Founder & Equity Compensation Tool Builder at EquityTax
Mike Navarro is a software engineer who builds equity compensation tools. After nearly triggering a ~$60K AMT bill during his own ISO exercise at a startup, he built EquityTax to help employees avoid the same mistake. All tax content is reviewed against current IRS publications.
Illinois taxes all income at a single flat 4.95% rate, including RSU vesting, ISO gains, and capital gains. Here's how the flat rate hits your equity comp, why there's no bracket gap, and what to plan for.
Massachusetts taxes most income at a flat 5%, plus a 4% Fair Share surtax above $1,083,150 — a 9% top rate. Here's how that hits RSU vesting, ISO gains, and capital gains, and how a big equity event can cross the surtax line.
A complete guide to ESPP taxes — the discount taxed as ordinary income, the capital gain at sale, qualifying vs. disqualifying dispositions, and the broker basis trap that double-taxes the unwary.
Your RSU income hides inside W-2 Box 1 as wages, not on a separate line. Here's a box-by-box walkthrough of where vesting income, withholding, and the gap you'll owe at tax time actually show up.
Double-trigger RSUs are taxed as ordinary income at the liquidity event, not at vest. Here's why 22% withholding rarely covers the bill, with worked examples and a financing plan.
Bunching an ISO exercise or a big share sale into one year stacks your income into the top bracket and past the AMT break-even. Here's how to optimize equity taxes across multiple years by flattening income instead.
Oregon's income tax tops out at 9.9%, and that top rate begins at just $125,000. Its optional 8% supplemental withholding under-withholds RSU income, so equity earners owe Oregon at filing. Here's how the brackets and the gap work.
RSU sell to cover withholds at the IRS 22% supplemental rate, but most tech employees owe 32-37%+ federally. Here's how to calculate the shortfall before April.
A decision-stage map of every form your equity comp touches: the W-2 that already carries vest and exercise income, Form 8949 and Schedule D for sales, and Form 3922 and 6251 for ESPP and ISO — plus the basis fix that stops double taxation.
How tender offer proceeds are taxed: capital gains on long-held shares, ordinary income above your 409A price, plus FICA and AMT traps for ISO, NSO, and RSU sellers.
Four quiet leaks — under-withholding, the broker basis trap, bunched income, and unplanned AMT — drain thousands a year from equity-comp holders who never see them coming. Here's how much each costs, and how to plug them.
AMT is driven by the ISO bargain element, so the way to avoid triggering it is to control that number — exercise to your break-even, spread exercises across years, and time disqualifying sales. Here are the levers in dollars.
QSBS exclusion rules under §1202 can wipe out federal tax on up to $10M (now $15M) of startup-stock gain after a 5-year hold. See the eligibility tests, the cap, and the 2025 OBBBA changes.
New Jersey's Gross Income Tax runs from 1.4% to 10.75% across eight brackets. Here's where equity-comp households actually land, how RSU vesting and ISO gains are taxed, and why NJ's lack of a flat supplemental rate matters for withholding.
Relocating doesn't reset the tax clock on your equity. Your RSUs and options are sourced by where you worked during the vesting period, so your old state can still tax a share long after you leave. Here's how multi-state allocation works.
The main ESPP tax form is 3922, but you report the sale on Form 8949 and Schedule D while the discount appears as wages on your W-2. See which forms you get and the cost-basis trap.
An ESPP tax calculator estimates two layers of tax: ordinary income on the purchase discount and capital gains at sale. Model qualifying vs. disqualifying dispositions in dollars.
ESPP tax examples worked in dollars: the 15% discount as ordinary income, the qualifying vs. disqualifying split, the broker basis trap, and the W-2 reporting — all on one set of shares.
New york qsbs exclusion: §1202 zeroes your federal tax, and because New York conforms, the same gain is $0 at the state and city level too — unlike California. See the numbers.
Washington has no state income tax on RSU vests, but a 7% capital gains tax on long-term sale gains over $270,000 — see the federal gap for your bracket.
Free Washington ISO AMT calculator: find your AMT-free exercise limit and the federal AMT bill on a full ISO exercise. Washington has no income tax — run your numbers in 60 seconds.
This Virginia RSU tax calculator shows the gap between 22% federal withholding and your real bracket, plus VA's 5.75% rate. See the gap for your bracket.
