Offer Letter Basics: RSU taxes and how it works

RSU Taxes

Revised as of January 2024

How do you evaluate an offer from a large tech startup or established tech company like Microsoft or Google?  The first step in evaluating your offer is to understand it!  Below, we discuss one of the components of your offer letter – how Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and RSU taxes work.

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Structure: Each RSU equates to a share of the company stock.  ex.  1 Google GSU = 1 GOOGL stock.

Value: RSU value is tied to the price of the actual traded stock price.  RSUs are a little different than stock options, and have an implicit value above $0.  As long as there is a stock price at vesting, then your RSUs have value.

Vesting: The initial RSUs grant generally vest over a few years with a 1-year cliff.  The 1-year cliff requires you to be an employee for at least a year before receiving any portion of vested stock.  At vesting RSUs are taxed.

RSU Taxes:. At the time of vesting, withholding for taxes is made.  Depending upon your overall income level, this may or may not be enough to fully cover your tax bill at tax return time.  Federally, the withholding tax rate on stock compensation starts at 22% and then converts to 37% on stock compensation above the $1 million mark.

Other general vesting requirements/rules:

  • Look at the small print – when you terminate employment, vesting stops immediately.
  • If you are considering parental leave, look to see if your RSUs stop vesting during any non-paid leaves.
  • Unlike stock options, your RSUs become actual shares at vesting and do not expire like stock options would.
  • Think the company will go gangbusters over the next few years?  Review your incentive stock option plan to understand if you may make an election to pay tax on the value of the RSUs now (Section 83(b) election).  Talk to your accountant or financial advisor, since this does come with significant risks.
  • Trading window: once your RSUs vest into stock, you will only be allowed to trade the stock at set windows through the year.  This prevents insider trading.  If you have a large set of RSUs vesting, you may decide to make a 10b5-1 trading plan for regular scheduled sales over a period of time.

Taxation: RSUs are generally taxable as ordinary income when vested.  Interested in finding out more about the taxes?  Watch our YouTube video HERE for a visual.

What are the main issues surrounding RSUs?

When you are negotiating your offer – most of the time they will have an internal analysis to support RSU and salary trade-offs.  As long as they keep within the boundaries of the model, then your ‘target compensation’ will be the same, from their view point.

So how do you feel about RSUs vs. cash salary?  Keep these things in mind when weighing your options.

Cash flow impact: Withholding RSU taxes are usually paid through a portion of RSUs sold at vesting.  These taxes paid are generally displayed on your W-2 as part of your total tax withheld.

Investment strategy: If you receive a large grant of RSUs, you will have many risks.  Risk of termination before vesting, risk of market volatility in stock price, and asset concentration are a few.  You will also want to decide if you will be keeping the stock once vested, or if you prefer to sell the stock.

Evaluating many offers:  Evaluating RSUs and stock options 1 to 1 is generally not appropriate. Employees will generally receive fewer RSUs than stock options since RSUs do not depend on company performance to the same degree. Evaluate your options with your accountant or financial advisor.

Do you feel prepared to accept or negotiate your offer now?  If you are interested in further guidance, reach out to me for a quick start project on transitioning jobs.

PS – If you decided to take an offer at a larger tech firm and are considering a financial plan to start out fresh, reach out to us!

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The above discussion is for informational purposes only. Recommendations are of a general nature, not based on knowledge of any individual’s specific needs or circumstances, and there is no intent to provide individual investment advisory, supervisory or management services.

If you live in a state with it’s own form of state AMT, this further complicates the matter. AMT calculations can be difficult and you may need professional help, such as that of an accountant, tax attorney, or someone experienced in complex tax returns.

Corporate to Start-up: Benefit Package Differences

Originally posted on GeekWire.com.

Seattle is quickly advancing as a tech hub. Large satellite offices and tons of startup options invigorate many employees to make the jump to smaller tech companies. I think the flow of talent is wonderful when it ignites a passion to fulfill your dreams. Feel the fear and do it anyways!

Everyone should be able to follow their dreams with as few obstacles as possible. One major difference between big tech company life and the start-up world is employee benefits.

Figuring out what’s best can take time and effort.

