What to Do With Vested Stock: Sell, Hold, or Gift?

Vested stock is a tangible asset you fully own, no longer contingent on employment. This grants you complete control, allowing you to manage it in various ways, each with distinct financial and tax implications.

Selling Vested Stock

Selling vested stock typically involves a brokerage account or company platform, converting equity into cash at its current market value. The proceeds offer immediate liquidity for personal financial needs or further investment.

The sale of vested stock can trigger capital gains or losses, which are calculated based on the stock’s cost basis. The cost basis generally refers to the original value of the stock for tax purposes, often the fair market value on the date it vested or was acquired. If the sale price exceeds this cost basis, you realize a capital gain; if it is lower, you incur a capital loss. For certain types of equity compensation, such as Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) or Non-Qualified Stock Options (NQSOs), an ordinary income component might have been taxed at vesting or exercise, and the capital gains calculation begins from that adjusted basis.

The taxation of capital gains depends on how long you held the stock after it vested. If you sell the stock within one year of its vesting date, any profit is considered a short-term capital gain and is taxed at your ordinary income tax rate, which can range from 10% to 37% for 2025. Conversely, if you hold the stock for more than one year after vesting, any profit is classified as a long-term capital gain.

Long-term capital gains generally benefit from lower tax rates, specifically 0%, 15%, or 20%, depending on your overall taxable income. This distinction can lead to substantial tax savings.

A specific tax consideration when selling stock at a loss is the wash sale rule. This rule disallows a tax deduction for a loss on the sale of stock if you purchase substantially identical stock within 30 days before or after the sale date, creating a 61-day window. While the loss cannot be claimed, it is typically added to the cost basis of the newly acquired stock, potentially reducing capital gains on a future sale.

Holding Vested Stock

Holding vested stock means retaining ownership for potential long-term appreciation. This strategy can also provide additional financial benefits beyond simple price appreciation.

One benefit is the potential for dividend income, which companies often distribute to shareholders from their earnings. Dividends can be classified as either qualified or non-qualified, influencing their tax treatment. Qualified dividends are generally taxed at the same preferential rates as long-term capital gains, depending on your income level. Non-qualified, or ordinary, dividends are taxed at your regular income tax rates, similar to short-term capital gains.

Holding vested stock for more than one year after vesting is a strategy to qualify for the more favorable long-term capital gains tax rates when you eventually decide to sell. This holding period distinction can result in substantial tax savings compared to selling within a year, where profits are taxed at higher ordinary income rates. The extended holding period allows for the potential compounding of returns, as any unrealized gains are not immediately subject to taxation.

While holding stock can offer advantages, it also introduces considerations regarding portfolio concentration. Having a large portion of your financial wealth tied to a single company’s stock, especially that of an employer, means your financial well-being is closely linked to that company’s performance. Evaluating this concentration is part of managing your overall investment portfolio and ensuring it aligns with your financial comfort levels. Diversifying your holdings can help spread investment across various assets, which is a common approach to portfolio management.

Gifting Vested Stock

Gifting vested stock offers a way to transfer wealth to others, such as family members or charitable organizations. The process typically involves transferring the shares through a brokerage account, which can be a straightforward transaction between donor and recipient. This approach can be an effective tool for supporting individuals or causes while potentially optimizing your own financial position.

When gifting stock, specific gift tax rules apply. In 2025, individuals can gift up to $19,000 per recipient annually without incurring gift tax reporting requirements or reducing their lifetime gift tax exemption. This annual exclusion applies to each recipient, meaning you can give this amount to multiple individuals without any immediate tax implications.

The lifetime gift tax exemption for 2025 is $13.99 million per individual. Amounts gifted above the annual exclusion reduce this lifetime exemption. While exceeding the annual exclusion requires filing a gift tax return (Form 709) with the IRS, actual gift tax is only owed if your cumulative taxable gifts over your lifetime exceed this substantial exemption amount.

An aspect of gifting stock pertains to the recipient’s cost basis. Generally, the recipient assumes the donor’s original cost basis for the gifted shares. This means that when the recipient eventually sells the stock, their capital gain or loss will be calculated using the donor’s original purchase price. If the stock has appreciated significantly since the donor acquired it, the recipient will inherit that lower cost basis, potentially leading to a larger capital gain when they sell it.

Integrating Vested Stock into Your Financial Plan

Making decisions about vested stock is an integral part of a comprehensive financial plan, aligning these assets with your broader financial goals. Whether you choose to sell, hold, or gift your vested shares should be a conscious choice driven by personal objectives, such as saving for a home down payment, funding education, or preparing for retirement. Each option offers distinct pathways to utilize this valuable asset.

A consideration is portfolio diversification, aiming to prevent an over-concentration of wealth in a single company’s stock. While holding employer stock can be rewarding, integrating it into a diversified portfolio helps manage overall investment exposure. This strategic allocation involves assessing how your vested shares fit within your total asset mix and making adjustments to maintain a balanced and resilient investment strategy.

Vested stock can also play a role in estate planning, allowing you to consider how these assets will be passed on to beneficiaries. Gifting shares during your lifetime, as discussed, can be a component of this plan, potentially reducing the size of your taxable estate. For assets retained until death, beneficiaries typically receive a “stepped-up” cost basis to the stock’s market value at the time of your passing, which can reduce their future capital gains tax liability upon sale.

Given the complexities of tax implications and financial planning, consulting with financial and tax professionals is advisable. These experts can provide personalized guidance, helping you navigate the intricacies of selling, holding, or gifting vested stock. Their insights can ensure your decisions are well-informed and tailored to your unique financial situation and long-term aspirations.