Texas RSU tax calculator for 2025: no state income tax at vest, 22% federal supplemental, no TX capital gains. Run your numbers in 60 seconds.
Texas iso amt calculator: model your ISO exercise with zero state tax. See AMT-free share limits and worked examples — run your numbers in 60 seconds.
Pennsylvania RSU tax calculator: federal 22% supplemental vs PA flat 3.07%, three worked vests, and the dollar shortfall default withholding leaves you.
Oregon rsu tax calculator: see the gap between the 22% federal supplemental withholding on your vest and what you actually owe with Oregon's 9.9% top rate. Run your numbers in 60 seconds.
New York RSU tax calculator: 22% federal vs NY's 11.7% supplemental and 10.9% top rate, three worked vests — see the gap for your bracket.
New York ISO AMT calculator: federal 26%/28% AMT plus NY 10.9% top rate (NYC adds 3.876%). See worked examples — find your AMT-free limit in 60s.
New Jersey RSU tax calculator: federal 22% supplemental vs NJ brackets up to 10.75% over $1M — three worked vests and the dollar shortfall.
North Carolina RSU tax calculator with three worked vesting examples — see the federal-plus-4.5% NC liability, the supplemental-withholding gap, and the dollar shortfall at filing.
Massachusetts RSU tax calculator: federal 22% supplemental vs MA flat 5% (plus the 4% Fair Share surtax above $1M), three worked vests, and the dollar shortfall.
Illinois RSU tax calculator with three worked vesting examples — see the federal-plus-4.95% Illinois liability, the supplemental-withholding gap, and the dollar shortfall at filing.
Georgia RSU tax calculator with three worked vesting examples — see the federal-plus-5.39% Georgia liability, the supplemental-withholding gap, and the dollar shortfall at filing.
Florida RSU tax calculator for 2025: no state income tax at vest, 22% federal supplemental, no FL capital gains. See the federal gap for your bracket.
Colorado RSU tax calculator with three worked vesting examples — see the federal-plus-4.4% Colorado liability, the supplemental-withholding gap, and the dollar shortfall at filing.
California taxes RSU income at a top marginal rate of 13.3% and withholds at just 10.23% — see the gap for your bracket and run your numbers in 60 seconds.
California QSBS exclusion explained: §1202 wipes out federal tax on up to $10M of gain, but CA gives you $0 state relief. See your CA tax bill in 60 seconds.
California ISO AMT calculator for 2025: see your AMT-free exercise limit, the trap when you exercise too many shares, and worked numbers for three startup grants.
The best RSU tax calculators and equity comp tools in 2026, compared honestly by price, what they calculate, equity types, state coverage, and signup.
How Google RSUs (GSUs) work — the 1-year cliff, monthly vesting, refresh grants, sell-to-cover defaults, and tax strategies for managing bracket creep.
Everything Amazon employees need to know about RSU vesting — the back-loaded 5/15/40/40 schedule, tax implications of large Year 3-4 vests, and strategies to avoid surprises.
RSUs are a promise to deliver shares at vest. Restricted stock is actual shares granted immediately (subject to forfeiture). The key difference: restricted stock is eligible for the 83(b) election, which can save tens of thousands in taxes. RSUs are not.
A comprehensive overview of all equity compensation types --- stock options (ISOs and NSOs), RSUs, restricted stock, phantom equity, SARs, and profits interests. Covers how each is taxed, when companies use them, and which you are most likely to receive at each company stage.
A complete comparison of RSUs and Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs) covering how each works, tax treatment for qualifying vs disqualifying dispositions, the 15% ESPP discount, lookback provisions, and strategies for maximizing both.
How RSUs and Incentive Stock Options differ in tax treatment, risk profile, exercise requirements, and which is better depending on your company stage and financial situation.
A comprehensive comparison of RSUs and stock options covering how each works, risk profiles in up/flat/down markets, tax timing, exercise costs, and which is more common at different company stages.
A detailed comparison of Incentive Stock Options (ISOs) and Non-Qualified Stock Options (NSOs) covering tax treatment at exercise and sale, AMT implications, the $100K annual limit, and holding period requirements.
A complete step-by-step walkthrough of the AMT calculation: AMTI, exemption, rates (26%/28%), and comparison to regular tax. Includes a $200K salary + $300K ISO spread worked example.
