Stock options and equity compensation basics for startup founders and employees, including taxation and vesting.
Exercise too early and you risk cash on a company that might fail. Wait too long and you face a crushing tax bill. Here's a framework for making the decision — including why Washington residents face a closing window before 2028.
The AMT can create a six-figure tax bill on stock you can't sell. Here's how it works, what changed in 2026, and why Washington residents have a shrinking window to exercise ISOs before state income tax arrives in 2028.
How to negotiate startup equity as an employee: understanding your offer, asking the right questions, evaluating strike price and vesting, and avoiding common mistakes.
Double-trigger acceleration explained: what it is, how it works, when it applies, and why founders and key employees should insist on it in their equity agreements.
Your equity compensation plan is one of the most important documents your startup will create. Here's how to structure it correctly — from pool sizing to vesting schedules to change of control provisions.
ISOs and NSOs have fundamentally different tax treatment. Understanding those differences — including the AMT trap, the $100K limit, and post-termination rules — is essential for founders and employees.
If you're issuing stock options, you need a 409A valuation. Here's what every startup founder needs to know about the process, the safe harbor rules, and the costly mistakes to avoid.
Washington's new 9.9% income tax takes effect January 1, 2028. For startup employees and founders with stock options, 2027 is the last full year to exercise without state income tax.
What is an 83(b) election, who should file, and how do you file IRS Form 15620 (including the new e-filing option)? Includes deadline rules, ISO/NSO early exercise, QSBS, and Washington state tax implications.
Can You Exercise a Stock Option With a Nonrecourse Note and Start Your QSBS Holding Period?