  • What are my health plan options?  Should I sign up for a HSA?
  • Do I need additional insurance beyond what my employer provided?
  • What should I do with my RSUs as they vest?
  • What are my 401(k) options and how much should I save?
  • Am I going to owe the IRS taxes at year end?

I started working with a client who moved from Microsoft to a start-up.  We found there were quite a few differences in what was available under each plan. Microsoft offered disability and life insurance, a 401(k) with diversified stock choices at low expense ratios, and professional assistance perks.  At the new start-up, he encountered implications with the benefits package: minimal health plan, no life and disability insurance, no 401(k), and limited perks beyond snacks at work. Having the right advisor help you determine what to do next can make a huge difference.

Minimizing personal risks

  • Do you have an emergency fund? Small start-ups are less stable and have a higher chance of failure. Reassess your emergency savings and determine whether you need additional funds. Depending on your situation, this may include six months’ worth of expenses, or more. If you’re in a larger start-up, consider  additional savings in case you believe it makes financial sense to buy out your vested stock options.
  • 3,000 Americans become disabled every hour (1). Do not underestimate the crippling effect this can have on your family. If your employer provides disability insurance, generally this amounts to around 60% of your salary up to a cap (commissions not included). When your employer provides this group benefit and pays the premium, the benefit is taxable to you. Can your family survive on the provided benefit? Are there parameters that could change your ability to use it? Not all benefits are the same, and the applicable coverage varies widely. Individual disability insurance can fill the gap between your employer’s plan and what you need to survive financially.
  • Employer plans may include life insurance. Generally I’ve seen this range from $50,000 to a multiple of your salary. The premium cost of the first $50,000 of life insurance provided through your employer plan generally is considered tax free for you. Beyond that, the premiums paid on your behalf may or may not be taxable to you under the plan.

Consult with your advisor and/or insurance broker to understand whether you need additional coverage to ensure your family’s ability to maintain financial stability if something happens to you.

Maximizing tax-deferral strategies

  • Effectively manage your retirement options. Does your employer offer a Roth 401(k) component? A Roth is not always the winning choice and depends on assumptions you believe now and hope will prove true over time. You must preemptively decide: Will your tax rate during withdrawal years be higher? How much money will you need for annual expenses in retirement? Do you need the additional tax-deferral now? How large will your estate be when you pass? This will be an estimate your advisor can assist you with. Carefully weigh your options and check back in periodically since the best strategy will most likely shift over time.
  • Sock away money in employer provided accounts beyond retirement. Most start-ups are focused on high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) with health savings account (HSA) options. All HSA contributions, up to the permitted max, are tax-deductible, and earnings accumulate tax free. If your current salary and bonuses allow you to budget savings and maximize your retirement options, consider setting up your HSA account and pay for medical expenses with your after-tax cash on hand. Your investment philosophy will help you determine what is best.
  • Some companies provide further benefits for families through dependent care flexible savings accounts. These accounts allow a max pre-tax contribution annually for current year use. Covered expenses include qualified care for children, parents, or other dependents. Although unused contributions are lost at year end, this can be a great benefit for those in a higher tax bracket with known needs.

Accumulating wealth

  • Negotiating your compensation package may provide a huge head start in accumulating long-term wealth at the right company. Have you negotiated for the right parameters in your agreement? Were you offered stock options but negotiated for restricted stock?
  • Stock compensation planning goes beyond the tax implications (but make sure you have an idea of what to expect). Also consider planned selling and how to hold the stock. If you have highly appreciated stock, there are multiple ways to gift this with a lower tax impact. Alternatively, what if you want to sell early? Know the secondary market available for your stock.
  • Minimize the golden handcuffs by ensuring you understand the long-term compensation structure. The initial compensation agreement sets the tone, but understanding how bonuses, stock grants, and salary work longer term will help you know where you want to be and evaluate where you are now.

Life gets tricky as you move from one company to another and you can no longer expect the same protections and benefits. Start-ups offer great personal perks, but may require you to think more about what you are doing on the financial side.

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The above discussion is for informational purposes only. Recommendations are of a general nature, not based on knowledge of any individual’s specific needs or circumstances, and there is no intent to provide individual investment advisory, supervisory or management services.
If you live in a state with it’s own form of state AMT, this further complicates the matter. AMT calculations can be difficult and you may need professional help, such as that of an accountant, tax attorney, or someone experienced in complex tax returns.

