RSU Sell To Cover Deconstructed
Ever since I wrote Restricted Stock Units (RSU) Sales and Tax Reporting, I received many questions. They all relate to sell-to-cover, which is the default, and often the only option people have for their restricted stock units (RSU). I must have not been crystal clear in my previous post. Otherwise I would not have received so many questions. I thought of a better way to explain it. So hopefully it is clear this time. For background on RSUs and tax withholding, please also read my previous post Restricted Stock Units (RSU) Tax Withholding Choices.
Let's use this hypothetical example.
Restricted Stock Units (RSU) Sales and Tax Reporting
RSU stands for Restricted Stock Units. It's the new form of stock-based compensation that has gained popularity after the employers are required to expense employee stock options. The biggest difference between RSUs and employee stock options is that RSUs are taxed at the time of vesting while stock options are usually taxed at the time of option exercise. The employer is required to withhold taxes as soon as the RSUs become vested.
In a previous post, Restricted Stock Units (RSU) Tax Withholding Choices, I wrote about what I chose among the three tax withholding choices — same day sale, sell to cover, and cash transfer — and why. This time I'm writing about how to account for taxes on the tax return, especially if you use tax software like TurboTax or TaxCut.
I'm going to use this simple example:
Restricted Stock Units (RSU) Tax Withholding Choices
Ever since the companies are required to expense employee stock options, more companies started to grant the employees Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) instead of stock options. The first batch of RSUs I received will vest shortly. Unlike non-qualified stock options which are taxed at the time of option exercise, RSUs are taxed at the time of vesting. Our stock plan administrator has asked me to choose how I want to pay for the tax withholding when my RSUs vest. I have 3 choices:
1. Same Day Sale. This is the simplest. On the vesting date, I sell everything. After subtracting for tax withholding, I end up with net cash.
2. Sell to Cover. If I choose this option, they will sell just enough shares to cover the tax withholding. I keep the remaining shares and I can sell them myself whenever I want to.
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