Also to clarify, RSUs are not exercised. They are yours when they vest and taxes are due when they vest (hence the double trigger) Early startup employees are

Also to clarify, RSUs are not exercised. They are yours when they vest and taxes are due when they vest (hence the double trigger) Early startup employees are typically granted stock options. Stock options can be exercised, and the spread is taxed. Very early stage employees typically opt to do a 83b and early exercise. In this case the tax is due right then, but because the strike price is low and spread is nominally 0, the overall cost is low as well. If you join later when your strike price is already high, it’s not financially viable for most to early exercise.