Taxation of RSU ( Restricted Stock Units)

Hi,

Here's a quick summary for taxation of RSU's. This is for employees who get stocks of their parent companies listed abroad as part of their salary package.

The RSU are taxed after clubbing with the salary as a perquisite and thereafter in Capital gains arising on account of holding such shares.

At the time of grant: No tax liability.

At the time of vesting: The fair market value of the share on the date of vesting is taxed at the slab rate by the employer by selling the shares to cover the tax liability. Example - If you have 10 RSU vested, your employer will sell 3 RSU to cover the tax liability and will give you 7 RSU.

At the time of sale: After vesting, the difference between fair market value on the date of vesting and selling price is taxed as capital gain as below: a) Holding period of more than 24 months, long-term capital gain, taxable at 20% with post-indexation benefit. b) If the period is lesser, it is short-term gain taxable at the slab rate.

At the time of filing ITR, you should declare the holding of foreign shares in schedule FA