A 409A valuation is an independent appraisal of your company's common stock, required by the IRS before you issue stock options. Without a current, defensible 409A, every option you grant exposes your employees to a 20% federal penalty tax. Total Finance Resolver delivers 409A valuations built to hold up under audit, investor diligence, and IRS scrutiny — not just a signed PDF.
Why the report matters more than the price?
Startups can now get a 409A for under $500 from automated platforms. What that price doesn't cover: a methodology that survives scrutiny when your Series A investors, auditors, or the IRS actually look closely. A 409A is only as good as the judgment behind it. We build every valuation the way an institutional investor would expect it to be built — because eventually, someone will check.
What you get
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Independent, IRS safe-harbor-compliant valuation report
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Methodology aligned with DCF, comparable company, and backsolve approaches — whichever fits your stage
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Direct access to the professional who built your report, not a support ticket queue
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Fixed, transparent pricing — no hourly billing surprises
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Turnaround built around your option-grant timeline, not a generic queue
Who we work with
Founder-led startups across California, Texas, New York, Washington, and Illinois — from first option grant through Series A and beyond. Whether you're a Bay Area SaaS company issuing your first grants or a Series A fintech preparing for a board review, the same standard applies: a valuation you can defend, not just file away.
When you need this
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Before your first stock option grant
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After a priced funding round
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Annually, or after any material change to your cap table
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Before an acquisition offer or M&A conversation
FAQs
How much does a 409A valuation cost for a startup?
Most startups pay between $1,800 and $3,500, depending on cap table complexity and funding stage. Pricing is fixed and quoted upfront — no hourly billing.
How long does a 409A valuation take?
Turnaround is typically 5–10 business days depending on complexity, built around your option-grant timeline.
What happens if I don't get a 409A valuation?
Employees receiving options priced below fair market value face a 20% federal penalty tax on the spread, plus interest, under IRC Section 409A.
Is a cheap 409A valuation risky?
Not inherently — but the report is only as strong as the methodology and judgment behind it. What matters at audit or diligence is defensibility, not the price paid.
How often do I need a new 409A valuation?
Every 12 months, or immediately after a material event such as a new funding round, M&A discussion, or significant change in company performance.