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Restricted Stock

Restricted stock, RSUs, and performance shares have become prominent forms of stock grant. Browse an overview of this section below, or explore the subtopics to the left.

In addition to the main areas about basic and advanced topics in all these types of grants, see the special subsections that are exclusively about restricted stock units and performance shares.

Test Your KnowledgeTest and improve your knowledge with our Restricted Stock & RSUs quiz and its study guide in the answer key.


Want to know more? Got a few minutes? Listen to our new podcast on restricted stock and restricted stock unit basics!

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New Tax Act And Medicare Surtax: Impact On Stock Option And Restricted Stock Strategies This is premium content

Alan B. Ungar
NEW! The American Taxpayer Relief Act and the Affordable Care Act introduced tax-rate increases you need to consider in deciding when to exercise stock options, when to sell company stock, and how to plan around income from restricted stock vesting. This article explains the changes in tax law and suggests strategies for minimizing the new taxes.

Restricted Stock Units Made Simple (Part 1): Understanding The Core Concepts

Matt Simon
Restricted stock units (RSUs) have become the most popular alternative to stock options. While RSUs share many of the same issues as restricted stock, there are differences, and it is important to understand the basics of RSUs in their own right.

Restricted Stock Units Made Simple (Part 2): Taxation This is premium content

Matt Simon
The taxation of RSUs generally resembles that of restricted stock but carries some important differences.

Restricted Stock 101: Five Essentials Of Restricted Stock & RSUs This is premium content

Matt Simon
NEW! While restricted stock and RSUs are relatively straightforward, they have technical aspects you must understand to make the most of them. Learn the essential facts of restricted stock and RSUs, including basic concepts, vesting schedules, and tax treatment.

Restricted Stock: Tax, Financial, Estate, And Retirement Planning (Part 1) This is premium content

Richard Friedman
Understand financial planning for restricted stock and RSUs. Part 1 discusses the growing popularity of these grants, their special features, and the related tax planning.

Stockbrokers' Secrets (Part 8): What I Tell My Clients About Their Restricted Stock And Performance Shares This is premium content

W.E.B. Bantling
Many companies have turned away from stock options and begun to make outright stock grants that must vest before the shares can be issued. For employees, these grants have added a new layer of complexity to their equity compensation. This article presents six questions I get all the time from clients who have received restricted stock, restricted stock units, or performance shares.

How Tax Rate Changes Impact Your Stock Grant Strategies (Part 2): Restricted Stock This is premium content

Stanley Trotta with Robert Gordon
With tax increases in mind, now may be a good time to re-evaluate your current financial-planning strategy for equity compensation and company stock holdings to determine whether action is required before new rates apply. Part 2 looks at restricted stock and restricted stock units.

Restricted Stock: Tax, Financial, Estate, And Retirement Planning (Part 2) This is premium content

Richard Friedman
Careful planning can help you maximize the value of restricted stock and RSUs by preparing you for decisions you must make. Part 2 covers complex issues in financial, estate, and retirement planning.

Restricted Stock Versus Stock Options: Making A Rational Choice (Part 1) This is premium content

Alan B. Ungar
In a growing trend, your company may let you choose between stock options and restricted stock. Which is better for you? Learn techniques to analyze your financial situation and goals so that you can make the right choice.

Restricted Stock Versus Stock Options: Making A Rational Choice (Part 2) This is premium content

Alan B. Ungar
As noted in Part 1, many companies are developing employee-choice programs that allow you to choose between stock options and restricted stock. Part 2 provides a method of analysis to help your decision-making.

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What is restricted stock? Does it differ from restricted securities?

Don't confuse restricted securities and restricted stock. They are very different...

UPDATED FOR 2013! What are the biggest mistakes with restricted stock or RSUs that I can make on my tax return, and how can I avoid them? This is premium content

It is easy to make tax return mistakes that lead to paying more than necessary or (perhaps worse) an IRS review. This tax season in particular will be more confusing than most because of the new Form 1099-B, the new Form 8949, and the significantly revised Schedule D...

Why do many companies grant restricted stock and RSUs instead of stock options? This is premium content

The compensation philosophies of companies are continually changing under the influence of many factors, from accounting rules to...

What advantages does restricted stock give me over stock options?

Restricted stock always has some value to you even when the stock price drops below the price on the date of grant...

Form 8949 and Sch. D diagrams! How do I report a sale of restricted stock on my federal income-tax return? This is premium content

You need to complete Form 8949 and Schedule D for the year when you sold your stock and file them with your Form 1040 federal income-tax return. You do this even if...

What is the difference between restricted stock and restricted stock units (RSUs)? This is premium content

While they are siblings, they have important differences, as explained below and as shown by the chart. The traits of restricted stock units include the following...

Form 8949 and Sch. D diagrams! Do I need to report on my tax return the restricted stock I sold or surrendered to my company for the tax withholding? This is premium content

You should definitely report a sale for taxes at vesting if you received a 1099-B that shows the proceeds. The IRS will...

Form 8949 and Sch. D diagrams! When I hold restricted stock after it vests and later have capital gains on the sale, will I get any "credit" for the income tax I paid at vesting? This is premium content

The vesting and the sale are separate transactions. First the stock's value at vesting is taxed, unless...

UPDATED! What are the big changes with reporting stock sales on my tax return? Why have these changes occurred?

Major changes in the tax reporting and filing for stock sales became effective in 2012 (i.e. starting with stock sales made in 2011). The revised reporting and filing rules now apply every tax season...

UPDATED! How has IRS Form 1099-B changed for sales of stock acquired from my stock options, restricted stock, or ESPP? This is premium content

Your brokerage firm issues IRS Form 1099-B by mid-February in the year following the year of sale. Form 1099-B is an important document that you must have to complete your tax return...

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