Guides
Tax guides for founders and people in tech
Straight answers to the searches people actually type—RSUs, 83(b) elections, R&D credits, multi-state moves, and first-year founder taxes.
Founders & Startups
Tax Filing for a Delaware C Corp California Founder
Delaware incorporation with California-resident founders means dual compliance—1120, DE franchise tax, CA Form 100, and personal Schedule CA.
S Corp vs LLC for Startup Founders
S corp or LLC for your startup? Why most VC-bound founders choose C corps instead—and when S corp or LLC still makes sense.
83(b) Election Deadline Missed: What to Do
Missed the 83(b) 30-day window? Options are limited—here's what founders actually do next and how to avoid compounding the mistake.
When to File an 83(b) Election
The 30-day window for 83(b) elections on founder and early employee stock—when to file, how to mail it, and what goes wrong if you wait.
QSBS Exclusion Explained for Founders
Section 1202 QSBS basics: which founder shares may qualify for federal capital gains exclusion and the holding-period rules.
R&D Tax Credit for Software Startups
How software startups use Form 6765 to claim R&D credits—including payroll tax offsets for pre-profit companies.
Bookkeeping for Startups Using Stripe and Mercury
How to keep clean books when money moves through Stripe and Mercury—payout timing, fees, and the categories investors expect to see.
Tax Services for Early-Stage Startups
From entity setup to annual 1120 filing—what tax services early-stage startups actually need, and what can wait until Series A.
CPA for Startup Founders: How to Choose the Right One
A practical checklist for picking a CPA who understands founder equity, fundraising, and the tax quirks of early-stage companies.
Startup Tax Accountant Near Me: What to Look For
How to find a startup tax accountant who understands equity, R&D credits, and early-stage cash flow—not just annual 1040 prep.
Equity & Comp
Do I Owe Taxes If My Startup Stock Is Illiquid?
Illiquid stock doesn't defer tax. RSU vests, NSO exercises, and ISO AMT all create bills before you can sell. Here's when tax is due and how people fund it.
How to Estimate Taxes on Equity Compensation
A practical worksheet for RSU vests, NSO exercises, and ISO AMT. Combine equity income with salary to find your marginal rate and avoid year-end surprises.
Tax on Stock Options When You Leave a Startup
Most startup option plans give you 90 days to exercise after termination. Here's what happens to ISOs and NSOs, what tax is due at exercise, and how to avoid leaving money on the table.
AMT from Incentive Stock Options
Exercising ISOs can trigger alternative minimum tax even when you sell no shares. Learn how the spread hits Form 6251, how much AMT you might owe, and how the AMT credit works.
ISO vs NSO Tax Differences
Incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options follow different tax rules at exercise and sale. Compare ordinary income, capital gains, and AMT treatment side by side.
RSU Tax Withholding Not Enough: What to Do
When your employer withholds 22% on RSU vests but you're in the 32% bracket, you'll owe more at tax time. Here's how to calculate the gap and fix it before penalties hit.
How Are RSUs Taxed When They Vest?
RSUs are taxed as ordinary income the moment they vest, based on fair market value that day. Here's what shows up on your W-2, how withholding works, and what happens when you sell.
Multi-State
State Taxes If Your Company Is in Delaware and You Live in NY
Why incorporating in Delaware does not shield your paycheck from New York tax, how NY sources wage income, and what remote workers in the tri-state area should expect.
Moved from California to Texas: Taxes on RSUs
How California and Texas treat RSU income when you relocate mid-year, including vesting-day sourcing, CA Form 540NR, and what to document before you move.
Do I Still Owe California Tax After Leaving?
How California decides you are still a resident, what income follows you after you move, and the domicile vs. residency tests that show up on Form 540NR.
Remote Work Multi-State Tax Filing
When working from another state triggers a second tax return, how convenience-of-the-employer rules apply, and how to avoid filing in five states by accident.
Scenarios
Side Project LLC Taxes While Working Full Time
Running a side LLC while on W-2: Schedule C vs S corp, quarterly estimates, hobby loss rules, and when your side income triggers extra withholding headaches.
Taxes After a Startup Acquisition or Tender Offer
Cash-out events, RSU vesting, QSBS, and withholding on tender offers — what founders and employees owe when shares actually convert to money.
Tax Help After Series A
What changes after your Series A close: payroll setup, equity comp, R&D credits, and the tax filings founders usually miss in the first year post-raise.
Contractor to Founder Tax Checklist
Leaving freelance work to start a company: final 1099 filings, S corp wind-down, quarterly estimates, and the tax moves to make before you incorporate.
First-Year Founder Personal and Business Taxes
How to handle your personal 1040 and company filings in year one: W-2 vs draws, estimated payments, 83(b), and what to separate before tax season.