You received a vest confirmation, release statement, or equity portal tax summary and need to know which numbers matter for taxes, which lines match your pay stub, and what to save for W-2 reconciliation and future 1099-B basis.
Start here
What you need before using this
- confirmation PDF or equity portal screenshot on .
- Pay stub for the same pay period if wages post through payroll.
- Grant agreement for schedule context (not ).
- Brokerage deposit notice showing net shares received.
- Prior confirmations if comparing multiple events.
Confirmation layouts vary by transfer agent and employer. Field names differ; totals should match plan tax principles.
Why this happens
Employers and transfer agents generate confirmations so employees see how many shares delivered and how tax was handled.
Gross shares times per share should equal total taxable wage income for standard plans per IRS Publication 525.
is usually closing market price on or a plan-defined price — the confirmation states which.
section shows federal, state, and FICA amounts or rates — compare to pay stub lines when payroll processes together.
Shares sold or withheld for tax reduce net shares deposited but do not reduce wage income — full is still wages.
lines show shares sold and proceeds applied to tax — a may follow for those sales.
Net settlement shows shares withheld instead of sold — often no on withheld shares.
Confirmation may list supplemental rate used — not your final .
Transaction ID and help match to pay stub YTD and brokerage lot records.
Currency and share rounding can create small differences between confirmation and pay stub — totals should be close.
Multiple tranches same day may appear as one confirmation or separate lines per grant.
Performance confirmations may include certification language — wage income still follows share delivery.
Tax year on confirmation follows /delivery date for your records even if payroll posts later.
Save confirmations in the year of — not just at tax filing.
Confirmations are employee records; brokers may not store for basis reporting later.
What to check
- Gross shares and per share multiply to stated total value.
- dollars vs rates on federal and state lines.
- Net shares = gross minus shares sold or withheld for tax.
- Method: , net settlement, or cash transfer.
- matches brokerage lot acquisition date.
- Pay stub gross wages include when payroll linked.
- Name and employer ticker match your grant.
- PDF saved with in filename for retrieval.
Saving only the brokerage deposit email and discarding the vest confirmation
What to check in your documents
- confirmation PDF.
- Pay stub for pay period.
- Brokerage trade confirm for if issued.
- Equity portal tax summary if employer provides annual rollup.
- when issued to reconcile Box 1.
Reading a sell-to-cover confirmation
Illustration only, not your tax situation.
Questions people ask
- What is FMV on an RSU vest confirmation?
- per share on the — multiplied by gross shares, it is the wage income amount for that under standard plans.
- Why do net shares differ from gross shares?
- Employers sell or shares to cover tax . You receive the remainder. wages still reflect full gross .
- Is vest confirmation the same as 1099-B?
- No. Confirmation documents and . reports sales — including trades — often with incomplete basis.
- Which line is my cost basis for later sales?
- per share on the confirmation for that lot — the amount taxed as wages.
- Confirmation vs pay stub mismatch?
- Compare total to pay stub gross wage increase. One-period timing gaps happen — use YTD wages if needed.
- No confirmation received?
- Check equity portal downloads and email. Contact stock admin if processed without documentation.
- Does confirmation show my final tax?
- It shows , not annual tax liability. on full-year income may differ.
- Multiple grants on one confirmation?
- Sum across lines for reconciliation. Each lot may have separate basis for Form 8949.
- How long should I keep confirmations?
- Until sale plus statute of limitations on the return — many keep them indefinitely with tax records.
- Confirmation for net settlement?
- Look for shares withheld rather than sold. wages are still full ; may not appear for withheld shares.
When to get help from a tax pro
- Confirmation method unclear for private company stock.
- No wage posting on pay stub or for documented .
- Cross-border with multiple currency lines.
- confirmation numbers conflict with broker records.
Related calculators
- RSU Tax Calculator
Model federal and state taxes on your RSU vest, compare withholding to estimated tax, and see what you may keep.
- RSU Sell-to-Cover Calculator
Model sell-to-cover mechanics — shares sold for withholding, shares delivered net, and cash you may still need.
- 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.
- RSU Withholding Gap Calculator
Focus on the gap between what your employer withholds on RSU vests and what you may owe when everything is reconciled.
Related pages
- What Happens When RSUs Vest?
On vest day your employer typically reports wage income, withholds tax, and may sell shares — here is what to expect.
- Reading Your Pay Stub After an RSU Vest
Vest FMV adds to gross wages on the same pay stub as salary — supplemental withholding and FICA lines spike, but net pay alone does not prove your full-year tax is covered.
- RSUs on W-2: What to Look For
Your W-2 should reflect RSU vest income in wages — know which boxes to check before filing.
- RSU Supplemental Stock Plan Lot Detail Explained
Supplemental lot detail reports often hold the vest price you need when 1099-B basis is wrong.
- Equity Compensation Tax Documents
How equity compensation shows up on W-2, 1099-B, Form 3921, and plan confirmations — and how to reconcile them before filing.
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.
Vest confirmation FMV, withholding lines, and basis records for RSU delivery.
- IRS Publication 525 — Taxable and Nontaxable Income
Internal Revenue Service · Official
Covers compensation income from stock-based pay, including restricted property under section 83.
- 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.
- Equity Compensation — RSU taxation at vest and on sale
Charles Schwab (Workplace Financial Services) · Brokerage explainer
Plain-language explainer: RSU value at vest on W-2, FICA, withholding may not cover full tax, separate capital gains on sale.
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.