Equity compensation

RSUs, ESPP and options — with a cost base that won’t double-tax you

When your RSUs vest or you exercise options, the benefit is already taxed as employment income on your T4. That taxed value becomes your adjusted cost base. Miss it and the CRA sees a zero-cost sale, taxing the same dollars twice. Sched3 sets the right ACB at every vest, purchase, and exercise.

Get started freeTry the free RSU & ESPP ACB calculator

How it works

1
Record the grant events

Enter your RSU vests, ESPP purchases, and option exercises — or import them. Sched3 captures the date, quantity, and fair market value.

2
It sets ACB to the taxed benefit

The cost base of each lot is set to the value already taxed on your T4, converted from USD at the Bank of Canada rate on the vest or exercise date where needed.

3
It merges into your capital gains

Those lots pool with the rest of your holdings, so when you sell, the gain is measured against the correct cost base and flows into your Schedule 3.

Every equity-comp type, with its own rules

Sched3 models the events that change your cost base and your taxable benefit, each handled on the right date.

  • RSU vesting — ACB set to fair market value at vest
  • ESPP purchases — discount treated as a taxable benefit, full FMV as cost
  • Option exercises — employment benefit plus the exercise cost in ACB
  • USD grants converted at Bank of Canada dates
  • Vested lots pooled into your overall ACB automatically
Cross-checks against your T4

Because the benefit already appears on your T4, Sched3 uses that same value as your cost base — keeping your employment income and your capital gains consistent instead of taxing the benefit twice.

Included from the Active Investor plan

Equity-compensation tracking is part of the Active plan and merges directly into your ACB and capital-gains figures.

Free
$0

Manual entry, 1 portfolio, basic ACB & CSV export.

Investor
$49

Broker import, superficial loss detection, FX support, splits & DRIPs.

Active Investor
$129 · included

Everything, for one investor: T5008/T3 tools, crypto, equity comp, corporate actions, accountant export.

Accountant/Pro
$499 · included

Multi-client dashboard, client import links, bulk import, branded reports.

Frequently asked

What is the cost base of vested RSUs in Canada?

It is the fair market value of the shares on the vesting date — the same amount added to your T4 as a taxable employment benefit. Because you were already taxed on that value, it becomes your adjusted cost base, so only the gain above it is taxed again when you sell.

Am I really taxed twice if I get the ACB wrong?

Effectively, yes. The vest is taxed as employment income on your T4. If you then sell and report a zero cost base, the full proceeds are taxed again as a capital gain, even though part of that value was already taxed at vest. Setting the ACB to the vested value prevents the double tax.

How are US-dollar RSUs and options handled?

Each event is converted to Canadian dollars at the Bank of Canada rate on the vest, purchase, or exercise date. The subsequent sale is converted at its own date, so currency movement between the two dates is part of your capital gain. Sched3 applies the conversions automatically.

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Not tax or legal advice. Always confirm capital gains reporting with a qualified accountant. · Made with love in Canada 🇨🇦
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