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Estimate vest tax

Which documents you need to file RSU taxes

Collect documents as vests happen so filing season is paperwork, not archaeology.

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

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To file cleanly, you generally need your , your broker's , and your records ( dates and per share). The records are the piece people forget, they are what let you adjust basis and avoid being taxed twice.

Why this happens

Your shows the income that was taxed as wages.

Your shows share sales, but often with missing basis.

Your confirmations or supplemental stock plan report fill in the basis the leaves out.

Having all three lets you reconcile income and sales without guessing.

What to check

  • for the year, including any Box 14 notes.
  • and any supplemental stock plan statement.
  • confirmations with per share for each lot.
  • Year-end summary from your equity platform.
  • Records of any state changes during the year.

Common mistake

Waiting until April to hunt for prices: Saving each confirmation as it happens turns filing into paperwork instead of archaeology.

Example scenario (hypothetical)

Illustration only, not your tax situation.

Example: Morgan keeps a folder with each year's , , and confirmations. When a sale shows $0 basis, Morgan pulls the matching confirmation in seconds and adjusts basis correctly.

When to get help from a tax pro

  • You are missing records and the shows $0 basis.
  • You have multiple employers or accounts.
  • You moved states mid-year.
  • You received corrected documents.

Related pages

For learning, not filing

Grants, employers, and states all differ. Use your own documents and a qualified tax professional before you make decisions from this guide.