RSU Cost Basis Calculator
Cost basis on sold RSUs usually ties back to vest FMV already taxed as wages — this tool helps you model that link.
You sold RSU or restricted stock shares and your 1099-B shows $0 or blank cost basis. This restricted stock tax calculator helps you compare broker-reported basis to vest FMV so you can see whether a basis adjustment is likely before you file.
Gather before you start
- for the sale (proceeds and reported basis).
- confirmation for the lot you sold: and per share.
- for the year showing wages (to confirm income was taxed).
- Broker supplemental stock plan statement if you have one.
- Number of shares sold from that specific lot.
Illustrates basis math only. Your grant type, broker reporting, and filing software labels can differ.
In plain terms
Planning estimate
Basis depends on your vest records and 1099-B. Match your own documents before you file.
We do not pre-fill personal financial values. Estimates appear only after you enter your own numbers.
Enter your details to estimate
Add your equity, income, state, and withholding details to see an educational estimate. No personal financial values are pre-filled.
Start with the fields below.
Your details
Enter your own numbers below. This is an estimate, not a filing position.
Required to estimate
Fair market value when RSUs vested, this is usually your correct cost basis.
Required to estimate
Price you received when selling (before commission).
Required to estimate
Cost basis your broker reported, often $0 for RSUs. Leave blank to treat as $0.
Trading fees reduce sale proceeds.
Results will appear here once you enter the required details on the left.
Related guides
- Why Is My RSU Cost Basis Zero?
Zero basis on 1099-B usually means the broker did not link your vest wage income — not that tax was skipped.
- How to Adjust RSU Cost Basis
Basis adjustments connect vest wage income to later sales — document FMV from vest records.
- RSUs on 1099-B: What to Look For
1099-B for RSUs often shows low or zero basis — that does not mean your true basis is zero.
- RSU Sale Reported Twice: What To Check
Double-counting usually means basis was not adjusted — fix basis before panicking about tax owed.
When to use this calculator
- You sold shares and your broker's shows $0 or incomplete .
- You want to confirm what basis should reflect -date already taxed as wages.
- You are preparing Form 8949 adjustments before importing broker data into tax software.
Inputs you need
- Shares sold and sale proceeds (from or trade confirmation).
- -date per share or total value from confirmation / detail.
- Sale date and whether the sale was short-term or long-term based on your holding period.
How to interpret the result
- Corrected basis should generally start at — the amount already included in wages — so reflects price change after , not the full sale price.
- The calculator shows illustrative gain/loss after basis adjustment; your software may require manual entry on Form 8949.
- If basis on is wrong but close, the adjustment code and amount matter more than retyping every field.
What this calculator does not know
- Whether your broker later corrected basis in a supplemental statement — always check for amended .
- Wash sales, gifted shares, or lots with multiple dates merged in one sale.
- State-specific reporting differences or city taxes on .
- Whether your employer reported income correctly on — basis fixes assume wages match .
Documents to verify before filing
- and any broker supplemental tax lot detail.
- confirmations for each lot sold ( per share on ).
- Box 1 and wage detail / Box 14 codes if your employer provides them.
- Trade confirmations showing sale date and proceeds.
Next pages to read
- RSU Sale Tax Calculator
- 1099-B RSU Adjustment Helper
- How to adjust RSU cost basis
- RSUs on 1099-B
- Are RSUs taxed twice?
These links are for education and planning. They are not filing instructions and do not replace review of your own documents or a qualified tax professional.
How the tax works
Brokers see the sale, not the compensation event at . Many sales are reported as noncovered securities with incomplete basis on .
Your true basis is usually the at , the same amount already taxed as wages on your .
Tax software imports literally unless you override, which makes a correct sale look like a huge .
What to check on your end
- per share × shares sold vs. basis.
- Whether wages include the amount in the correct year.
- Reported gain if basis stays at $0 vs. after adjustment.
- Short-term vs. long-term holding period from , not .
- Whether you sold multiple lots that need separate basis entries.
Deleting the 1099-B because it "duplicates" the W-2
What to pull from your files
- Box 1d (proceeds) and Box 1e ().
- Box 5 noncovered indicator (common on plan sales).
- Box 1 wages for the year.
- confirmation PDF with and share count.
- Supplemental lot detail from broker showing adjusted basis if provided.
Example scenario (hypothetical)
Illustration only, not your tax situation.
Questions people ask
- Is this a restricted stock tax calculator?
- For sales after , yes — it models on restricted stock units () already taxed as wages. It does not estimate tax at ; use the tax calculator for that.
- What is cost basis for restricted stock units (RSUs)?
- For standard vests taxed as wages, basis is generally -date per share — the amount already on your . That is what brokers often omit on .
- Is vest FMV always my basis?
- For standard vests taxed as wages, basis is generally the on the . Different rules apply to , inherited shares, or gifts. This tool assumes ordinary treatment.
- What if my broker later sends a corrected 1099-B?
- Use the corrected form. Some brokers update basis after you upload data; others never fix it and you adjust on Form 8949 yourself. Keep confirmations either way.
- Do I adjust basis in TurboTax or on paper forms?
- Most software has a basis adjustment or " incorrect" workflow on each sale. You enter the total as adjusted basis and keep documentation. The IRS instructions for Form 8949 describe reporting when broker basis is wrong.
When a CPA is worth it
- You transferred shares between brokers and basis did not carry over.
- You sold or option shares mixed with on the same .
- You already filed with $0 basis and need to amend.
- You received an IRS notice matching proceeds to income.
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.
Broker-reported basis on RSU sales and adjusting to vest FMV already on W-2.
- About Form 1099-B — Proceeds from Broker and Barter Exchange Transactions
Internal Revenue Service · Official
Broker reporting of sales proceeds and basis; basis on 1099-B may be incomplete for equity-compensation shares.
- Instructions for Form 8949 — Sales and Other Dispositions of Capital Assets
Internal Revenue Service · Official
How to report sales when broker-reported basis is incorrect, including adjustment codes.
- Filing taxes for restricted stock, RSUs, or performance awards (tax guide PDF)
Fidelity Stock Plan Services · Brokerage explainer
Explains W-2 vest income, 1099-B with $0 basis, supplemental adjusted cost basis, and Form 8949 reporting.
Related calculators
Related pages
- Why Is My RSU Cost Basis Zero?
Zero basis on 1099-B usually means the broker did not link your vest wage income — not that tax was skipped.
- How to Adjust RSU Cost Basis
Basis adjustments connect vest wage income to later sales — document FMV from vest records.
- Are RSUs Taxed Twice?
Vest income and later sales can both show up on tax forms — that is not always double tax on the same dollars.
For learning, not filing
VestingTax.com is not a CPA firm or tax preparer. Grants, employers, and states all differ. Use the cited IRS and state sources above, your own documents, and a qualified tax professional before you make decisions from this guide.