What's withheld when your AAPL RSUs vest vs. what you actually owe in Texas, with 2026 federal brackets.
Apple employees in Texas usually see 22% federal withholding on every vest, whatever their salary. For someone earning $200,000, the RSU income is actually taxed federally at 24% to 32%. On a $50,000 vest, that leaves an estimated −$3,570 once state tax and payroll taxes are counted on both sides. Many Apple employees also buy shares through the employee stock purchase plan (ESPP). ESPP shares follow different rules (qualifying vs. disqualifying dispositions). This page covers RSUs only, which are taxed as wages when they vest.
| Base salary | $25k vest | $50k vest | $100k vest |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | −$500 | −$1,000 | −$4,570 |
| $200,000 | −$1,070 | −$3,570 | −$9,400 |
| $300,000 | −$3,250 | −$6,500 | −$13,000 |
| $500,000 | −$3,250 | −$6,500 | −$13,000 |
Withheld at vest minus actually owed. Negative means you'll owe more when you file; positive means over-withholding. Single filer, no bonus, standard deduction, vest in the second half of the year, 2026 federal brackets. The gap is the same for every company at the same vest value; only the share count differs (227 AAPL shares ≈ $49,940 at an example price of $220).
Texas has no state income tax, so RSU income is only taxed federally. The whole gap is federal: on a $50,000 vest at a $200,000 salary, 22% withheld ($11,000) versus $14,570 owed, a shortfall of $3,570.
The gap depends only on your federal bracket. Once taxable income passes $105,700 (single, 2026), RSU income is taxed at 24% or more, and above $201,775 at 32%.
If you moved to Texas from a state with income tax during the vesting period, that state can still tax the part of each vest that relates to the time you worked there. California is the most common example.