Every guide, both series
Each guide is self-contained: plain-English explanation, worked examples with current-year figures, key takeaways and FAQs. Pick the one that matches the paperwork in front of you.
United States series
US guides RSU · ISO · NSO · ESPP
RSU Taxes Explained: The Complete Plain-English Guide
How RSUs are taxed in the US: what happens at grant, vest and sale, why withholding falls short, what your W-2 and 1099-B really s…
The $0 Cost-Basis Trap: How to Avoid Paying Tax Twice on RSUs
Brokers routinely report a $0 cost basis for RSU sales on Form 1099-B. Left uncorrected, you pay income tax and capital-gains tax …
The RSU Withholding Gap: Why You Owe Thousands at Tax Time
RSU income is withheld at a flat 22% federal rate while many recipients sit in the 32-37% brackets. Learn how to measure your pers…
Sell-to-Cover Explained: What Really Happens When Your RSUs Vest
Why fewer shares land in your account than vested, where the missing shares went, how sell-to-cover appears on your 1099-B, and ho…
RSU vs ISO vs NSO vs ESPP: Every Equity Type Explained Side by Side
The four main forms of US equity compensation compared in plain English: how each is taxed, when you pay, what can go wrong, and h…
Your First RSU Grant: A Plain-English Walkthrough
Just received your first RSU grant? Here's how to read the agreement, what vesting and cliffs mean for your money, what actually h…
The 83(b) Election: The 30-Day Decision That Can Save a Fortune
What an 83(b) election is, who can file one (restricted stock and early-exercised options — not standard RSUs), the unforgiving 30…
ISOs and the AMT: How Exercising Options Can Trigger a Tax Bill on Paper Gains
Incentive stock options promise long-term capital gains — and hide an Alternative Minimum Tax trap at exercise. How the AMT works,…
ESPPs Explained: Is Your Employee Stock Purchase Plan Free Money?
How employee stock purchase plans work: the 15% discount, the lookback feature, qualified vs disqualifying sales, the hidden 1099-…
Concentration Risk: How Much Company Stock Is Too Much?
Your salary, bonus, options and RSUs already depend on one company — should your portfolio too? A framework for deciding how much …
United Kingdom series
UK guides EMI · CSOP · SIP · SAYE
EMI Share Options: The Complete Employee's Guide (UK)
What Enterprise Management Incentive options are, why they're the UK's most tax-advantaged equity, how vesting and exercise work, …
EMI Option Tax at Exercise and Sale: Rates, Reliefs and Worked Examples
Exactly how EMI options are taxed in the UK: nothing at grant, the discount-only rule at exercise, CGT at 18-24% on sale, Business…
CSOP vs EMI: What the Scheme on Your Option Certificate Means for You
The UK's two tax-advantaged discretionary option schemes compared from the employee's side: limits, tax at exercise and sale, the …
Growth Shares and Unapproved Options: UK Equity Outside the Schemes
Not all UK equity fits EMI or CSOP. How unapproved (non-tax-advantaged) options are taxed, how growth shares and hurdles work, whe…
RSUs for UK Employees of US Companies: Tax, Payroll and the Forms In Between
How RSUs from a US parent are taxed for UK employees: income tax and NI at vest through PAYE, why nearly half the shares can disap…
SIP and SAYE: Should You Join Your Company's Share Scheme?
The UK's two all-employee schemes decoded: how Share Incentive Plans (free, partnership and matching shares) and Sharesave (SAYE) …