vestingtax.com
RSU tax calculator

Calculators

Run the numbers on equity vests so you know what to expect and what to set aside.

Rates and rules change. Content is reviewed for tax year 2026. Check the last-reviewed date and methodology on each page, then confirm against IRS or state guidance before you file.

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These calculators help you compare estimated tax on RSU vests, withholding gaps, cost basis on 1099-B sales, and simple state-move scenarios. Each tool shows its tax year, assumptions, and source links in the results panel.

They are planning estimates — not tax preparation software. Confirm outcomes with your pay stubs, vest confirmations, and a qualified professional before filing.

Which calculator should I use?

Start with the situation that matches yours. Each section lists the documents to gather and calculators or guides to read next.

  1. I just had RSUs vest

    Start here if shares landed in your account or your pay stub jumped on vest day. You want to know how much tax the vest likely created and whether sell-to-cover left you with the shares or cash you expected.

    Gather your vest confirmation (shares vesting, FMV used, shares sold for withholding) and your latest pay stub. The RSU tax calculator estimates federal, payroll, and state tax on the vest; net proceeds and sell-to-cover tools show cash flow after withholding.

    If this is your first vest, read how RSUs are taxed before you run numbers — the wage-income timing explains most W-2 and 1099-B surprises later.

  2. I think my employer under-withheld

    Flat supplemental withholding on RSU vests (often 22% federal on the income-tax portion) is a payroll method, not your final tax rate. When salary, bonus, and vests stack, your marginal bracket may be higher than what payroll withheld.

    Use the withholding gap calculator with your vest value, salary, and bonus. Compare the gap to your pay stub and vest confirmation — then read why withholding and actual tax differ before changing W-4 or making estimated payments.

    Estimated payments may help if you have a large gap and cannot adjust salary withholding in time. Safe-harbor rules depend on your prior-year liability — see IRS estimated tax guidance rather than guessing quarterly amounts.

  3. My 1099-B or cost basis looks wrong

    Brokers often report $0 cost basis on RSU sales because they may not know your vest-date FMV already taxed as W-2 wages. That does not mean you pay tax twice — it usually means Form 8949 needs a basis adjustment.

    Pull vest confirmations for each lot sold and your W-2. The cost basis calculator and 1099-B adjustment helper show corrected basis and illustrative gain after tying sale proceeds to vest FMV.

    Import broker data into tax software carefully — accepting $0 basis can overstate capital gain. Fix basis before you e-file, and keep a worksheet linking each sale to its vest date.

  4. I moved states

    State tax on RSU income depends on residency and sourcing rules when you vest, work, and sell — not just where you live on April 15. A mid-year move can split income between states or leave continuing obligations in the state you left.

    Use the move-between-states calculator for a simple two-state illustration, then the state comparison tool if you are choosing between destinations. Read the route-specific guide that matches your move (California to Texas, California to Washington, New York to Florida, etc.).

    Save lease dates, employer remote-work records, and vest confirmations by date — states may ask which income was earned while you were a resident.

  5. I have stock options

    Options are not RSUs. NSO spread is generally wage income at exercise; ISO spread may trigger AMT even if you do not sell. Early exercise and 83(b) elections add deadlines measured in days, not months.

    Identify ISO vs NSO in your grant agreement before running calculators. Model exercise tax before you click exercise — especially at private companies where you may owe tax before you can sell.

    Form 3921 reports ISO exercises to the IRS; NSO spread usually appears on W-2. Keep exercise confirmations with your grant paperwork.

  6. I have ESPP

    Employee stock purchase plans combine payroll contributions, a plan discount, and holding-period rules. Discount income is often ordinary wages (W-2) while post-purchase gain may be capital gain depending on how long you hold shares.

    Use the ESPP tax calculator with your purchase confirmation and sale details if you sell. Qualifying vs disqualifying disposition changes how income splits between W-2 and Schedule D — your plan document defines the discount formula.

    Read the ESPP tax guide for holding-period rules, W-2 timing, and how discount income differs from post-purchase capital gain before you sell shares.

What documents to gather before you run a calculator

Educational checklist — gather these before running calculators or filing. Your plan administrator may use different labels.

  • confirmation from your equity portal (date, shares, , )
  • Pay stub from the pay period ( lines)
  • for the year (Box 1 wages, state boxes if applicable)
  • for any share sales (proceeds and reported basis)
  • Broker supplemental stock plan statement or lot detail report
  • Grant agreement and schedule (for timing and grant type)
  • / exercise notice and Form 3921 if you exercised options
  • State residency dates and move records if you relocated during the year

Common RSU planning mistakes

  • Treating withholding as your final tax

    Employers often withhold at a flat supplemental rate on RSU vests. That rate is a payroll default, not a cap on what you owe for the year. Your marginal rate on stacked salary plus vest income may be higher.

  • Assuming sell-to-cover means taxes are fully paid

    Sell-to-cover sells shares to fund withholding. It does not automatically match your full-year marginal tax. You can still owe at filing if rates were too low or state tax was under-withheld.

  • Double-counting or undercounting basis on 1099-B

    Vest income belongs on your W-2. The sale still belongs on Form 8949. If the broker reports $0 basis, adjust to vest FMV — do not delete the sale or assume the W-2 alone covers it.

  • Forgetting state sourcing after a move

    A mid-year relocation can split which state taxes vest income. Keep lease, domicile, and payroll records — not just your current mailing address.

Start with the highest-intent tools

Most visitors begin with the RSU tax calculator (vest estimate), withholding gap calculator (22% vs your bracket), or cost basis calculator (1099-B with $0 basis). State and option calculators build on the same document set.

How to read the results

Loaded tax years show reviewed federal and state assumptions. If you select a year without loaded tables, the calculator asks you to enter rates manually — we do not guess missing values.

Compare calculator output to your vest confirmation and pay stub, not to the headline grant value in your offer letter.

Quick links

Sources and notes

Primary tax claims on this page are supported by the official and secondary sources below. Broker and software links describe reporting mechanics — confirm rules against IRS or state guidance.

RSU vest as wages, supplemental withholding rates, and separate payroll tax on vest income.

Confirm any tax outcome with your documents and a qualified tax professional. See our editorial standards for how we source and update pages.

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