Should I file an 83(b) election?

If your stock vests over time, usually yes, within 30 days of the grant. You pay tax on its value today instead of its value when it vests.

When should I talk to you about a secondary or exit?

Before you sign. Installment terms, escrows, and earnouts change when and how you're taxed, and they're hard to undo after closing.

Do I qualify for QSBS?

It depends on whether the company was a C corp under the asset limit when your stock was issued, what the business does, how you got the shares, and how long you've held them. We check each test against company records.

Will exercising my ISOs trigger AMT?

It can, if you hold the shares past year-end: the paper gain counts toward AMT. AMT you pay comes back as a credit in later years, often when you sell. We work out how many shares you can exercise before it starts.

I sold shares in a tender offer. Do I owe tax now?

Usually, through an estimated payment by the next quarterly due date. Paying at least last year's total tax (110% at higher incomes) avoids federal penalties, but not a large bill in April.

If I move out of California, do I still owe it tax?

On equity you earned while working there, often yes. California and New York tax a share of your stock income based on the days you worked in the state while you earned it.

Personal Tax for Founders & Executives

The costly mistakes happen before the return: an exercise, a sale, a move. Rivet plans each one with you, then files it.

#1 Most-Rated Firmon Sam's List, YC Deals

Trusted by 1,100+ teams

The personal side of building a company.

Your return gets complicated the moment your equity is worth something.

ISO exercises & AMT
When to exercise, how much AMT it triggers, and getting that AMT back in later years.
QSBS
Whether your shares qualify, how much gain you can exclude, and the records that prove it.
Secondaries & tenders
Your gain on a secondary or tender reported correctly, including any part taxed as wages.
Angel checks & K-⁠1s
Syndicate K-⁠1s each year, and write-⁠offs for the startups that don't make it.
Moving states
Leaving California or New York means proving the move, and both can still tax equity you earned while working there.
Estimates & withholding
Your employer's withholding rarely covers equity income, so we set quarterly estimates that do.

Everything you need, from one firm.

Clients, in their own words.

“Outstanding customer service, really strong expertise, and the best responsiveness I’ve seen. Nick, Kyle and the Rivet team have been amazing to work with for my personal prep.”
Zak KukoffChair, Tech & Venture Practice at Lewis-⁠Burke Associates
“Responsiveness and reliability! Most accountants don’t answer your questions for weeks, and try to avoid being helpful to save time. Rivet felt like the opposite. They went above and beyond.”
Vibhav JoopelliVP of Finance at Cursor
“It’s been awesome seeing Rivet serve many of the fastest growing companies in the world.”
Eric GlymanCo-⁠Founder, CEO at Ramp
“Rivet is the only tax firm Ranger ever plans to use.”
Josh IpFounder at Ranger
“Rivet is 100x better than any tax advisor we've used before.”
Daniel PetkevichFounder at Fair Square

See why industry-⁠leading businesses choose Rivet.

Flat fee, no surprises
One annual fee, agreed before we start. No hourly meter.
Corporate and personal, together
The company's returns and its executive team's personal returns, from one team that knows both.
Big Four-⁠trained accountants
A team from the Big Four and top national firms reviews every return.
Agents do the legwork
Software we built runs the busywork, so our accountants spend their time on judgment calls.
Every filing in-⁠house
Our own team prepares and files your federal and state returns, in all 50 states.
Tax only, or tax plus bookkeeping
Your choice. Keep your books and upgrade your tax, or hand us both.

Frequently asked questions

Can't find what you're looking for? Talk to our team.

Don't let complexity slow you down.

One price for the whole year. No hourly billing.
Got an IRS notice or a deadline coming up? Book an urgent call

Personal tax for the people building the companies.

The personal side of building a company.

ISO exercises & AMT

QSBS

Secondaries & tenders

Angel checks & K-⁠1s

Moving states

Estimates & withholding

Everything you need, from one firm.

Clients, in their own words.

See why industry-⁠leading businesses choose Rivet.

Flat fee, no surprises

Corporate and personal, together

Big Four-⁠trained accountants

Agents do the legwork

Every filing in-⁠house

Tax only, or tax plus bookkeeping