Equity compensation planning for executives.

Your equity may be your largest asset — and your most concentrated risk. Skyview helps executives plan around RSUs, stock options, 10b5-1 plans, and concentrated positions to reduce tax, manage risk, and turn company stock into lasting wealth. Fee-only. Fiduciary. No products sold.

01 / Instrument

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Ordinary income at vest

RSUs become taxable income when they vest, and employers typically withhold at a flat 22% — often well below an executive's true marginal rate, creating a surprise tax bill. We plan withholding, sell-to-cover decisions, and diversification so the tax is expected, not a shock. Read our RSU withholding guide

  • Model true marginal rate vs 22% withholding
  • Estimated-tax and W-4 true-up planning
  • Sell-to-cover vs cash vs net shares
  • Diversification of vested shares
02 / Instrument

Incentive Stock Options (ISOs)

AMT-sensitive

ISOs can qualify for favorable long-term capital-gains treatment, but exercising and holding can trigger the alternative minimum tax (AMT) on the bargain element. We model the AMT crossover and the qualifying-disposition holding periods before you exercise. Read: ISOs vs NQSOs explained

  • AMT modeling before exercise
  • Qualifying vs disqualifying dispositions
  • The $100,000 annual ISO limit
  • Exercise timing across tax years
03 / Instrument

Non-Qualified Stock Options (NQSOs)

Ordinary income at exercise

NQSOs are taxed as ordinary income on the spread at exercise, with withholding and payroll tax. We help you decide between exercise-and-hold and cashless exercise, and when to start the capital-gains clock.

  • Exercise-and-hold vs cashless
  • Withholding and estimated-tax coordination
  • Starting the long-term capital-gains clock
  • Integration with RSU/ISO income
04 / Instrument

Restricted Stock & 83(b) Elections

30-day election window

For restricted stock awards, an 83(b) election within 30 days can shift taxation to grant — powerful when the value is low, risky if the shares are later forfeited. We help you weigh the trade-off before the clock runs out. Read: the 83(b) election

  • 83(b) file/skip analysis
  • The 30-day, no-extension deadline
  • Forfeiture and downside risk
  • Coordination with your CPA
Frequently asked

Common questions.

How are RSUs, ISOs, and NQSOs taxed differently?

RSUs are taxed as ordinary income when they vest. NQSOs are taxed as ordinary income on the spread when you exercise. ISOs are not taxed for regular federal tax at exercise, but the bargain element is an alternative minimum tax (AMT) preference item, and favorable capital-gains treatment applies only if holding-period rules are met.

How do I diversify a concentrated stock position without a huge tax bill?

Common approaches include systematic selling (often via a 10b5-1 plan for insiders), tax-loss harvesting and direct indexing, protective collars, exchange funds, and charitable strategies such as donor-advised funds or charitable remainder trusts. Most plans blend several tools over multiple tax years to manage the tax cost.

What is a 10b5-1 plan and do I need one?

A Rule 10b5-1 plan is an SEC-sanctioned, pre-scheduled trading plan that lets corporate insiders sell company stock on a set schedule while not in possession of material non-public information, providing an affirmative defense against insider-trading claims. Insiders who want to diversify concentrated company stock often use one.

When should I make an 83(b) election?

An 83(b) election is generally considered for restricted stock with a very low current value and strong upside potential, and it must be filed with the IRS within 30 days of grant or transfer. It can backfire if the stock is forfeited or declines, because the tax paid is not refundable.

Talk to a specialist

Turn company stock
into lasting wealth.

Bring your grant documents and vesting schedule. We'll map the tax, timing, and diversification decisions ahead of you — with no product pitch and no obligation.

Schedule Your Consultation