Executive Equity Tax Planning Checklist

For Executives with ISOs, RSUs & Incentive Equity Awards

If you receive stock options, RSUs, or other equity incentives, tax consequences can be complex — and expensive if overlooked. This practical checklist is designed to help executives reduce taxes, avoid costly mistakes, and make informed decisions around equity compensation.

Who This Checklist is For

This resource is designed for professionals and executives seeking thoughtful, CPA-led tax planning related to equity compensation, stock options, and incentive awards in California.

Corporate executives and senior leaders
Professionals receiving ISOs, NSOs, RSUs, or performance-based equity
Executives with California residency or multi-state exposure
Individuals approaching liquidity events, vesting milestones, or role transitions

If equity compensation is a meaningful part of your compensation, this checklist is for you.

What the Checklist Covers

Inside the Executive Equity Tax Planning Checklist, we cover:

Key differences between ISOs, NSOs, and RSUs
When equity triggers ordinary income vs capital gains
Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) exposure for ISO holders
California-specific equity tax considerations
Timing strategies around vesting, exercise, and sale
Coordinating equity decisions with:
- Cash flow planning
- Retirement planning
- Charitable strategies
Common mistakes executives make — and how to avoid them

This checklist is designed to support informed conversations — not generic advice.

Why This Matters

Equity compensation decisions are often irreversible.

Without proactive planning, executives may:

Trigger unnecessary ordinary income tax
Miss AMT planning opportunities
Pay excess California state tax
Create liquidity problems
Undermine long-term financial goals

This checklist helps you identify planning gaps before they become tax problems.