, NJ 07054
Effective [GRANT DATE], you have been granted an Option (the Option) to buy shares of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (the Company) common stock with an exercise price equal to $[ ] per share. The Option is granted pursuant to the Companys Amended and Restated 2004 Equity and Incentive Plan (the Plan).
Shares in each period will become vested on the dates shown below.
Total # of Options | [Year 1] | [Year 2] | [Year 3] | Expiration | ||||
By your signature and the Companys signature below, you and the Company agree that these Options are granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Stock Option Agreement, all of which are attached and made a part of this document.
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. | Date | |||||||
[OPTIONEE] | Date |
Note: If there are any discrepancies in the name or address shown above, please make the appropriate corrections on this form.