When should a startup bring in an accounting firm?

Before your first return is due, and ideally before you issue founder stock.

Can we deduct R&D spending right away?

Yes, again. From 2025, research and software development done in the US can be deducted in the year you pay for it. Research done outside the US is still spread over 15 years.

Do we need to file if we had no revenue?

Yes. A Delaware C corp files a federal return and pays Delaware franchise tax every year, revenue or not, plus returns in any state where it's registered.

Why is our Delaware franchise tax bill so high?

Delaware's notice uses the method that gives the biggest bill. Refigured from your year-end assets and issued shares, it's usually a small fraction of that, and we work out that figure before the March 1 deadline.

When do we actually get our R&D credit?

A young company with under $5M in revenue takes it off its payroll taxes, starting the quarter after the return is filed. There's no check from the IRS. Larger companies use it against income tax, now or in later years.

We're hiring in a new state. What do we need to do?

Register the company there, open state payroll accounts, and file a state return each year. We handle the registrations and the returns, and your payroll provider files the withholding.

Tax & Accounting for Startups and AI Companies

Your filings change with every round. Rivet's accountants stay a step ahead of them.

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

Trusted by 1,100+ teams

The tax side of growing fast.

Where startups overpay or fall behind.

R&D on payroll & compute
Engineering pay and cloud compute can qualify, and young companies can offset payroll tax.
Delaware franchise tax
Filed by March 1 and calculated the way that's usually far below Delaware's default bill.
Founder & employee equity
83(b) elections, QSBS records, and the filings that come with option exercises and tenders.
Teams in a dozen states
Each remote hire can add payroll and income tax filings in a new state. We file them all.
Sales tax on SaaS & APIs
SaaS and API revenue is taxable in some states and exempt in others. We work out which.
Foreign parents & subs
A foreign parent or an engineering team abroad adds IRS reporting and transfer pricing to your return.

Everything you need, from one firm.

Clients, in their own words.

“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
“The perfect example of customer-⁠obsessed, deep domain experts who are building delightful products with AI.”
Chauncey HamiltonPartner at XYZ
“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

From your first Delaware filing to your Series C diligence.

The tax side of growing fast.

R&D on payroll & compute

Delaware franchise tax

Founder & employee equity

Teams in a dozen states

Sales tax on SaaS & APIs

Foreign parents & subs

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