1Disability Divide: The Council for Disability Awareness, March 2010.

Hustlin’ as an Entrepreneur

When you decide to make the jump from employee to entrepreneur, it is important to consider how this transition will affect your financial life.

How will you support yourself?  Do you have a family to support?  How long will you be able to sustain before you need further income?

Three ways to prepare for the entrepreneurial rollercoaster of cash flow

Emergency Savings:  This requires a bit more foresight and commitment.  When leaving an employer to launch a start-up, it often takes over a year to reach sustainable cash flow and salary to a founder.  The best way to prepare is to keep a separate emergency savings account with at least a year of savings for basic budgeted needs + a small fund for unlikely incidents (i.e. Car breaks down, roof needs update, etc.)

If you don’t have this much in savings, you may need to continue to work in some capacity to supplement your financial needs.  Time for the side hustle!

Side hustle to your business: Many founders use previous experience to consult while they build out their business model and acquire clients. This can help reduce the amount of emergency savings you need on hand, as long as you are meeting your financial needs through the consulting fees.

Side hustle is your business: Other founders flush out their business model in the evening and on weekends while maintaining full time jobs.   They set specific milestones or level of client traction before moving forward with quitting their job.

When considering these alternatives, ask yourself:

  • How much risk am I willing to take pre-revenue?
  • How much revenue do I need to support my salary?
  • What milestones can I hit working on my product part-time?
  • Am I compromising my client relationships by not being available or is my current position flexible on work hours?

Don’t forget you are leaving your company’s employee benefits behind as well.  Make sure you have a full understanding of your additional expenses and risks in starting your own business.

Good luck in your journey of entrepreneurship and let us know if we can help you with the financial side.

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The above discussion is for informational purposes only. Recommendations are of a general nature, not based on knowledge of any individual’s specific needs or circumstances, and there is no intent to provide individual investment advisory, supervisory or management services.

So you want to be an entrepreneur…

This is not the first article on dancing with the idea of doing your own thing.  It certainly won’t be the last one.  This post is about the hard questions, the plan, and the execution you need to commit to before taking the leap.

I’ve worked for large companies and startups, consulted independently, run my own practice, and worked as a Director for a start-up investment fund.

The thread running through successful entrepreneurs is focus and understanding of who they are and how they will execute.

Below are some of the most basic thoughts around this topic that I find often overlooked in our rush to read every ‘top 10 things article’.  It’s time to take a step back, breathe in and out, and think freely for a moment.

Is the grass always greener on the other side?

Entrepreneurship offers a world of flexibility and freedom.  You can work from anywhere, choose your hours, and deliver on a passion project you’ve wanted to do for a long time.

But of course, with great power comes great responsibility…

Entrepreneurship isn’t easy.  You are in charge of everything: sales, marketing, message crafting, office management, and if you are lucky you will get to spend a few hours a day on what you are passionate about.

It’s time to be very clear with yourself on your strengths and weaknesses and be real with yourself.

  1. Assess your weaknesses and strengths
  2. Ask yourself why this is the way you are (sometimes this requires multiple whys)
  3. Determine how this may affect you in a new environment (aka, starting up)

So what does that mean for me if I decide to quit my job and start my own business?  Will I be able to put my head down and quickly reiterate to a working business model?  Will I be as quick to accomplish milestones timely?  Will I do what I said I would?

Entrepreneurship is about getting to know yourself at a very visceral level.  There is no where to hide and your actions can easily be accounted for if 6 months into your new adventure you have 0 clients, $0 revenue, and you are still holding onto your number of unique page views as proof of success.

Choosing a path to start on

Once you believe you have the heart and the foundation to be successful, begin to evaluate your ideas.  The $100 Startup: Reinventing the way you make money by Chris Guillebeau says it best.  Ask yourself:

a. How would I get paid with this idea?

b. How much would I get paid from this idea?

c. Is there a way I could get paid more than once?

I would also add, which idea are you most passionate about?

How will this business affect your personal goals?

If you are toying with a few different ideas, these questions will help you see the personal value proposition in each idea.

Be able to distill your goal into a meaningful sentence or two.  You are doing what, for who, and are fixing what major pain point for them?  

