- 409a Valuation Services
409a valuation services, done right.
IRS safe-harbor compliant reports, built by CFA- and CVA-credentialed analysts — whether you’re a US company or incorporated abroad with US-citizen team members. Book a call to get your draft in 2 business days, from $899*. 800+ 409a valuations delivered.
- The basics
What Is a 409a Valuation, and Why Does It Matter?
A 409a valuation is an independent appraisal of the fair market value of a private company’s common stock, carried out so the company can grant employee stock options at a compliant strike price under Section 409a of the US Internal Revenue Code. It is normally required before the first option grant and refreshed every twelve months.
Section 409a of the US Internal Revenue Code governs how companies value deferred compensation, including common stock options. A 409a valuation determines the fair market value (FMV) of your company’s common stock — the number that sets your employees’ stock option strike price.
Professional 409a valuation services help companies establish a defensible FMV and maintain appropriate documentation for tax and audit purposes. Get this number wrong, and option holders can face an immediate 20% additional federal tax, plus interest, on the value of their equity — even before they’ve sold a single share.
Because 409a follows the tax status of the person receiving the equity rather than simply where your company is headquartered, it can also affect companies incorporated outside the US that have US citizens or US tax residents receiving equity.
Why Companies Use Professional 409a Valuation Services
Protects your employees
From unexpected personal tax penalties on their equity.
Protects your company
From audit risk and shareholder disputes down the line.
Supports ASC 718
Financial reporting your auditors can rely on.
Applies cross-border
Wherever you're incorporated, it likely applies if you have US-citizen team members.
- Cross-Border
Do Non-US Companies Need a 409a Valuation?
Often, yes. Section 409a can apply based on the tax status of the person receiving the equity, rather than the country where the company is incorporated. If a US citizen or US tax resident holds options in your company, wherever the company is based, the rules may apply.
This is one of the most common questions we address with international companies. A company incorporated in the UK, Singapore, India or the UAE that grants equity to a US-citizen engineer, adviser or co-founder may need to consider 409a compliance.
Our team has delivered 500+ cross-border valuation engagements and provides 409a valuation services for companies across jurisdictions and entity structures.
If you’re comparing 409a valuation providers, look beyond price. Cross-border experience, analyst credentials, methodology, documentation and communication can all matter when selecting a provider.
- Purpose
When you need a 409a valuation
-
1
Granting your first employee stock option pool
-
2
Closing a new funding round — a "material event" may reset your safe harbor
-
3
Your last valuation is approaching its 12-month expiry
-
4
Preparing for acquisition, IPO, or a major strategic transaction
-
5
Your auditor, investor, or legal counsel has requested one
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6
You've never had one, and you're already granting options
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7
Your company is incorporated outside the US but employs US-citizen or US tax-resident team members
Callout – What counts as a “material event”:
Raising a new funding round;
being acquired or acquiring another business;
a significant business expansion or contraction;
a major change in ownership or control; issuing a new class of equity;
or a substantial shift in revenue or business model can require a new valuation rather than a simple refresh.
- Who it's for
409a Valuation Services for Companies at Every Stage
Whether you’re preparing your first option pool, managing a growing cap table, or handling a complex equity structure across multiple entities and jurisdictions, our 409a valuation services are designed for companies at every stage and size.
- Early-Stage & Startup Companies: Issuing your first employee option pool means establishing a fair market value for your common stock. Our 409a valuation services for startups help founders complete the process with clear guidance and without unnecessary back-and-forth.
- Growth-Stage Companies: As your company raises capital, expands your team and introduces new equity structures, material events may require an updated valuation. We make valuation refreshes fast and straightforward.
- Established & Large Companies: Complex cap tables, multiple share classes, international operations and evolving financial reporting requirements can make valuations more involved. Our credentialed analysts provide the methodology and documentation needed to support more complex structures.
- CFOs & Finance Teams: You need a defensible valuation, clear methodology, responsive analysts and a turnaround that fits your financial reporting and close calendar.
