The Startup Law Blog
Practical legal guidance on QSBS (Section 1202), equity compensation, startup formation, financing, and Washington State tax issues for founders, investors, and startup employees.
Latest posts
Does Announcing Your Move Actually Establish Domicile?
An announcement doesn't establish domicile — conduct does. What the Derek Jeter and Tom Golisano tax fights teach Washington residents planning an exit before 2028.
Featured
Washington's New 9.9% Income Tax: What High Earners Should Do Before 2028
The ESSB 6346 referendum failed to qualify for the ballot. Here's what that means for Washington founders, investors, and high earners — and why you need to start planning now.
QSBS Gross-Assets Test vs. Stock Basis: How Tax Basis and FMV Work Differently Under Section 1202
Section 1202 uses tax basis for the company's qualification cap and FMV for the shareholder's exclusion cap. Confusing the two costs founders money. The distinction, cleanly.
You Bought a SAFE. Who's Protecting Your QSBS?
Angels investing on SAFEs are the most QSBS-exposed investors on the cap table and the least protected. A one-page side letter with an annual certification fixes it.
You Substantiate the $50 Lunch. Why Not Your QSBS Exclusion?
The NVCA venture forms address Section 1202 at closing and then go silent. Several core QSBS requirements are continuous tests, not issuance tests. The forms should require an annual certification.
The Washington Founder's QSBS Playbook: How to Qualify, Document, and Defend Your §1202 Exclusion
For Washington founders, §1202 is the single most valuable tax provision in the federal code. Here's how to qualify, document, and defend the exclusion across both pre- and post-OBBA regimes.