A disqualifying disposition is selling ISO shares before meeting the holding period. Learn the two requirements, tax consequences, and when selling early is actually the better strategy.
Form 6251 is how you calculate Alternative Minimum Tax. Walk through the key lines, understand AMT adjustments and preferences, and see a worked example with ISO exercise.
A vesting schedule determines when you earn your equity. Compare time-based, milestone-based, and hybrid schedules, plus real examples from Google, Amazon, and startups.
Cliff vesting is the initial waiting period before any equity vests. Learn about the standard 1-year cliff, what happens if you leave early, and how different companies structure their cliffs.
Your strike price determines your profit when exercising stock options. Learn how companies set it, the role of 409A valuations, what happens when options go underwater, and the tax implications.
The AMT is a parallel tax system that ensures high earners pay a minimum level of tax. Learn how it works, current exemption amounts, and why ISO exercises are the #1 trigger for tech employees.
A complete guide to RSUs — from grant to vest to sale. Understand the lifecycle, tax treatment, sell-to-cover mechanics, and how RSUs differ at public vs private companies.
Compare the tax impact of exercising ISOs vs NSOs with our free stock options tax calculator. See how exercise timing, holding periods, and AMT affect your bottom line.
Free equity compensation calculators for ISOs, RSUs, 83(b) elections, and IPO lock-up planning. Find your AMT-free limit, RSU withholding shortfall, and optimal exercise strategy.
During a 180-day IPO lock-up, you can't sell shares but may still owe taxes. Learn about the liquidity gap, 5 financing options, and how to plan ahead.
RSUs are taxed twice: as ordinary income when they vest, and as capital gains when you sell. Learn exactly how each event is taxed and how to minimize your bill.
The timing of your stock option exercise can save or cost you hundreds of thousands in taxes. Compare 4 exercise timing strategies with concrete examples.
Your employer withholds 22% on RSU income, but your actual tax rate is 40-55%. Learn why the gap exists and 3 ways to avoid an April surprise.
Should you exercise stock options before your company goes public? This guide covers the tax implications of pre-IPO exercises, 83(b) elections, AMT planning, and multi-year strategies.
Use our AMT calculator to find the maximum number of ISOs you can exercise without triggering Alternative Minimum Tax. Includes 2026 exemption amounts and a step-by-step example.
Your actual RSU tax rate is much higher than the 22% your employer withholds. Learn exactly how federal, state, and FICA taxes apply to your RSU vesting.
A complete guide to 83(b) elections — what they are, how to file, the 30-day deadline, and when filing saves you tens of thousands in taxes on startup equity.
Complete guide to quarterly estimated taxes for equity compensation. Due dates, safe harbor rules, and penalty calculations for RSU, ISO, NSO, and ESPP income.
Complete guide to reporting equity compensation on your tax return. Which IRS forms report RSUs, ISOs, and 83(b) elections — W-2, 1099-B, Form 6251, Form 3921.
RSU vesting can turn your expected tax refund into a surprise bill. Learn why 22% withholding creates shortfalls and how to plan ahead.
ISO exercises can trigger AMT estimated tax requirements. Learn safe harbor rules, quarterly payment deadlines, and how to avoid the IRS underpayment penalty.
Learn when RSU vesting triggers estimated tax payment requirements, why 22% withholding creates a shortfall, and how to avoid IRS underpayment penalties.
Complete 2026 federal income tax brackets for all filing statuses with IRS-sourced tax rate schedules, standard deductions, AMT exemptions, FICA thresholds, and capital gains rates.
Washington has no income tax, but the new 7% capital gains tax applies to stock sales over $270K. Guide for Amazon, Microsoft, and tech employees with RSUs and ISOs.
Texas has no state income tax, but tech employees with RSUs and stock options still face significant federal tax obligations. Complete guide to equity tax planning in TX.
Complete New York state income tax guide. Tax brackets, NYC tax, supplemental withholding, and how NY taxes RSUs, ISOs, and stock options.
Complete California income tax guide. Tax brackets for all filing statuses, Mental Health Tax, supplemental withholding, and how CA uniquely taxes RSUs and ISOs.
Compare state income tax rates, brackets, and supplemental withholding rates for equity compensation. Detailed coverage of CA, NY, TX, and WA with a summary of all state tax categories for tech employees.
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