Good post, but...."finding a way to split the tax liability on the sale of stock over multiple years is the way to go. "
So this statement presupposes the defiance of logic, they wont sell immediately to reduce tax burden?
If I had a chance to sell newly unlocked shares that I was given as compensation or bought for single dollars, I would get while the getting is good! Worry about tax implications and write off strategies later. Remember, having to pay capital gains means you made money, 20% on gains vs a certain loss....... Hmmmm