SpaceX IPO: what employees need to know about RSU and option taxes

RSU settlement

Employee RSUs typically settle into common stock upon the expiration of the standard post-IPO lockup period, which for SpaceX was reported to be 90 days.

Lockup

Staged lockup. Most employee shares unlocked August 6, 2026 after second-quarter results; executive officers stay locked up until after fourth-quarter results, and Elon Musk until June 12, 2027.

• SpaceX Lockup, Shotwell Sale, Trump Trades: SPCX Update

  SpaceX Stock · Sep 23, 2026

  A significant lockup expiration involving 328 million shares occurred, and COO Gwynne Shotwell filed a plan to sell $52 million in stock.

  For employees: The expiration of lockup periods allows employees to sell their vested shares on the open market, potentially increasing liquidity for their equity holdings.

• Another SpaceX ‘Unlock’ Puts the Stock to the Test

  Bloomberg · Aug 19, 2026

  The company faced a market test as another tranche of shares became eligible for trading following the initial public offering.

  For employees: Periodic share unlocks provide employees with additional windows to liquidate their equity, though large-scale selling can influence the market price of their remaining holdings.

• SpaceX Passes First Lockup Expiry Test With $500 Billion Rally

  Bloomberg · Aug 13, 2026

  SpaceX successfully navigated its first major post-IPO lockup expiration, with the stock price rallying significantly despite the increased supply of shares.

  For employees: The positive market reception to the lockup expiry suggests that employees who chose to sell or hold their shares benefited from a strong valuation environment.

• SpaceX IPO expected to mint over 4,000 employee millionaires

  Quartz · Jun 11, 2026

  The company's IPO was projected to create significant wealth for over 4,400 current and former employees who held equity.

  For employees: Employees who accumulated equity over their tenure saw their compensation packages convert into liquid assets with substantial market value upon the company's public debut.

• SpaceX Reserves Up to 5% of IPO Stock for Staff and Friends

  Bloomberg · Jun 1, 2026

  SpaceX allocated a portion of its IPO shares specifically for employees and associates to purchase at the offering price.

  For employees: This program allowed employees to increase their ownership stake in the company at the initial IPO price before the stock began trading on the public market.

Sources

• SpaceX Goes Public: SPCX Now Available to Trade
• SpaceX (SPCX) Stock Quote and History
• Initial public offering of SpaceX - Wikipedia
• SpaceX Investor Relations
• Reuters: SpaceX lockup expiry (Aug 2026)