I’ve talked to far too many entrepreneurs who do not know the answer to the above question.  As a prospective client or investor, I need to be excited and curious about your business in one minute or less.  As an entrepreneur, YOU want this as well because it helps cut through the noise.  You will be able to quickly identify whether you’ve made a business connection or not.

Leading me to believe:

The first rule in starting-up should be to talk about your start-up succinctly for the situation.  I won’t harp on this – boil your value proposition down to 6 words or less.

It’s not about the idea, it’s about the execution.

I am a big believer that most ideas have already been conceived – whether in the shower, at a bar with friends, or in a brainstorming session.

Once you define your targeted business idea and why you are doing it take a moment to day dream and ask yourself:

What does success for your business look like?

Where are you sitting while working at your business?

How many people are around you?

What are you doing with your day?

How are you interacting with customers?

How do your customers feel?

What change does this business accomplish in your customers lives?

When is this success happening?  Soon?  After years of grueling hard work?

What will change from your current life as you transition to this successful business?

Think of this as the equivalent of visual imagery in sports.  If you see success in detail in your dreams, it is easier to make that 3 pt. shot off the rim of the basket.

Then, start working backwards.  How do you get to each point in your day dream?  When I first opened my business, I imagined how many clients I would work with.  How often we would interact and what that looked like.

I wanted to do meaningful work.  I imagined talking in front of small groups about taking financial charge of their lives.

How would I convert prospecting into X number of clients?

Do your homework and make a rough estimate based on factual data others in the industry relate.  If you think you can beat it, go for it!

Metrics can move as you gain more insight and data.  A business is always evolving and constantly moving forward with new product(s), marketing, etc and the metrics will change with it.  Get comfortable with uncertainty – this is what developing and growing a top business is all about. 🙂

Finally, get to work!  Set milestones and develop a weekly, monthly, quarterly plan to accomplish your goals and start crossing milestones off the list.

Last note:  Beyond market development, product development and setting pricing structure, I encourage you to think more about your client Onboarding process early.  Set world-class expectations so you don’t churn through your earliest clients with bad service or an unclear path.  Find ways to up-sell, cross-sell and develop these initial clients into raving fans of your business.

Considering leaving your current company to start your own business? Schedule a time to chat with us.

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The above discussion is for informational purposes only. Recommendations are of a general nature, not based on knowledge of any individual’s specific needs or circumstances, and there is no intent to provide individual investment advisory, supervisory or management services.

If you live in a state with it’s own form of state AMT, this further complicates the matter. AMT calculations can be difficult and you may need professional help, such as that of an accountant, tax attorney, or someone experienced in complex tax returns.

Thinking about staying home with the kids? Consider the cost trade-offs.

Taking the step to put your career on pause is not an easy one. It doesn’t matter if it is to become a stay-at-home-parent or to start your own company. Emotions and finances are the main factors in the decision of whether this makes sense for you.

I had lunch with a pregnant friend who is considering staying at home for the first few years before the kids are in full-day school. Because no change happens in a vacuum, she is also considering changing tech careers. Should she switch careers now, or should she stay at home with the kids and worry about the career switch later?

We looked for a quick calculator to think about the dollars lost and found one at the Center for American Progress website. For a 30 year old employee with a salary of $90,000, staying at home for 5 years could lead to a loss of more than $1,138,636 in lifetime income.*

This excludes stock compensation effects or a loss in disability insurance if an accident occurred during that time.

This was way more than she initially considered and it brought up some good points in our chat:

Money as quantitative

Each lost year of employment could cost a family more than three times a parent’s annual salary by:

  • missing out on current paycheck
  • missing out on wage growth
  • loss of current vesting stock options or RSUs (stock compensation)
  • missing out on retirement investments and compounding growth
  • potential loss from no disability insurance coverage
  • loss of good medical coverage and employer paid premiums

Money as qualitative

Each lost year of income could cost a family emotionally by:

  • adding financial stress in making ends meet
  • not being prepared for future hardships or expenses larger than current savings
  • extra stress on partner to maintain stable career
  • feeling financially insecure
  • missing out on hours of early children’s lives
  • providing a less stable environment to children at home
  • not feeling as satisfied outside of work without acknowledged achievements

Each family is different in the tradeoffs and concerns. Some may already have 2 years worth of emergency savings in cash with a large retirement egg. Others may still be saving toward 6 months of emergency savings while trying to save some for retirement and pay-off student loans.

