Do I need a CPA to handle my startup equity?

For straightforward situations you can often prepare yourself with free calculators and guides. Bring in a CPA when real money or AMT is at stake: exercising ISOs with a large spread, a big or early exercise, selling in a tender or secondary, a possible QSBS exclusion, a multi-state year, or vesting and lockups around an IPO. These carry tax decisions that are expensive to get wrong.

What should I have ready before a tax consultation?

Your grant documents (option or RSU agreement), the strike price and the latest 409A or fair market value, your vesting and exercise dates, an estimate of your other income, and the state or states you lived in during the year. Having these ready makes the first call far more useful.

Is PrivateTechShares a tax adviser?

No. PrivateTechShares is an independent education and tools service. It helps you understand and prepare for your equity, and connects you with a qualified CPA when you need advice — it does not provide tax, legal or financial advice itself.

US equity holders

When you need a tax pro for your equity

Most equity questions you can work out yourself with the free tools. A few you shouldn’t do alone. Here’s how to tell the difference — and how to prepare before you talk to a CPA.

Written & maintained by the PrivateTechShares team · Published November 2026 · Reviewed November 2026

Your equity is probably one of your biggest assets and the one with the most tax traps. The good news: a lot of it you can understand and prepare for on your own. The decisions below are the ones where a mistake is expensive — and where a qualified CPA who handles equity compensation earns their fee quickly.

Prepare first, then bring in a pro. Run your numbers with the free calculators and, if you want it all in one place, the Equity Position Report. You’ll walk into the consultation knowing your own figures — which makes it faster, cheaper and far more useful.

Situations that genuinely need a CPA

If one of these is you, it’s worth a conversation. Each links to the tool that helps you prepare for it first.

Exercising ISOs with a big AMT hit

A large spread can trigger Alternative Minimum Tax in the year you exercise — even though you’ve sold nothing.

AMT calc →

A large or early exercise

Serious cash out of pocket and real risk. Worth a second opinion on timing and 83(b).

Exercise cost →

Selling in a tender or secondary

Capital-gains treatment, holding periods and withholding all come into play.

Tender offers →

A possible QSBS exclusion

If it qualifies, a chunk of your gain may be federally excluded — but the rules are strict.

QSBS calc →

RSUs vesting at or after IPO

Withholding gaps, lockups and a concentrated position to plan around.

RSU & IPO →

You left or were laid off

A short exercise window plus tax timing — decisions measured in days.

Leaving →

Our US tax partner

Talk to a tax pro — free consultation

If one of these fits, a CPA who handles equity compensation can take it from here. 1-800Accountant offers a free initial consultation for US holders — a straightforward way to get a professional on your specific numbers.

✓ Licensed CPAs & EAs✓ All 50 states✓ Year-round support

Talk to a tax pro →

US only · Partner link — we may earn a referral fee. PrivateTechShares is educational; the CPA provides the advice.

What to have ready before your consult

Bring these and the first call is far more productive:

Your grant documents — option or RSU agreement
Your strike price and the latest 409A / fair market value
Your vesting and exercise dates (and any post-termination window)
A rough estimate of your other income for the year
The state(s) you lived in during the year

Our tools can produce most of these figures for you — start with the AMT & exercise calculator or the full Equity Position Report.

How we keep this accurate. We write from primary sources — the IRS and official filings — date every page, and review them regularly. This is independent, educational information, and deliberately not a substitute for professional tax advice on your own situation.

General information only — not financial, tax or legal advice. 1-800Accountant is an independent partner; PrivateTechShares may earn a referral fee if you book through our link, at no cost to you. PrivateTechShares is an education and tools service: it is not a broker, marketplace or tax adviser, does not hold funds, and does not execute or advise on transactions. Partner services are available in the United States.