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UK EMI, CSOP, Unapproved, RSU
UK CGT 18% / 24% (2026)
NL Box 1 taxed at exercise
BADR 10% if conditions met
US & DE coming later
Home›Calculators›Tax & Legal›Stock Options & RSU Tax Calculator

Stock Options & RSU Tax Calculator
UK and Netherlands 2026

Calculate income tax, NI, CGT, and net gain on EMI options, unapproved options, CSOP, and RSUs. Includes Dutch Box 1 treatment at exercise and vest.

Country
📈
Stock Options & RSU Tax — UK
Instrument & Shares
type
EMI options are tax-advantaged. No income tax at exercise if granted at market value and held qualifying.
#
£
The price at which you can buy shares. For RSUs this is usually 0.
£
Price at which you sell (or current FMV if not yet sold).
£
Fair market value at the moment of exercise (options) or vest (RSUs). If selling immediately, same as sale price.
UK Tax Settings
rate
Used to calculate income tax on the spread at exercise or vest.
£
2026 CGT annual allowance is £3,000. Reduces CGT taxable gain.
BADR Eligible?
EMI only: shares held >2 years post-grant & employee for 2+ years
Netherlands Tax Settings
€
Used to determine whether option/RSU income falls in the 35,75% or 49,50% bracket. Enter salary + other income before this benefit.
Option Granted Before Dutch Tax Residency?
May affect the taxable portion — specialist advice recommended
⚠️ You indicated this option was granted before Dutch tax residency. Only the portion of gain accruing during Dutch residency is fully taxable in the Netherlands. This calculator does not model the apportionment — consult a specialist for this scenario.
⚠️ CSOP: the approved income-tax-free treatment applies up to £60,000 of options. If your total CSOP options exceed this, the excess is taxed as unapproved. This calculator models the full amount as approved CSOP.
Net Gain After All Tax
—
after income tax, NI, and CGT
—
effective tax rate on total gain
Total Gross Gain
—
sale proceeds minus exercise cost
Income Tax at Exercise / Vest
—
on spread
NI at Exercise / Vest
—
employee NI
CGT at Sale
—
on gain above exercise / vest
Total Tax
—
all taxes combined
Net Gain
—
after all tax
Step-by-Step Tax Breakdown
3 Scenarios — Net Gain After Tax
Conservative (−20% price)
—
net after all tax
Your Scenario
—
current inputs
Optimistic (+30% price)
—
net after all tax
Gain Breakdown — Gross vs Tax vs Net
Net gain
Income tax + NI
CGT
Vesting Schedule (4-Year, Annual Cliff)
YearShares VestingGross Gain Income TaxCGTNet Gain
Important: This is a simplified estimate for illustrative purposes. It does not account for employer NI (PAYE settlement), share scheme reporting obligations, HMRC valuations, AMV agreements, or individual circumstances. Always verify with a qualified tax adviser before exercising options or selling shares.
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📈 UK Scheme Summary

EMI: No income tax at exercise if granted at AMV. CGT on gain from exercise to sale. BADR at 10% if qualifying.
Unapproved: Income tax + NI on spread at exercise. CGT on gain from exercise price to sale price.
CSOP: No income tax at exercise (approved options up to £60,000). CGT on full gain from grant to sale.
RSU: Income tax + NI on full FMV at vest. CGT on gain from vest price to sale price.

🇳🇱 NL Treatment

Options: Box 1 income tax on spread (FMV minus exercise price) at the moment of exercise.
RSUs: Box 1 income tax on FMV at vest. Subsequent gain typically Box 3 or exempt.
Pre-residency grants: Only the Dutch-residency portion is fully taxable. Specialist advice needed.

Related Calculators

Capital Gains Tax→ Salary After Tax Global→ Inheritance Tax→

How Stock Option and RSU Tax Works

The key principle across all schemes is that tax is triggered at a specific event — either when you receive the shares (vest, for RSUs) or when you choose to buy them (exercise, for options). A second tax event may occur when you sell the shares, depending on the scheme type.

UK Scheme Comparison

SchemeIncome Tax at ExerciseNI at ExerciseCGT at SaleBADR Eligible
EMINone (if at AMV)NoneYes — 18%/24% or 10% BADRYes
CSOPNone (approved, up to £60k)NoneYes — on full gain from grantNo
UnapprovedYes — at marginal rateYes — employee NIYes — on gain above exerciseNo
RSUYes — on full FMV at vestYes — employee NIYes — on gain above vest priceNo

UK CGT Rates 2026

Capital gains on shares are taxed at 18% for basic rate taxpayers and 24% for higher and additional rate taxpayers (2024 Autumn Budget rates). Business Asset Disposal Relief reduces this to 10% on qualifying gains for EMI holders who meet the conditions.

Netherlands Box 1 Treatment

In the Netherlands, stock options are taxed as employment income (Box 1) at the moment of exercise. The taxable amount is the spread — the difference between the fair market value at exercise and the exercise price. For RSUs, the taxable event is vest, and the FMV at vest is treated as employment income. Any subsequent gain after exercise or vest may fall into Box 3 depending on whether the shares are listed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between EMI and unapproved options?+
EMI (Enterprise Management Incentive) options are HMRC-approved and tax-advantaged. If granted at actual market value, there is no income tax or NI at exercise, and the gain qualifies for CGT treatment. Unapproved options receive no such advantage — the spread at exercise is treated as employment income and taxed at your marginal income tax rate, plus employee NI. EMI eligibility depends on company size, trade type, and individual limits.
What is BADR and how does it apply to EMI options?+
Business Asset Disposal Relief (formerly Entrepreneurs' Relief) reduces CGT to 10% on qualifying gains. For EMI options, BADR can apply if you have held the shares for at least 2 years since the option grant date, you are an employee or director of the company, and the company meets qualifying conditions. The 2-year clock starts from grant, not exercise, which is a significant advantage over non-EMI routes where BADR requires 2 years of share ownership.
When is the best time to exercise options in the UK?+
For unapproved options and RSUs, the income tax event is unavoidable at exercise or vest. For EMI options, the question is mainly about CGT timing. Exercising when the share price is lower means a smaller income component for unapproved options. For EMI, holding shares post-exercise for the BADR 2-year clock means the CGT rate drops from 18%/24% to 10%. Personal tax position, company liquidity events, and whether the shares can actually be sold are all key considerations.
How are options taxed in the Netherlands?+
Dutch tax law treats the spread on stock options as Box 1 employment income at the moment of exercise. The taxable amount is the fair market value at exercise minus the exercise price, multiplied by the number of options exercised. This income is added to your other Box 1 income for the year and taxed at your marginal rate — either 35.75% up to €38.883 or 49.50% above that threshold. RSUs are treated similarly, with the FMV at vest forming the taxable income.
Does employee NI apply to all UK option schemes?+
Employee NI applies to unapproved options and RSUs because the spread or vest value is treated as employment income. EMI and CSOP options are specifically structured to avoid this charge. The employer also faces a NI charge (13.8%) on unapproved and RSU income, which some companies pass to employees or offset through a PAYE settlement agreement. This calculator models employee NI only and does not model employer NI cost.