GTN Mobility Tax Blog

This article was originally published in Spiceworks.

Starting in May 2024, the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s new, shorter settlement cycle kicks in—and it could leave businesses scrambling. HR, payroll, tax, and equity teams will have one fewer day to deliver shares and manage the related equity compensation tax implications. Plus, when the settlement window is shortened, it will focus more on the complexity of managing a mobile workforce. 

However, these new settlement cycles could serve as the wake-up call businesses need to jump-start much-needed technology upgrades. Why is the SEC’s rule so important for companies that offer equity compensation, and how can technology protect against tax violations, lost compensation, and burnout in this new environment? 

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has introduced a new rule that significantly impacts the settlement process for popular equity plans offered to employees, such as stock-settled Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) subject to tax withholding, and stock option/stock appreciation right exercises involving same-day sales. Effective May 28, 2024, the settlement cycle will be shortened from two business days after the transaction date (T+2) to one (T+1).