Near the beginning of each year, the taxpayer would notify each of its executives that an award of units (within a specifed range) would be made to the executive in respect of the three-year compensation period commencing with that year, which would then be used to determine, within 120 days after the end of that compensation period, the bonus that would be paid to the executive in respect of the compensation period. Bonuses were paid at the option of the taxpayer in cash or shares with full stated capital.