Equity-comp tax planning that doesn't cost you the next vest.
RSU sell-to-cover, ISO AMT modeling, QSBS, Section 83(b) — all coordinated with your portfolio so the tax-and-investment picture lines up.
The pains we hear from people like you.
RSU vest just hit. Your withholding wasn't enough.
Public-company supplemental withholding is often 22% federal — well below your real marginal rate. Two RSU vests later, you're staring at a $40K underpayment. We project, you fund, no April surprises.
ISO AMT is the IRS's most-misunderstood tax.
Exercise + hold creates an AMT preference item. Pre-paying AMT to unlock long-term-cap-gain treatment can be the right call — or the wrong one. Modeling the AMT crossover before exercise is non-negotiable.
Your equity is 60% of your net worth.
Holding vested RSUs is voluntary diversification risk. Selling and reinvesting is generally the right move — but coordinated with the tax picture and your IPS. We do both.
QSBS is everywhere and nowhere.
Early employees often have QSBS-eligible common shares and don't know it. Founders sometimes miss Section 1045 rolling to preserve the clock across companies. Coordination matters.
Strategies we may apply.
Every Vega Strategy Map is range-bound — your specific facts determine the actual impact. CPA + IAR review every strategy before it reaches you.
RSU sell-to-cover vs hold + diversify
Vested shares are economically equivalent to receiving cash and choosing to buy employer stock. Selling immediately + diversifying usually wins risk-adjusted, even after tax.
Learn the termISO AMT modeling
Model the spread + AMT crossover. Consider partial exercise, disqualifying disposition, or AMT-credit recovery strategy.
Learn the termQSBS qualification + Section 1045 rolling
Check eligibility, document basis, plan around the 5-year hold. Roll between QSBS companies via Section 1045 to preserve the clock if needed.
Learn the termSection 83(b) election (30-day deadline)
Lock in low taxable value at grant. Critical for founder common + restricted stock + profits interests.
Learn the term10b5-1 plans for executives
Pre-scheduled selling programs to comply with insider-trading restrictions while diversifying systematically.
Charitable giving with appreciated low-basis shares
Donate appreciated vested-RSU shares to a Donor-Advised Fund: avoid capital gains AND get FMV deduction. Often a 50%+ effective subsidy on the gift.
Learn the termFrequently asked
How much should I sell vs hold when RSUs vest?▾
Most modern wealth-planning frameworks default to selling all RSUs at vest and reinvesting in a diversified portfolio matching your IPS. The vest is the cost-basis reset; there's no tax-efficiency benefit to holding. Concentration risk in a single employer is the main thing to manage.
Should I exercise my ISOs before leaving the company?▾
Depends on the spread, your AMT exposure, the company's expected outcome, your liquidity, and your time horizon. Modeling the AMT crossover, the disqualifying-disposition path, and the post-exit valuation is essential. We do this before any exercise.
I'm pre-IPO. Should I do an 83(b)?▾
If you're a founder receiving restricted common at incorporation, yes — almost always. The window is 30 days from grant. The election starts the QSBS holding clock at grant. Missing this is one of the most expensive mistakes founders make.
Will I really pay 0% on $10M with QSBS?▾
Up to $10M (or 10× basis) of federal capital gain may be excluded for stock that meets all Section 1202 requirements held 5+ years. State treatment varies — California, for example, does not conform. We check eligibility, document basis, and coordinate the sale to maximize the exclusion.
Strategy Map for equity-heavy households. Free.
Upload your prior return + 5 quick questions. We email a one-page Tax Strategy Map. Reviewed and ratified by a licensed CPA. Free.
Create accountCPA + IAR reviewed. Range-bound. No hourly billing.