RSUs, ESPP & Stock Options
“What do I need to know about taxes on my ESPP shares?”
ESPP shares often have tax treatment that depends on the purchase discount, the holding period, and what happens between the offering date, purchase date, and sale date. In many cases, the discount and any later gain can be split between ordinary income and capital gain, but the exact mix usually varies based on whether the shares are sold soon after purchase or held longer. The payroll reporting on the employee plan, the brokerage records, and the dates shown on the trade confirmations are often important in figuring out the taxable result. Going through your records with a CPA usually surfaces the answer in under an hour.
In your 60-minute session, the KGOB advisor handling it will:
- Read your exact situation and tell you, in plain English, what’s actually going on.
- Lay out your options and the trade-offs — no jargon, no judgment.
- Give you a clear next step you can act on, whether that’s with us or on your own.
“How are my ESPP shares taxed on my tax return?”
“I bought ESPP shares and I'm not sure how the taxes work?”
“Can you explain how my ESPP stock is taxed?”
“What tax rules apply to my ESPP shares?”
“My RSUs vested and my paycheck looks off, did I already pay the tax?”
“My stock options vested and my paycheck looks off, did I already pay the tax?”
This page is a prompt to start a conversation, not tax or legal advice, and states no tax-law specifics as fact. A consult session does not by itself create an ongoing engagement. We do not promise specific outcomes or savings. Kohari Gonzalez Oneyear & Brown PLLC — Charlotte, NC.
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