Navigate Taxes with Confidence: A Startup Founder’s Guide

Chosen theme: Navigating Taxes for Startup Founders. From entity selection to credits, payroll, and filings, this edition turns confusing rules into clear, founder-friendly moves. Read, reflect, and subscribe to stay ahead of tax surprises while you build.

Designing a Startup‑Ready Chart of Accounts

Separate R&D, hosting, subcontractors, software, and founder reimbursements so your reports mirror how you operate. Good categorization makes tax prep smoother and strengthens board updates. Share a screenshot of your categories and we’ll offer feedback in a future post.

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Section 174 Reality: Capitalizing and Amortizing R&D Costs

Since 2022, many research expenses must be capitalized and amortized over five or fifteen years, complicating deductions. Align bookkeeping with your tax approach now. Subscribe for our practical 174 worksheet and tell us what tools you’re using.

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Documentation Discipline: Receipts, Memos, and Audit Trails

Attach receipts, write brief purpose notes, and keep vendor agreements accessible. Ten extra seconds per transaction saves hours under scrutiny. Comment with your favorite receipt app, and we’ll compile founder‑tested solutions in our next newsletter.

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Credits and Incentives: Turning Innovation into Extra Runway

R&D Credit for Startups: From Form 6765 to Payroll Offsets

Eligible startups can apply the federal R&D credit against employer Social Security tax, with higher caps under recent legislation. Coordinate Forms 6765, 8974, and 941 with your payroll provider. Tell us your experience and we’ll summarize best practices.

State Incentives: Where You Build Can Change What You Keep

States differ on R&D credits, refundable incentives, and training grants. Before hiring, compare locations using real tax math, not just vibes. Comment with your state and we’ll highlight relevant programs in a tailored follow‑up guide.

Founder Story: How a Small Credit Paid One More Engineer

Maya’s team claimed a modest R&D credit that covered a month of payroll for a critical engineer, shipping a key feature early. Share your win or challenge, and subscribe for more real‑world founder case studies and templates.

Paying People and Issuing Equity without Tax Nightmares

If you pay yourselves salaries, document duties, market rates, and board approval to support “reasonable compensation.” It helps with audits and investor diligence. What salary frameworks do you use? Share below so others can learn from your approach.

Paying People and Issuing Equity without Tax Nightmares

File 83(b) elections within 30 days for restricted stock to lock in tax treatment early. Understand ISOs versus NSOs, withholding, and AMT implications. Ask questions in the comments and subscribe for our 83(b) timeline and checklist.

SAFEs vs. Convertible Notes: What Changes at Tax Time

SAFEs often lack interest, while convertible notes can create interest and original issue discount. Track terms carefully so filings match reality. Ask about your instrument type, and we’ll feature anonymized examples for clarity in a future guide.

QSBS Readiness during Fundraises

Confirm original issuance, active business status, and the $50 million gross asset test. Keep precise stock records to support future claims. Comment if you’re structuring a round now, and subscribe for our QSBS diligence worksheet.

409A Valuations and Option Grants

A current 409A supports fair strike prices and safer option grants. Calendar refresh dates, especially after material events. Share your valuation cadence, and we’ll compile a founder‑approved checklist for equity hygiene and audit preparedness.

Calendars, Filings, and Deadlines You Can Actually Hit

Calendar‑year C‑Corps typically file Form 1120 by mid‑April; partnerships and S‑Corps by mid‑March. Extensions extend filing, not taxes due. Post your key dates, and we’ll share a founder‑friendly calendar template you can adopt immediately.

Navigate Taxes with Confidence: A Startup Founder’s Guide

Credits and Incentives: Turning Innovation into Extra Runway

R&D Credit for Startups: From Form 6765 to Payroll Offsets

State Incentives: Where You Build Can Change What You Keep

Founder Story: How a Small Credit Paid One More Engineer

Paying People and Issuing Equity without Tax Nightmares

Paying People and Issuing Equity without Tax Nightmares

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SAFEs vs. Convertible Notes: What Changes at Tax Time

QSBS Readiness during Fundraises

409A Valuations and Option Grants

Calendars, Filings, and Deadlines You Can Actually Hit