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RSU Tax Calculator

Work out rsu tax instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About RSU Tax Calculator

Restricted stock units are taxed twice over: the full value at vesting is salary income, and any appreciation from vesting to sale is a capital gain. The vesting price becomes the cost basis, which prevents double taxation of the same value.

Formula

RSU taxation

At vest: units × price × marginal rate. On sale: (sale - vest price) × units × gains rate

Worked example

With the default values below, RSU Tax Calculator returns Total Tax Across Both Events of $523,750.00. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Units Vestedaccepts 1–1,000,000
500
Price At Vestingminimum 0
3,200
Price At Saleminimum 0
3,900
Marginal Tax Rateaccepts 0–60 %
30 %

Results

Total Tax Across Both Events
$523,750.00
Tax At Vesting
$480,000.00
Capital Gain On Sale
$350,000.00
Net Proceeds After All Tax
$1,426,250.00

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2RSU taxation
  3. 3Total Tax Across Both Events= 523,750.00
  4. 4Tax At Vesting= 480,000.00
  5. 5Capital Gain On Sale= 350,000.00
  6. 6Net Proceeds After All Tax= 1,426,250.00

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • Tax figures are estimates based on the rates, caps and thresholds you enter. Real rules differ by jurisdiction and change every year, and personal circumstances alter the outcome. This is not tax or financial advice — confirm with a qualified adviser.
  • This is an estimate for general information and not professional financial, tax or legal advice. See the full disclaimer for the limits that apply to this kind of calculator.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Tax figures are estimates based on the rates, caps and thresholds you enter. Real rules differ by jurisdiction and change every year, and personal circumstances alter the outcome. This is not tax or financial advice — confirm with a qualified adviser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the whole value taxed at vesting?

Because unlike options there is no exercise price — you receive shares outright, so their full value is pay.

Should shares be sold at vesting?

Selling enough to cover the tax is common practice, since the liability arises whether or not you sell.

Related Calculators

RSU Tax Calculator – Calculate Total Tax Across Both Events