A restricted stock award (RSA) is a form of equity compensation used in stock compensation programs. An RSA is a grant of company stock in which the recipient’s rights in the stock are restricted until the shares vest.

How long after grant does restricted stock usually expire?

Options have a stated expiration date (often, but not always, 10 years from the date they are granted.) RSUs are taxed as ordinary income at the time they become vested and liquid.

What does vest restricted stock mean?

A restricted stock unit (RSU) is a form of compensation issued by an employer to an employee in the form of company shares. The restricted stock units are assigned a fair market value when they vest. Upon vesting, they are considered income, and a portion of the shares is withheld to pay income taxes.

How does a restricted stock award ( RSA ) work?

Restricted stock awards (RSAs) grant stock to a recipient on a vesting schedule. Learn how RSAs work and how they differ from restricted stock units (RSUs). Loading Home Buying Calculators How Much House Can I Afford?

When do shares of restricted stock units vest?

RSU shares are not issued to the recipient until they vest. When a company grants RSUs, they are promising to issue those shares at a later date based on the vesting schedule. RSUs can have multiple vesting conditions.

When is a grant of restricted stock or RSUs taxed?

When and how is a grant of restricted stock or RSUs taxed? Year from grant date Stock price at vesting Ordinary income One: 1,000 shares vest $20 $20,000 Two: 1,000 shares vest $25 $25,000 Three: 1,000 shares vest $30 $30,000 Four: 1,000 shares vest $33 $33,000

When do you forfeit your restricted stock unit ( RSU )?

RSUs don’t have voting rights until actual shares get issued to an employee at vesting. If an employee leaves before the conclusion of their vesting schedule, they forfeit the remaining shares to the company. For instance, if John’s vesting schedule consists of 5,000 RSUs over two years and he resigns after 12 months, he forfeits 2,500 RSUs.