[maehwasu]

As someone in a similar situation, at much lower numbers, I can say this is likely primarily about tax optimization, with the optics being a nice side benefit.

If you're fairly liquid and decently bullish on your company, then holding off and taking your income later as capital gains makes a lot of sense. And as seen in the article, he can borrow against the shares to achieve as much liquidity as he wants/needs for his lifestyle without having to pay ordinary income taxes.

I guess I'm impressed by Elon that he can get such puff from the NYT for some basic tax structuring.

[MarkMc]

If it's primarily a tax dodge, why is it so uncommon? Seems that most CEOs get paid very well even if they underperform but Musk will get paid nothing.

[cycrutchfield]

Presumably his compensation would be in the form of stock grants, which are taxed as income. Why are you talking about capital gains?