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Estimate vest tax

Which tax form is for RSU income?

RSU vest income goes on your W-2; sales go on 1099-B and Schedule D. there is no separate RSU-only IRS form.

You searched for the tax form for RSU because filing season is here and you are not sure whether RSUs go on a separate form, your W-2, or something from your broker. This page maps each RSU event to the form that reports it.

Start here

income belongs on as wages — there is no separate IRS form just for the . When you sell shares, reports the sale; you detail it on Form 8949 and Schedule D, usually with a basis adjustment so you are not taxed twice on value.

What you need before using this

  • from your employer.
  • from your broker (may arrive separately from ).
  • confirmations for each lot you sold.
  • Equity portal year-end summary if available.

Form names and boxes can change. Use current IRS instructions for the tax year you are filing.

Why this happens

Compensation and investment sales use different forms.

Employers report wages; brokers report sales.

touch both because creates wages and later sale creates a capital transaction.

Brokers often do not know basis, so alone is incomplete.

What to check

  • Box 1 — does it include totals?
  • — proceeds, basis column, covered vs noncovered.
  • Whether you need Form 8949 adjustments.
  • Schedule D summary matches your intent.
  • State forms mirror wage and gain reporting.

Looking for a standalone RSU tax form

There is no special -only IRS form. The flows through ; the sale flows through and Schedule D. Searching for a single form misses the two-step reporting path.

What to check in your documents

  • (all copies).
  • and broker supplemental statement.
  • confirmation emails or PDFs.
  • Form 8949 as prepared in tax software.
  • State wage form equivalents if applicable.

Example scenario (hypothetical)

Illustration only, not your tax situation.

Example: One employer includes $25,000 of wages. Later, a shows an sale with $26,000 proceeds and blank basis. You report the sale on Form 8949 with $25,000 basis tied to records, not $0 from the broker.

Questions people ask

Is there a dedicated tax form for RSU at vest?
No. income is wage income reported on by your employer. You include the when filing Form 1040.
What tax form do I use when I sell RSU shares?
Your broker sends . You use that data on Form 8949 and Schedule D. Basis should generally equal the already on your .
What is Form 8949 for RSUs?
Form 8949 lists each stock sale with proceeds, basis, and adjustments. sales often need a basis adjustment when shows $0.
Does Form 3921 apply to RSUs?
Form 3921 is for exercises, not . recipients typically look at and instead.

When to get help from a tax pro

  • You have and sales on multiple forms.
  • Employer and broker names differ and matching is confusing.
  • You transferred shares between accounts and basis did not follow.
  • You file in a state with different wage reporting rules.

Related calculators

Related pages

Sources and notes

Which IRS forms report RSU vest wages vs share sales.

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.