Bonuses
Why is my bonus withheld at 22%, and could I still owe tax?
Understand bonus withholding versus final tax, with a $20,000 example and a checklist for tech workers receiving variable compensation.
Read the guideUnderstand the offer beyond the headline salary.
Answers for tech workers weighing bonuses, equity and a move. Each guide explains the assumptions, links to source material and gives you a practical next step.
Equity compensation
How do I compare RSUs with salary in a tech job offer?
Compare annual vesting, liquidity and cash salary without treating a four-year stock grant as one year of spendable income.
Read the guideJob offers
Is a signing bonus better than a higher base salary?
Compare a one-time signing bonus with recurring salary, including incremental taxes, moving costs and repayment questions.
Read the guideRelocation
Is a $130,000 Austin offer better than $150,000 in NYC?
Work through a 2026 NYC-versus-Austin offer example using taxes, explicit housing budgets, bonus and RSUs instead of salary alone.
Read the guideRelocation
How should I compare San Francisco and Seattle tech offers?
A reproducible comparison of salary, annual RSUs, taxes and personal expenses for San Francisco and Seattle job offers.
Read the guideEquity compensation
Can California tax my RSUs after I move away?
Understand why changing residence may not remove California tax on equity earned there, and which records to collect before moving.
Read the guideBenefits
How do traditional 401(k) contributions change take-home pay?
Separate retirement saving from tax savings and payroll taxes when comparing tech compensation packages and monthly budgets.
Read the guideEquity compensation
Why can’t I compare startup ISOs like public-company RSUs?
Understand the differences between stock options and RSUs: exercise costs, liquidity, wage income and possible alternative minimum tax.
Read the guideWritten by Kyu-Hun Lee. Educational explanations and simplified estimates, not individualized tax advice. Sources, methods and limitations.