Four Vest Dates a Year, One Concentrated Position
Meta RSUs vest four times a year, and each annual refresher adds another layer. Over a few years, a household can hold a large position in one stock, owe more tax than was withheld, and face trading windows that limit when shares can be sold.
We help Meta employees in the Seattle area and beyond decide what to keep, when to sell, and how to plan the tax year, coordinated with their CPA.
Written and reviewed by Haris Ansari, Partner, Ascent Wealth Solutions. Last reviewed October 2026.
Your Meta Package at a Glance
RSU vesting
Quarterly, commonly on February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15, typically over four years.
Refresh grants
Annual refreshers add new quarterly schedules on top of earlier grants.
Bonus
Annual bonus, typically paid in March for the prior year.
Withholding
RSU income is typically withheld at the 22% federal supplemental rate (37% above $1 million of supplemental wages).
401(k)
A company match is reported at 50% of contributions up to the IRS limit; confirm the formula in your plan.
After-tax 401(k)
After-tax contributions with in-plan Roth conversion are reported to be available (the mega backdoor Roth).
As of October 2026. Commonly reported plan features; confirm against your own grant agreements and plan documents.
4
vest dates a year for most Meta RSUs: February, May, August, and November 15. Each one is a tax event and a decision about what to keep.
2026 Update
Meta’s 2026 Reorganizations
Meta was reported to cut roles across Reality Labs, recruiting, and sales in early 2026 while increasing AI spending. With quarterly vesting, the date a role ends relative to the next vest, plus severance timing, can shift a meaningful amount of income between tax years.
Read the full paper: Laid Off, Not Retired → · Employment Change and Layoffs in Tech →
How Meta RSUs Are Taxed
Each Meta RSU is ordinary income on the day it vests, valued at that day’s price and reported on your W-2. Your cost basis is the vest-day value, so only the price change after vesting is a capital gain or loss.
- Shares are typically sold to cover withholding at each quarterly vest.
- Refreshers mean several grants can vest on the same date.
- Washington has no state income tax on vesting income.
Read the full paper: How RSUs Work and Are Taxed → · Understanding Your Stock Compensation →
RSU Underwithholding at Meta
When salary, bonus, and four vests a year push total income into the 32%, 35%, or 37% bracket, 22% withholding often falls short. The gap shows up as a balance due in April, and possibly an underpayment penalty.
- Project the year’s income after the February vest and March bonus.
- Adjust withholding or make estimated payments with your CPA.
- Set aside cash from sold shares before it gets spent or reinvested.
Read the full paper: How RSUs Work and Are Taxed →
The Mega Backdoor Roth in the Meta 401(k)
For 2026, employees can defer up to $24,500, and total 401(k) contributions can reach $72,000 when the plan accepts after-tax money. Converting after-tax dollars to Roth inside the plan can let future growth be tax-free.
- Capture the full match with regular deferrals first.
- After-tax room is roughly the total limit minus your deferrals and the match.
- Convert promptly so little taxable growth builds up.
Read the full paper: The Mega Backdoor Roth →
Trading Windows and 10b5-1 Plans
Employees with access to material nonpublic information may only trade during open windows, and some must preclear trades. A Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, adopted during an open window, can schedule future sales in advance; new plans carry a cooling-off period before the first trade.
- Know your window calendar before planning a sale around a vest date.
- A pre-set selling plan can turn diversification into a routine rather than a quarterly debate.
- Coordinate any 10b5-1 plan with Meta’s policies and your attorney.
Read the full paper: Diversifying Concentrated Company Stock →
Concentrated META Stock and Washington’s Capital Gains Tax
Holding vested shares is a decision to own more of the company that already pays your salary and bonus. Selling shares held for years can trigger federal long-term capital gains tax and Washington’s capital gains tax.
- Washington taxes long-term capital gains at 7% above an annual deduction (about $270,000, adjusted each year) and 9.9% on the portion above $1 million, under the 2025 law change.
- Recently vested shares usually carry little gain and are often the cheapest to diversify.
- Giving appreciated shares instead of cash can avoid the gain on those shares; review with your CPA.
Read the full paper: The Concentration You Bought Back → · Managing Concentrated Stock for Technology Professionals →
Leaving Meta or Facing a Layoff
Unvested RSUs generally stop vesting when employment ends, so a departure date just before a quarterly vest can be costly. Severance terms, the next vest date, and what to do with the shares you keep belong in one decision.
- Check the next quarterly vest date before giving notice.
- Review 401(k) and after-tax balances before rolling anything over.
Read the full paper: Laid Off, Not Retired →
Five Questions Before Your Next Meta Vest
- What share of our net worth is META stock, counting unvested RSUs?
- Will 22% withholding cover this year’s income?
- Is the trading window open, and do we have a selling rule we follow?
- Are we using the 401(k) match and after-tax room?
- What happens to the plan if the job changes before the next vest?
Who Leads This Work
Partner, Financial Advisor
Leads Ascent’s work with technology professionals: equity compensation, concentrated stock, and tax-aware investing. Also VP of Investments at Advisory Resource Group.
Partner, Financial Advisor
Works with tech professionals earlier in their careers, building a plan around RSUs, 401(k) choices, and a growing household.
Related Reading
Other employer guides: Microsoft · Amazon · Google · Semiconductor · Pre-IPO
Frequently Asked Questions
When do Meta RSUs vest?
Most Meta RSUs vest quarterly, commonly on February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15, over four years. Check your grant agreement for your exact schedule.
Is 22% withholding on Meta RSUs enough?
Often not for higher earners. If total income reaches the 32% bracket or above, 22% withholding can leave a balance due. Project the year early and adjust with your CPA.
Should I sell Meta RSUs when they vest?
Selling at vest adds little tax because your basis equals the vest-day price. Holding is an investment choice to concentrate in META; we help set a target and a selling plan.
What is a 10b5-1 plan?
A written plan, adopted while you have no material nonpublic information, that schedules future sales in advance. It can allow sales outside open windows, subject to a cooling-off period and company policy.
Do I pay Washington capital gains tax on Meta RSUs?
Not at vest: vesting income is wage income, and Washington has no state income tax. The state capital gains tax can apply when you sell shares held more than a year at a gain above the annual deduction.
What happens to unvested RSUs if I leave Meta?
They generally stop vesting when employment ends. Check the next quarterly vest date and your grant agreement before setting a departure date.
Ascent Wealth Solutions is not affiliated with or endorsed by Meta Platforms. Plan features described here are based on publicly available information as of the review date and can change; refer to your company’s plan documents. Ascent does not provide tax or legal advice; consult your CPA or attorney about your situation. Examples are for illustration only.