Summary
Receiving equity in a company can meaningfully impact your net worth, but understanding how to value it or handle it can feel daunting. The Domain Money equity calculator and guide will help you figure out what type of equity you have and estimate its possible value.
Equity compensation offered to employees is non-cash pay that can come in the form of restricted stock units (RSUs) and stock options.
Equity compensation is a way for employers to attract and retain talent, this form of payment allows employees to have a direct stake in the company’s success and grants them the opportunity to share in the profits through appreciation of shares.
Whether you are working for a startup or an established public company, there are many details to consider when presented with equity compensation schemes, including how much those shares are actually worth.
This guide will provide you with insight into the various types of equity compensation, how to calculate RSUs and stock options, the pros and cons of RSUs and stock options, and how to handle tax planning with RSUs and other forms of equity compensation.
Types of equity compensation schemes
Equity compensation can be broken down into these two main categories:
Restricted stock units (RSUs)
Stock options
These two types of equity compensation differ in terms of their vesting schedule, how employees receive shares, and tax implications. This article covers restricted stock units, if you want to learn about stock options click here.
What are Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)?
Restricted stock units (RSUs), which are distinct from stock options, are a form of equity compensation employers offer employees that require a vesting period before they are converted to common stock. Because they are not distributed up front, this form of equity compensation is said to be “restricted.” Recipients have RSUs issued to them according to a vesting plan and distribution schedule typically based on tenure milestones with the employer or performance accomplishments. It’s important to note that RSUs are grants of stock, so you don’t need to purchase them as with exercising stock options.
A guide to Restricted Stock Units
How to calculate RSUs
Though restricted stock units provide employees with a stake in their employer’s equity, their effective value only materializes upon vesting. When they vest, they are assessed and given a fair market value (FMV). To get an FMV, private companies must receive a 409A valuation via independent appraisers who examine factors such as how much a company’s assets are worth, the present value of future cash flow, and how much common stock is worth at comparable companies.
Private companies must receive a new 409A valuation each year or every time there’s a significant event such as a funding round or acquisition. (The FMV of most public company stocks can be found simply through the publicly listed share price.)
Pros of RSUs
RSUs incentivize employees to stay with a company for a longer tenure to recoup vested shares and to work hard to help the company to boost the value of their shares. Should an employee hold on to his shares until they are fully vested and the company sees its share price rise, the employee benefits by pocketing the capital gain less the value of the shares allocated for income tax and the money due in capital gain taxes.
RSUs don’t require upfront costs from employees, employees can sell them for some value even if the stock price dips below the grant price.
Employers experience minimal administration costs since there are no tangible shares to monitor and document.
Additionally, RSUs enable a company to postpone the issuance of shares until the vesting schedule is fulfilled, thereby aiding in the delay of share dilution.
Cons of RSUs
With any equity compensation, there’s no promise your particular shares will deliver on value in the long run. A cash salary guarantees your expected compensation as long as you stay employed. This is an important consideration as some companies will offer equity compensation while offering a lower salary.
Unlike stock options, RSUs don’t deliver dividends prior to vesting. That said, an employer can offer dividend equivalents that an employee can reinvest by purchasing more shares or hold in escrow to help cover withholding taxes.
Because the IRS does not consider RSUs to be tangible property, they’re not eligible for IRC 83(b) Election, which lets an employee pay tax on shares prior to vesting.
Until shares are distributed to an employee at vesting, RSUs don’t carry any voting rights.
Finally, because RSUs are restricted according to a particular distribution schedule, an employee forfeits any shares that have not vested when they leaves the company.
Things to consider when planning with RSUs
It can often be hard to decide what to do with your RSUs, particularly when selling the RSUs can result in a capital gains tax bill but it’s always worth considering diversification and tax-loss harvesting in your RSU planning.
Diversification
When you’re working full-time for a company, the majority of your income is likely arriving from your salary. When you are receiving equity compensation, another significant portion of your livelihood is tied to the performance of that company. With so much of your financial life tied to one source, it’s important to consider the importance of diversification in financial planning to avoid concentrated risk if the company under performs.
By selling your RSUs once they’ve vested and saving your capital gains or investing them in another source such as an ETF or a retirement account, you may be better able to endure periods of market volatility by not tying the performance of your financial house to limited sources. Of course, if you do work for a larger tech company, for instance, be sure that the ETF does not have a large percentage invested in your employer. Investment allocation can be difficult to manage so it’s always worth speaking to an expert.
Tax planning for RSUs
Once vested, RSUs are considered supplemental income. As such, some of the shares are withheld to cover income tax – something employers will typically handle on behalf of employees. Shares are subject to a federal withholding rate of 22% for supplemental income up to $1 million and 37% for income in excess of that (you may be on the hook for more in tax liability depending on your taxable income in a given year). After vesting, you'll own the remaining shares. You can then choose to keep (hold) them like any other company stock or sell them. Holding the shares for at least one year after they vest qualifies them for long-term capital gains tax rates, which are typically lower than short-term capital gains tax rates.
Selling your shares right away gives you cash now (liquidity), but you miss out on any future price increases.
It’s important to remember then, when your RSUs vest, you’ll owe taxes on their value. This might bump you into a higher tax bracket and limit some tax benefits, like contributing to a Roth IRA or getting certain tax credits.
How to reduce taxes for RSUs
One way to minimize taxes on RSUs hinges on selling them the shares immediately upon vesting. You’ll be on the hook for income tax but will not incur capital gains tax. That said, you will forfeit the opportunity to reap the rewards of upside growth.
To minimize taxes on RSUs, hold your shares for at least one year after your exercise date before selling them in order to qualify for long-term capital gains tax. Short-term capital gains trigger ordinary income tax. Long-term capital gains, by contrast, are taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your marital status and taxable income.
Another option is tax-loss harvesting - link to article - this can be a great way to reduce the total capital gains tax you pay. Tax-loss harvesting can be a difficult concept to speak to an expert (CTA) to see if this is right for you.
Steps to filing taxes with RSUs
Once vested, RSUs are considered income. As such, some of the shares are withheld to cover income tax. The remaining shares go to the employee, who is allowed to hold or sell them just like any other company stock. Work with a financial advisor to determine when to sell your shares and how best to reduce your tax liability.
What’s the difference between RSUs and Stock Options?
Restricted stock units are granted to employees over a set vesting schedule without the need for them to purchase shares. Once the RSUs are vested, an employee can hold or sell the shares as he sees fit.
By contrast, stock options allow an employee the “option” of purchasing shares of the company at a predetermined price. If the share prices increase, the employee can purchase shares at the strike price and sell them when the share price has increased and before the expiration date.
What companies offer RSUs?
Public companies, private companies and startups may provide equity compensation. Newer firms may want to allocate cash to other growth initiatives and thus offer equity compensation as a way to lure top talent and reduce their cash outlay. Though RSUs are particularly popular within the tech industry and companies in the FAANG gang, companies in a whole host of industries use them to compensate employees. The likes of Starbucks, Apple, Uber, Amazon, Verizon, Microsoft, IBM, Facebook, Intel and Bank of America use RSUs.