The goal is to be informed and consider all sides of the situation. Do some research and find out what may be best for you. If you’d like help in the process, contact me to discuss a quick-start project to set you up for success in this big decision and life change.

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The above discussion is for informational purposes only. Recommendations are of a general nature, not based on knowledge of any individual’s specific needs or circumstances, and there is no intent to provide individual investment advisory, supervisory or management services.

*The Center for American Progress’ calculator (http://interactives.americanprogress.org/childcarecosts/) considers current lost wages, lost wage growth, and lost retirement investments with compounding growth over an individual’s lifetime.

How to negotiate your next compensation package

When deciding to leave a company and begin a new adventure, prepare for your compensation negotiation. Once you choose your new path, how do you maximize your financial outlook as well?

Many technology-based companies view attraction or retention of key employees as their #1 problem.  There is demand for talent in a limited pool of individuals. The majority of these employers rely on irregular bonuses – spot awards, ad hoc grants, and non-cash benefits – to hold on to key employees.

So how do you get the most out of your career with the company?

  1. Start with transparency – ask important questions around the health of the organization and the stock option pool.
  2. Discuss your executive compensation package to ensure you understand the implications of:
  • Long-term incentives
  • Peripheral negotiations around severance, vacation days, etc.
  • Terminology used in your vesting agreement

Remember: Negotiate for what is fair – they are offering you a job you love.

3.  Conclude with shared meaning – you both want long-term value creation.

Long-Term Incentives (LTIs)

As you head to the managing and executive level of business the ratio of LTIs to total compensation increases. Many mid- to large-companies provide current value awards (RSUs or phantom units). Some smaller tech startups will provide retroactive grants to give you in-the-money options.

Review your performance-based plan. Is there a cash component? Only equity? Consider the risk you are willing to take. Do you need more cash annually to set aside for your financial goals? Can you take the risk of asking for a heavier equity allocation? What are the tax effects?  Depending on where the company is with their cash, it may be easier to obtain additional equity compensation than salary.

Peripheral Negotiations

When you reach the maximum compensation a company is willing to give you, ask for additional protections or benefits.

Do you like to travel often? Discuss what a typical week looks like and when working from home may be allowed. Ask for additional vacation days. If they have a plan with levels of additional days per number of years worked, you may be able to ask for the highest level benefit.

Are you taking a huge risk in a department that may flop or go big? Consider asking for a short time frame of severance if you are terminated. A safety net to get back on your feet can make a huge difference mentally.  Just make sure you read the terms closely to know under which scenarios pay out will occur.

Ensure your agreement includes indemnification protection. Directors receive it, and as an executive you should too.  If applicable, think about an umbrella insurance policy and directors and officers policy.

Terminology

Make sure you understand the terminology in your vesting agreement.

When the vesting schedule accelerates

  • Acceleration based on termination – Does this mean any termination? Termination without cause? Leaving for good reason?
  • Acceleration based on a merger or acquisition (change in control single trigger) – Do you receive an additional year of credit? Or a shorter or longer time period?
  • Understand when your vesting accelerates and when it doesn’t.  This will help you evaluate the risks of your incentive compensation long term.

Golden Parachute / Tax Gross Up

Key employees may receive severance packages. If your agreement pays out three times your average compensation (over the past five years) at the end of employment, review your agreement to ensure you receive a 280G payment projection.

A 280G payment is an additional tax burden for ‘golden parachute’ severance packages.  The 280G payment projection will display potential tax due and any gross up of taxes by the company.

The gross up would include income and excise taxes due for golden parachute packages. Also, ask for a reimbursement for additional expenses in connection with an IRS audit claiming further tax due to the 280G payment and gross up. You shouldn’t be liable for a miscalculation made by the company in grossing you up for the applicable tax.

Thoughtful conversations around executive compensation can make a distinct difference over time. Planning for a successful negotiation with your new company allows you to focus on your job and know the risks and rewards applicable to you.

If you aren’t sure where to start, contact us about a quick start project to help you.

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The above discussion is for informational purposes only. Recommendations are of a general nature, not based on knowledge of any individual’s specific needs or circumstances, and there is no intent to provide individual investment advisory, supervisory or management services.