IPO equity checklist
An IPO compresses years of equity decisions into a few months. Prepare before the S-1 is public.
Before filing
Inventory every grant, confirm the ISO/NSO split, evaluate exercising while the 409A is still low, and check whether your RSUs are double-trigger.
Between filing and lockup expiry
Expect blackout periods and a 90 to 180 day lockup. Model the tax on the liquidity-triggered RSU vest, which can be your largest income event ever.
After the lockup
Set up a 10b5-1 plan, decide a diversification schedule in advance, and make estimated payments — withholding on a huge vest rarely covers the actual bill.
Educational content, not tax advice. Your outcome depends on your grant documents, income and state. Equity Tax Engine models your actual position — join the waitlist.