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Level 2
posted Jun 4, 2019 6:06:17 PM

What is an "Imputed RSU" in box 14 of a W2?

I'm looking at W2 box 14.

It gives a figure for "RSU Gain", or Restricted Stock Option that vested, with the value included as income in box 1.  I understand this part.

It also gives an amount for "RSU Impted"  (short for imputed I assume).  What is this?

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2 Best answers
New Member
Jun 4, 2019 6:06:20 PM

On your W-2, the amount stated in Box 14 for RSUs, is also included in Box 1 Wages. So you don't have to do anything with the amount in Box 14. Imputed just means they assigned a value to your RSU, which was the FMV on the day it vested and was transferred to you.

Expert Alumni
Mar 16, 2020 10:22:04 AM

Yes, if not done properly you will get taxed twice.  Your employer correctly posted it to your

W-2.  This will reflect all of the compensation that you were entitled to.  However,  You must also report the stock sale.

 

Brokers are only required to report your "out of pocket" cost on the 1099-B when you sell some of that stock.  Since your out of pocket cost for stock acquired via RSUs is typically $0, that's what you should see on the 1099-B and, clearly, if you report a sale of that stock using the $0 cost reported by the broker you end up reporting income twice on your income tax return: once as "compensation" as reported on the W-2 and then again as "capital gain" as reported on the 1099-B!  Original Post

 

To post the adjusted cost basis go to:

  1. The income section
  2. Scroll to Investment Income
  3. Select Stocks, Mutual Funds ...
  4. Select your broker
  5. Continue and select the RSU
  6. On the data entry screen, at the bottom you should select  I'll Enter Additional Info on my own
  7. Toward the bottom in BOX 2 it has a place to Correct The Cost Basis
  8. Make the adjustment here.

 

 

 

 

7 Replies
Level 13
Jun 4, 2019 6:06:18 PM

Frankly I'm puzzled by your description.

Compensation is created by the vesting of the RSU and that compensation is included in Box 1 and typically reported to you in Box 14 as ONE item.  The only thing I can think of - strictly a guess - is that you sold some of the shares in a "same day" sale and kept some and the employer has, for whatever reason, split the vesting compensation into two parts?

I'd ask your employer to explain what this is all about.

New Member
Jun 4, 2019 6:06:20 PM

On your W-2, the amount stated in Box 14 for RSUs, is also included in Box 1 Wages. So you don't have to do anything with the amount in Box 14. Imputed just means they assigned a value to your RSU, which was the FMV on the day it vested and was transferred to you.

Level 1
Mar 13, 2020 12:14:12 PM

So has the RSU amount stated in Box 14 (Other) on my W-2 already been taxed? 

My Scenario:

I sold a number of Restricted Stocks in 2019 that I had received from my company. The dates that I acquired the RSU's range from May 2008 to February 2014 (all Long-term). The taxes that I owed after having completed my taxes via TurboTax was significantly higher than last year's which I'm confident is a result of selling the above mentioned RSU's. A coworker of mine is telling me that I may have been taxed twice? It doesn't appear that I was taxed when I sold the RSU shares since I received the total value of the shares when sold (minus commission fee). Did my employer tax the shares when they vested possibly?

If possible, please speak to this.

Thanks so much in advance!

Expert Alumni
Mar 16, 2020 10:22:04 AM

Yes, if not done properly you will get taxed twice.  Your employer correctly posted it to your

W-2.  This will reflect all of the compensation that you were entitled to.  However,  You must also report the stock sale.

 

Brokers are only required to report your "out of pocket" cost on the 1099-B when you sell some of that stock.  Since your out of pocket cost for stock acquired via RSUs is typically $0, that's what you should see on the 1099-B and, clearly, if you report a sale of that stock using the $0 cost reported by the broker you end up reporting income twice on your income tax return: once as "compensation" as reported on the W-2 and then again as "capital gain" as reported on the 1099-B!  Original Post

 

To post the adjusted cost basis go to:

  1. The income section
  2. Scroll to Investment Income
  3. Select Stocks, Mutual Funds ...
  4. Select your broker
  5. Continue and select the RSU
  6. On the data entry screen, at the bottom you should select  I'll Enter Additional Info on my own
  7. Toward the bottom in BOX 2 it has a place to Correct The Cost Basis
  8. Make the adjustment here.

 

 

 

 

New Member
Apr 4, 2023 7:23:07 AM

What category do I  select for the FSIP and RSU gain?

Expert Alumni
Apr 4, 2023 7:37:54 AM

You can just use the "Other" descriptor.  

New Member
Apr 6, 2023 7:52:28 PM

Thank you very much!!!

Enjoy your day!!

 

Laura