GOLDEN HANDCUFFS // FYI 2026.RSU
LOCALIZED JURISDICTION STRIPE-PRIVATE • $42 Colorado (CO)

Stripe RSU Tax in Colorado (2026)

Localized tax model for Stripe employees residing in Colorado. Evaluates statutory brokerage withholding (4.40% state + 22% federal), true marginal liabilities, and safe-harbor quarterly payments.

Preset Loaded: Stripe (STRIPE-PRIVATE) • Double-trigger RSUs or single-trigger liquidity event shares with quarterly vesting
Brokerage: Carta / Morgan Stanley at Work
Vest & Comp Parameters2026.1 PROTOCOL
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Tax Filing Status
IRC § 3402(g) GAPEstimated April Tax Shortfall
$14,106

Your employer's brokerage will automatically sell shares at flat statutory rates (28.69% combined), leaving a $14,106 unpaid tax gap when your W-2 is filed in April.

Incremental Shares to Sell336 SHARES Liquidate manually upon vest to cover estimated federal & state gap
Net Shares Kept After Full Tax2159 / 3500 Retained value: $90,678
Total Gross Vest$147,0003500 shares @ $42/share
Brokerage Sell-to-Cover$42,1731005 shares liquidated automatically (28.69%)
True Federal Liability$46,446 Marginal 35.00% bracket on total comp $337,000
State Tax (CO)$6,468 Statutory withheld: $6,468 (4.40%)
2026 FICA Withholding$3,365 SS ($184.5k cap): $0 • Med: $3,365
Actual True Total Tax$56,278 Effective true tax rate: 38.28%
SPONSORED FIDUCIARY ADVISORYSAFE-HARBOR MATCH
Match with a Fiduciary CPA to calculate quarterly safe-harbor payments

Connect with a Denver/Boulder CPA to ensure Colorado DR 0104EP quarterly estimates prevent underpayment interest. Ensure Form 1040-ES and state vouchers protect you against IRS underpayment penalties (IRC § 6654).

Schedule 15-Min Safe Harbor Review

Colorado Supplemental Tax Regulations for Stripe RSUs

Colorado levies a flat 4.40% income tax rate on all taxable income. Employers withhold at 4.40%, meaning state withholding closely tracks true state liability.

Colorado Safe Harbor & Underpayment Penalties

Pay 100% of prior year or 70% of current year Colorado liability.

Employer Stock Plan Specifics: Carta / Morgan Stanley at Work

Stripe employees with settled RSUs or participating in internal secondary tender offers face tax withholding at 22% statutory rates. Because shares are illiquid outside tender windows, underwithholding is hazardous: you cannot easily sell additional shares later to satisfy your April IRS obligation.

When vesting at Stripe, Carta / Morgan Stanley at Work calculates automatic sell-to-cover withholding using Colorado's statutory supplemental rate of 4.40% combined with the federal supplemental rate (22% on up to $1M). Because top earners in Colorado reach marginal brackets exceeding these rates, you will face an incremental shortfall on April 15.

Localized CPA & Advisory Referral

Advisor Guidance: Connect with a Denver/Boulder CPA to ensure Colorado DR 0104EP quarterly estimates prevent underpayment interest.

Other States for Stripe (STRIPE-PRIVATE)