Both restricted stock awards (RSA) and restricted stock units (RSU) are grants of stock offered to employees. A restricted stock unit (RSU) is an award of shares of stock offered as compensation that comes with conditions (usually a vesting period) before they are transferred to the individual. There's not a tax liability when you receive the award, but there is when the RSU vests and you receive the stock shares.
A RSA is a type of compensation that grants the individual stock with restrictions. The award is generally issued to early employees of a company and gives them the right to purchase shares at FMV, at a discount or at no cost on the grant date. The individual owns the shares on the date they accept the grant and satisfies the requirements. RSAs are eligible for a 83 (b) election and are subject to tax at grant date.
For more information, refer to the TurboTax Help articles What's the difference between restricted stock and a restricted stock unit (RSU)? (in the article RSA is called restricted stock) and How to Report RSUs or Stock Grants on Your Tax Return.
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