Investing
RSU / Equity Compensation Calculator
Model RSU vesting value, estimated taxes, and after-tax equity outcomes across a multi-year grant.
Live ticker autofill
Pull current price and dividend yield into the model from the cached market-data layer.
Projection outlook
Follow how the balance builds over time as returns and new contributions compound together.
The path starts near $14,400 and ends around $62,994 by year 4.
Scenario comparison
Use the spread between scenarios to see how sensitive this outcome is to the assumptions you change first.
Optimistic currently leads conservative by about $14,791, which shows the approximate range across the modeled cases.
What changes the result most
Base
Sell at vest at a 41.30% combined withholding estimate
$36,978
Optimistic
Stronger share-price path
$44,373
Conservative
Lower share-price path
$29,582
Accessibility summary: Using a 32% federal rate plus a simplified 9.30% CA state estimate, gross vesting value could reach about $62,994. Base: $36,978 (Sell at vest at a 41.30% combined withholding estimate) | Optimistic: $44,373 (Stronger share-price path) | Conservative: $29,582 (Lower share-price path)
Results
Your grant could deliver about $36,978 after withholding over 4 years.
Using a 32% federal rate plus a simplified 9.30% CA state estimate, gross vesting value could reach about $62,994.
After-tax value
$36,978
Gross vested value
$62,994
Estimated withholding
$26,017
Annual vesting shares
300.00
How to use this output
Start with the main result at the top. Then review the key numbers, look at how the chart changes over time, and compare the Base, Optimistic, and Conservative scenarios before making a decision.
Saved scenarios
Save multiple scenarios to compare optimistic, conservative, and custom planning paths later.
What this tool does
- Projects gross vested value, estimated withholding, and after-tax results over the life of an equity grant.
- Lets you compare selling at vest versus holding the net shares after withholding.
- Supports optional live ticker autofill for the current share price.
Example scenario
A worker with a 1,200-share grant vesting over four years can estimate gross value, taxes withheld, and after-tax proceeds under a range of share-price assumptions.
Key assumptions
- The grant is assumed to vest evenly each year.
- Federal withholding plus a simplified flat U.S. state-tax rate are modeled at each vest rather than a full tax return calculation.
- The share-price growth assumption is smoothed and does not capture volatility around vest dates.
How the math works
Open to review the formulas and planning logic behind this tool.
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How the math works
Open to review the formulas and planning logic behind this tool.
- 1.The model divides the grant shares evenly across the vesting schedule and applies the current share price with annual growth.
- 2.Each vesting event estimates withholding from your federal rate plus the U.S. state you select.
- 3.If you choose to hold the net shares, the model tracks their cumulative value as the price changes over time.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting that withholding may differ from your final effective tax outcome.
- Treating the grant as guaranteed wealth before considering concentration risk and vesting conditions.
- Ignoring the difference between gross vested value, withholding, and the current value of any held net shares.
Best next steps
Once you have a base result, open one related calculator and one guide so you can test the same decision from another angle before acting on it.
FAQ
Does this work only for RSUs?
It is best suited for RSU-style grants or simple equity compensation plans that vest on a fixed schedule.
What does sell at vest mean?
It assumes each vested tranche is sold immediately after tax withholding instead of continuing to be held as stock.
Are taxes here exact?
No. The model uses a flat withholding estimate so you can plan directionally without a full tax engine.
Why do I need to select a state?
The model is currently focused on U.S. planning. Selecting a U.S. state lets WealthyNest add a simplified state-tax assumption to the withholding estimate.
Can I use live market data for the current share price?
Yes. The model supports optional ticker autofill for the starting share price when market data is configured.
Why might holding net shares be risky?
Holding increases concentration in one company and exposes more of your net worth to a single stock.
Does this include vest cliffs or monthly vesting?
No. The current version assumes even annual vesting for clarity and speed.
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