> taxed when it becomes the full, unrestricted property of the employee I guess these agreements mean that the property isn't full unrestricted property of the

> taxed when it becomes the full, unrestricted property of the employee I guess these agreements mean that the property isn't full unrestricted property of the employee... and therefore income tax isn't payable when they vest. The tax isn't avoided - it would just be paid when you sell the shares instead - which for most people would be a worse deal because you'll probably sell them at a higher price than the vest price.