RSU Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay from RSU releases.
What your results mean
Your Double-Trigger RSU Tax Calculator results estimate what you may take home when your double-trigger RSUs are released during a liquidity event, such as an IPO or acquisition.
Double-trigger RSUs require two conditions to be met before shares are released: a time-based vesting schedule and a liquidity event, such as an IPO or acquisition. Unlike standard RSUs at public companies, which settle and are taxed as each vesting tranche occurs, double-trigger RSUs don't settle until both conditions are satisfied—meaning you're only taxed when the liquidity event happens, and shares are actually released to you.
Because this calculator is designed for double-trigger RSUs, taxes are not calculated at vesting. Instead, your results focus on taxes owed when your shares are released and can be sold.
Your results highlight two key outcomes:
Your estimated taxes at release.
This represents the ordinary income tax you may owe when your RSUs are released in a qualifying liquidity event.
Your estimated proceeds after all taxes.
This shows how much value you may actually keep after estimated withholding at settlement and any additional taxes due when you file.
If your estimated tax liability is high, you may see a significant portion of your RSU value withheld at settlement. Differences between withholding and your true tax obligation are reflected as taxes due (or refunded) at filing.
Example
Imagine you have 1,000 double-trigger RSUs that have already vested, and your company completes an IPO.
- Expected price per share at release: $40
- Total sale value: 1,000 × $40 = $40,000
At the liquidity event, this $40,000 is treated as taxable compensation.
- Estimated taxes withheld at settlement: Your company may withhold a portion of the proceeds to cover federal and state taxes.
- Estimated proceeds at settlement: The amount you receive after withholding.
If your final tax liability is higher than withholding, you may owe additional taxes at filing. If withholding is higher than necessary, you may receive a refund.
These results help you understand how double-trigger RSUs affect your income and taxes when liquidity occurs, not when vesting happens.
How the Double-Trigger RSU Tax Calculator works
This calculator models the taxes you may owe at an RSU release tied to a liquidity event.
Unlike traditional RSU calculators, it does not estimate taxes at vesting. Instead, it focuses on how RSUs are taxed when they are released and sold as part of an IPO, acquisition, or similar event.
Inputs used
Expected price per share at release
The assumed value of your shares at the liquidity event.
Anticipated year of release
Used to estimate applicable tax rules and income brackets.
Total number of RSUs
The total RSUs eligible for release.
Percentage to be released
Allows modeling partial or staged releases.
Expected household income
Your estimated income for the release year, excluding RSU compensation.
Filing status
Used to estimate federal tax liability.
State of residence
Determines applicable state and local taxes at release.
Calculation steps
- Identify the number of RSUs released during the liquidity event.
- Multiply by the expected release price to determine total sale value.
- Add this amount to your estimated household income for the release year.
- Apply federal, state, and local tax estimates.
- Estimate taxes withheld at settlement.
- Calculate estimated proceeds at settlement.
- Estimate any additional taxes due (or refund) at filing.
- Show estimated proceeds after all taxes.
Why use our calculator?
Built for double-trigger RSUs
Designed specifically for RSUs taxed at liquidity, not at vesting.
Exit-focused modeling
Closely mirrors how RSUs are taxed during IPOs and acquisitions.
Simple, clear estimates
Shows how much you may owe and how much you may keep.
Free to use
No account required to run calculations.
What should I do next?
Create a free Prospect account
Unlock advanced features such as multi-year modeling, scenario comparisons, and more detailed tax assumptions.
Plan for your liquidity event
Large releases can significantly increase your taxable income. Running estimates ahead of time helps avoid surprises.
Compare scenarios
Model partial vs. full releases, different release years, or different states of residence to see how outcomes change.
Keep good records
Save grant documents, release confirmations, and settlement statements for tax reporting.
What are Restricted Stock Units?
Restricted Stock Units are a form of equity compensation that convert into company shares after vesting.
With double-trigger RSUs, vesting alone does not create a taxable event. Taxes are deferred until a qualifying liquidity event occurs, and the shares are released.
How double-trigger RSU taxation works
Double-trigger RSUs generally create one primary tax event.
Tax event: Release at liquidity
When a qualifying liquidity event occurs, vested RSUs are released and treated as taxable compensation based on their fair market value at that time.
Your employer may withhold taxes at settlement, similar to how taxes are handled during an IPO or acquisition. Your final tax outcome depends on your income level and state of residence in the year of release.
Why understanding double-trigger RSUs matters
Liquidity events can create large, one-time income spikes that significantly change your tax situation. Without advance planning, this can result in higher-than-expected tax bills, insufficient withholding at settlement, and unpleasant surprises when you file your return.
Estimating outcomes ahead of time helps you set realistic expectations, understand how much of your RSU value you may actually keep, and plan for the tax impact before liquidity occurs.
Powerful tools to earn more from your equity
Frequently Asked Questions
Joining Anduril as an employee is another way to acquire equity, typically through stock options included in compensation packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are double-trigger RSUs taxed?
They are typically taxed when a qualifying liquidity event occurs, not at vesting.
Do I owe taxes if my RSUs vest but there is no IPO or acquisition?
Generally no. Vesting alone does not trigger taxes for double-trigger RSUs.
What tax rates apply at release?
Released RSUs are usually taxed as ordinary income. Rates depend on your income and location at the time of release.
Does my company automatically withhold taxes?
Most companies withhold estimated taxes at settlement, but this may not cover your full liability.
Are double-trigger RSUs similar to IPO proceeds?
Yes. From a tax perspective, they behave similarly to equity sold at an exit.
Should I sell immediately after release?
Many employees do to simplify taxes and reduce risk, but the right decision depends on your goals and risk tolerance.
How is the percentage to be released used in the calculation?
It determines how many of your vested RSUs are included in the liquidity event, allowing you to model partial or staged releases.
Why might my effective tax rate look higher than expected?
Because released RSUs are taxed as ordinary income in a single year, they can push you into higher tax brackets and increase your overall effective tax rate.
