Figma Stock Compensation Planning

Many Figma employees have a significant portion of their net worth tied up in company stock. Astra Wealth Partners specializes in navigating the complexities of equity compensation. We help reduce concentration risk while optimizing your tax strategy. In addition to equity planning, our team offers deep expertise in retirement planning, investment management, and comprehensive tax planning to support every aspect of your finances.

Following the July 31, 2025 IPO, Figma employees face a 180-day lock-up on vested shares, with some eligible to sell as early as September 5, 2025.

ISOs come with unique tax characteristics, including a dual cost basis between regular tax and Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). Properly planned ISO exercises and sales can take advantage of qualifying dispositions, creating Long Term Capital Gain treatment and avoiding Ordinary Income tax rates (disqualifying dispositions). In addition, one can trigger additional AMT after exercising ISOs even if the stock is not sold. The strategies around ISOs can be challenging to balance between diversifying out of employer equity while staying tax-efficient.

RSU grants provide you with Figma shares upon meeting a time-based vesting requirement. On vesting, you’ll owe ordinary income tax based on the share price at that time, which becomes your cost basis. For highly appreciated RSUs, coordinated planning, such as harvesting capital losses in separate accounts, can further improve your outcome.

The ESPP allows you to purchase Figma stock at a 15% discount, based on the lower price at the start or end of each six-month period. This “look-back” provision can create substantial upside. For example, if Figma’s stock price was $70 at the start of the offering period and;

• Rises to $100 by the end of the offering period, you would purchase Figma stock at $59.50 and, if sold immediately, profit $41.50 per share (68.1% profit).
• Falls to $50 by the end of the offering period, you would purchase Figma stock at $42.50 and, if sold immediately, profit $7.50 per share (17.6% profit).

Figma’s ESPP offers two six-month periods per year: May 16 – November 15 and November 16 -May 15. The initial period is shortened in 2025 due to the plan’s late start. Similar to ISOs, Figma’s ESPP has qualifying and disqualifying dispositions. Therefore, it is essential to carefully analyze your current lots, cost basis, and holding period to optimize your after-tax return.