RSUs and Vesting – What No One Tells You About the Tax Impact with Willem Roux and Bastian Thurneysen
- Julia Tatje
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
The One Where the Shares Vest and the Tax Bill Follows
It looks straightforward at first. A few lines in your contract. A promise of shares over time. A sign that you are doing well.
And then one day, they vest.
The value is real. The numbers look impressive. And shortly after, something else appears - the tax.
RSUs (Restricted Stock Units) are one of the most misunderstood forms of compensation, especially when it comes to how and when they are taxed.
In this episode, Julia Tatje sits down with Willem Roux, a pharmaceutical executive, and Bastian Thurneysen, partner at Burkhardt Lawyers, to unpack what actually happens when RSUs vest and why even experienced professionals are often caught off guard.
Because the issue is not the shares themselves. It is the timing, the taxation, and the assumptions people make along the way.
In this Episode
What RSUs (Restricted Stock Units) actually are and how they differ from cash compensation
The vesting moment: when RSUs become taxable income
Why you can owe tax without receiving cash
The liquidity challenge: when the tax is due before you have sold shares
What happens when share prices move after vesting
Why RSU taxation often comes as a surprise, even at senior levels
The role of employers, and why they do not solve the full picture
Cross-border considerations: what happens if you move countries
How RSUs interact with your total income and tax rate
Why early planning changes outcomes significantly
The Bottom Line
If you receive RSUs as part of your compensation: They are taxed at vesting as income. Understanding that moment is critical.
If you assume you can deal with it later: Later often means reacting to a tax bill instead of planning for it.
If your shares fluctuate in value: You may be taxed on a value that no longer exists. That gap is where problems arise.
If you work internationally or relocate: RSU taxation can span multiple jurisdictions. Timing and structure matter.
For everyone: Equity compensation rewards performance, but without planning, it can create complexity. Clarity early on is what turns it into an advantage.
Host and Guest
Julia Tatje - Swiss tax specialist for internationals. Founder, taxum AG.
Willem Roux - Pharmaceutical executive with over 20 years of experience. Sharing a firsthand perspective on RSUs, vesting, and unexpected tax exposure.
Bastian Thurneysen - Partner at Burkhardt Lawyers. Tax expert specialising in employee participation plans and cross-border taxation.
Website: Bastian Thurneysen • burckhardt AG
E-Mail: thurneysen@burckhardtlaw.com
Listen und Connect
→ Website: https://www.taxum.ch/
→ LinkedIn: Julia Tatje - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-tatje/
→ Blog "Tax and the City": https://www.taxum.ch/blog
→ Podcast "Tax and the City": https://youtube.com/@tax_and_the_city
→ Contact Julia: https://www.taxum.ch/kontakt
→ Contact Bastian: thurneysen@burckhardtlaw.com
Song: InRp - Golden Hour Music provided by Vlog No Copyright Music.
Video Link: InRp - Golden Hour (Vlog No Copyright Music)
This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always consult a qualified tax professional regarding your individual situation.
