Equity Compensation Planning for Tech Employees in Maryland and the DC Metro
Equity compensation is where a tech household's tax bill and its risk live. RSUs vest with only 22% withheld, ISOs can trigger the alternative minimum tax in a year you did not expect it, and a single employer's stock can quietly become half of a family's net worth. Maryland adds its own twist: capital gains are taxed as ordinary income, with a 2% surcharge above $350,000 of federal AGI since tax year 2025.
Start with the decision you are facing:
- RSUs vesting soon: sell, hold, or reinvest
- ISO and RSU tax planning for 2026: AMT, withholding, and safe harbor
- How ISOs are taxed: qualifying vs disqualifying dispositions
- When your company stock drops 25%: RSU concentration risk
Related reading: the 2026 HSA guide and after-tax 401(k) vs Roth 401(k) for the accounts most tech employers offer.
Written for engineers, product leaders, and biotech professionals in Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia by Danni Shen, CFA®, and Shuo Li, CFP®, CIMA®, ChFC®. Equity compensation planning is part of our financial planning service; if you have a vest date or exercise window coming, book a call.
Incentive Stock Options (ISOs): What Tech Employees Need to Know
Incentive stock options explained for tech employees: bargain element, qualifying vs disqualifying dispositions, a worked example, AMT, and the Maryland twist.