Do RSU sales go on Schedule D?

Yes — sales of stock after vest are capital asset dispositions on Form 8949 and Schedule D, separate from W-2 wages.

What Form 8949 adjustment code for RSU basis?

See IRS Form 8949 instructions for the tax year when basis reported to IRS differs from your records — codes and columns vary slightly by year.

Schedule D if I sold at a loss after vest?

Yes. Loss does not undo vest wage tax — it offsets other gains or carries forward per capital loss rules.

Schedule D RSU Sales | Form 8949 & Correct Basis

You sold RSU shares and need to know where the sale lands on your return — Form 8949, Schedule D, and how that connects to W-2 vest wages.

Start here

income goes on your . The sale goes on Form 8949 (detail) and Schedule D (summary): proceeds from , basis usually equal to , gain or loss is generally the price change after . Adjust basis when shows $0.

What you need before using this

for each sale.
confirmations with .
for year.
Whether sales are covered or noncovered on .

Form layouts follow IRS instructions; software labels vary.

Why this happens

IRS splits wage income () from capital transactions (sale).

Form 8949 lists each sale; Schedule D rolls up totals.

Brokers report proceeds; you often must correct basis.

Short-term vs long-term depends on holding period from .

What to check

Form 8949 column for basis adjustment when broker basis is wrong.
Holding period from to sale.
Summary totals flowing to Schedule D.
That wages are not duplicated on 8949 as proceeds.
State Schedule D if your state taxes .

Skipping Form 8949 because tax software imported one summary line

basis fixes usually require lot-level detail or adjustment codes. A summary import with $0 basis still flows wrong totals to Schedule D.

What to check in your documents

boxes 1d, 1e, 3, 5.
Form 8949 as completed in software.
Schedule D summary page.
confirmations supporting basis.

Example scenario (hypothetical)

Illustration only, not your tax situation.

Example: One lot sold — $5,000 proceeds, $4,800 basis, $200 short-term gain on Form 8949. Schedule D shows $200 net short-term gain while already included $4,800 wages.

Questions people ask

Do RSU sales go on Schedule D?: Yes — sales of stock after are capital asset dispositions on Form 8949 and Schedule D, separate from wages.
What Form 8949 adjustment code for RSU basis?: See IRS Form 8949 instructions for the tax year when basis reported to IRS differs from your records — codes and columns vary slightly by year.
Schedule D if I sold at a loss after vest?: Yes. Loss does not undo wage tax — it offsets other gains or carries forward per capital loss rules.

When to get help from a tax pro

Dozens of lots in one year.
Wash sales or multiple brokers.
You sold and shares from the same account.

Related calculators

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 sales on Form 8949 and Schedule D vs W-2 vest wages.

About Schedule D (Form 1040) — Capital Gains and Losses
Internal Revenue Service · Official
Summary of capital gains and losses from Form 8949.
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.
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.

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.

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Schedule D and Form 8949 for RSU share sales