Restricted stock is treated like any other issued and outstanding stock when it comes to entitlement to voting and dividend rights—the major difference is the existence of restrictions on sale or transfer until the stocks vest.

Is restricted stock considered issued?

RSU shares are not issued to the recipient until they vest. When a company grants RSUs, they are promising to issue those shares at a later date based on the vesting schedule. RSUs can have multiple vesting conditions.

Can I sell restricted stock units?

Restricted stock units (RSUs) are a form of stock-based employee compensation. RSUs are restricted during a vesting period that may last several years, during which time they cannot be sold. Unlike stock options or warrants which may expire worthless, RSUs will always have some value based on the underlying shares.

When can restricted stock be sold?

Check trading volume. If you are affiliated with the company, you are limited to the amount of restricted stock you can sell in a three-month time period. For publicly traded stocks, you cannot sell more than 1 percent of the average reported trading volume for the prior four weeks.

What is a restricted share of stock?

Restricted stock refers to unregistered shares of ownership in a corporation that are issued to corporate affiliates, such as executives and directors. Restricted stock is non-transferable and must be traded in compliance with special Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations.

When did the number of restricted stock awards decrease?

The median number of stock options (per company) granted by Fortune 1000 firms declined by 40% between 2003 and 2005, and the median number of restricted stock awards increased by nearly 41% over the same period (“Expensing Rule Drives Stock Awards,” Compliance Week, March 27, 2007).

Do you have to pay taxes on a restricted stock award?

Since taxes are due when the award is granted, you will need to use other funds to pay the tax withholding obligation. Under normal tax treatment, you do not owe taxes until the grant vests and you could potentially use some of the shares vesting to cover your tax withholding obligation.

What happens to restricted stock when it vests?

Vesting periods for Restricted Stock Awards may be time-based (a stated period from the grant date), or performance-based (often tied to achievement of corporate goals.) When a Restricted Stock Award vests, the employee receives the shares of company stock or the cash equivalent (depending on the company’s plan rules) without restriction.

Is the lapse of restricted stock a taxable event?

The lapse of the restrictions is not a taxable event if the employee makes the election. The election can be beneficial to the employee, as any appreciation in stock value between the date of the award and the date the restrictions lapse is taxed only if and when the employee disposes of the stock.