Regarding stock grants. If its like my company, p

Regarding stock grants. If its like my company, people get stock awarded every year and those shares vest over 4 years. When the stock vests, the owner only ever sees about 2/3 of the stock since the rest is sold automatically to pay taxes. The stock value at vesting is counted an income. So you have taxes withheld immediately just like part of your pay check is withheld. The remain shares can be sold or kept to appreciate over time. You must pay capital gains when selling. If its over 1 yr from vesting it would be long term capital gains on the value above the vesting price (because you've already paid income tax on the vesting price).

If NP is getting annual stock grants, then I believe some portion of the shares must be sold to pay taxes on the income as shares vest.