Vest-day checklist

What to do when your RSUs vest

One repeatable sequence for the records, withholding check, and portfolio decision that follow each vest. No account, spreadsheet template, or email required.

Updated July 29, 2026

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Use your employer and broker records as the source of truth. This page organizes the work. The linked guides explain the tax questions.

The checklist for every vest

Work from the plan record first, then the paystub, calculator, and broker documents.

1. Confirm the vest date, settlement date, and fair market value
Open the plan's vest confirmation. Record the vest date, the settlement or share transfer date, and the fair market value the plan used. Keep both dates if they differ. Do not substitute the grant date.
2. Save the vest confirmation and matching paystub
Download the confirmation and the first paystub that includes the vest. Give the files the same date or folder name so you can match them when Form W-2 and the broker's tax package arrive.
3. Record the shares and actual withholding
Write down gross shares, shares sold or withheld, and net shares delivered. From the paystub, record the actual federal income tax, state or local tax, and Social Security and Medicare (FICA) amounts tied to the event. Use those records rather than assuming a default rate was applied.
4. Rerun RSUSaver with year-to-date totals
Add this event to every RSU vest already settled this year. Then open the private RSU tax calculator and update the year-to-date vest total, other supplemental wages, and actual federal withholding when you have it. No values are placed in the link.
5. Compare projected withholding with the safe-harbor target
Read the calculator's federal safe-harbor result first and compare it with projected federal withholding. Treat the point estimate as context. Before changing Form W-4 or sending an estimated payment, use the safe-harbor and quarterly-payments guide for the timing details.
6. Apply the neutral sell-or-hold framework
Keep the portfolio choice separate from the withholding check. Use the sell-or-hold worksheet to consider employer-stock concentration, the buy-it-today question, cash needs, trading windows, and realistic alternatives. It does not make a recommendation.
7. Keep the broker's supplemental statement for filing time
When the broker's tax package arrives, download the stock-plan supplement or equivalent detail along with Form 1099-B. Keep it with the vest confirmation and paystub. Use the RSU cost-basis guide when you prepare the sale.

The full RSU path

Check the withholding gap

Run the calculator again with current year-to-date information.

Plan for a shortfall

Read the safe-harbor and payment-timing guide before acting.

Work through sell or hold

Compare the decision factors without a built-in recommendation.

Prepare the cost basis

Match the broker statement with the records saved at vest.

Sources

Educational information only. Not tax, legal, accounting, or investment advice.