Awards of RSUs can provide tax deferral opportunity
This article organizes the original guidance on awards of rsus can provide tax deferral opportunity into clear sections for easier reading and reference.
Overview
This opening section presents the main context from the original post.
Executives and other key employees are often compensated with more than just salary, fringe benefits and bonuses. They may also be awarded stock-based compensation, such as restricted stock or stock options.
Another form becoming more common is restricted stock units (RSUs). If RSUs are part of your compensation package, be sure you understand the tax consequences—and a valuable tax deferral opportunity.
RSUs vs. restricted stock
This section keeps the original guidance focused on rsus vs. restricted stock.
RSUs are contractual rights to receive stock (or its cash value) after the award has vested. Unlike restricted stock, RSUs are not eligible for the Section 83(b) election that can allow ordinary income to be converted into capital gains.
But RSUs do offer a limited ability to defer income taxes. Unlike restricted stock, which becomes taxable immediately upon vesting, RSUs are not taxable until the employee actually receives the stock.
Tax deferral
This section keeps the original guidance focused on tax deferral.
Rather than having the stock delivered immediately upon vesting, you may be able to arrange with your employer to delay delivery. This will defer income tax and may allow you to reduce or avoid exposure to the additional 0.9% Medicare tax (because the RSUs are treated as FICA income).
However, any income deferral must satisfy the strict requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A.
Complex rules
This section keeps the original guidance focused on complex rules.
If RSUs—or other types of stock-based awards—are part of your compensation package, please contact us. The rules are complex, and careful tax planning is critical.
Related Resources
These resources connect the article topic with related Bowers service pages and approved professional reading.
FAQ
The questions below summarize the main points already covered in the article.
What is the main focus of Awards of RSUs can provide tax deferral opportunity?
The article focuses on awards of rsus can provide tax deferral opportunity and organizes the original guidance into sections for easier review.
What topics does the article cover first?
The article begins with rsus vs. restricted stock and then continues through the remaining points in the original post.
Which additional areas are included?
Additional sections include tax deferral, complex rules.
Does the post include action items or reminders?
Yes. The original post includes listed items that have been kept in list format for easier scanning.
Was the original post wording changed?
The revision keeps the author wording and updates the structure so the post is easier to read online.