Exceptions to the general tax-free treatment of stock dividends occur when a stock dividend results in a change in the proportionate ownership or increases a shareholder's interest in the assets or earnings and profits of the corporation. When an exception applies, the stock dividend must be recognized as income at the fair market value of the distributed stock as of the date of distribution. Stock dividends are generally gross income to shareholders in the following situations:
35 Miss. Code. R. 3-02-06-108