- Companies Preparing for M&A or IPO: Acquirers, underwriters and auditors may scrutinize your cap table and valuation history. Our reports provide clear methodology and supporting documentation designed for that level of review.
- International & Cross-Border Companies: Whether you’re incorporated in the US or elsewhere, we support companies with US-citizen or US tax-resident employees and complex cross-border equity structures.
- Legal Counsel & Auditors: When recommending valuation support to a client, you need a provider whose credentials and process you can assess. Our CFA- and CVA-led team provides direct analyst access and partner review.
- Pricing
Transparent Pricing for 409a Valuation Services
Priced by your entity structure – not your funding stage. Complex instruments are quoted individually.
Our 409a valuation services cost $899 for most company structures and $1,199 for LLCs, as a flat fee per valuation. Complex instruments such as SAFEs, warrants and convertible notes are quoted individually. There are no hidden charges and no stage–based pricing.
- Most common
All Companies*
Who it’s for: Standard entity structures – C-Corps and equivalent non-LLC entities, including non-US companies.
$899
- AICPA-compliant 409a report
- Draft in 2 business days*
- Tax audit support
- Partner review before final delivery
LLC Companies
$1,199
- AICPA-compliant 409a report
- Draft in 2 business days*
- Tax audit support
- Partner review before final delivery
Complex Instruments
Custom Pricing
- AICPA-compliant 409a report
- Draft in 2 business days*
- Tax audit support
- Partner review before final delivery
- How it works
How Our 409a Valuation Services Work
01
- Day 0
1. Book a call (Day 0)
Pick a 45–minute slot. This call is your mandatory management discussion.
02
- Day 0–2
2. Share your documents (Day 0)
After your call, securely share your cap table, financials and other required documents with your analyst.
03
- Day 2
3. Our team builds your model (Day 0-2)
Our CFA– and CVA–credentialed analysts build your valuation using a documented methodology tailored to your company’s structure and circumstances.
04
- Day 2+
4. Draft delivered (Day 2)
Review your report, ask questions and request revisions. The 2–business–day draft commitment begins once all required documents are submitted and the mandatory management discussion is complete.
05
- Day 2+
5. Signed report (Day 2+)
Your final report is partner–reviewed, audit–ready and prepared to support IRS safe–harbar requirements.
Choosing a 409a Valuation Provider
What to Look for in a 409a Valuation Provider
Not all 409a valuation providers work the same way. The right provider should be able to support companies across different stages of growth, entity structures and levels of cap table complexity.
When choosing a provider, consider:
- Experience with companies at different stages, from early-stage startups to established businesses
- Understanding of common and preferred stock, multiple share classes and complex equity structures
- Experience with funding rounds, material events and valuation refreshes
- Clear documentation and a defensible valuation methodology
- Transparent pricing
- Direct access to qualified valuation professionals
- Experience with cross-border and international company structures
- Ability to support ongoing valuation and refresh requirements
For companies looking specifically for 409a valuation services for startups, these same factors remain important – particularly experience with early-stage cap tables, option pools and recent funding rounds.
- Our commitment
What You Can Count on From Our 409a Valuation Services
2 business days
Draft, once your management discussion and required documents are complete. *
CFA & CVA
Every valuation led by credentialed analysts, with 100+ years of combined experience behind them.
$899*
Transparent pricing tailored to your entity structure.
Direct access
Speak directly with your analyst rather than relying on ticket queues.
Audit-ready
Reports designed for IRS and auditor scrutiny.
Human-led, always
Every model is built and reviewed by our team rather than being generated solely by software.
- Founder stories
What founders are saying
“We’d just closed our seed round and needed a 409a fast to start granting options to our first hires. val409a had a draft back to us in two days — I wasn’t expecting that from a compliance report.”
Early-stage Saas Company
“I’ve dealt with valuation firms before where you send documents into a black hole. Here we actually had an analyst we could message directly, which made a stressful part of fundraising a lot less stressful.”
Early-stage consumer brand
“We’re incorporated in the UK, but half our engineering team holds US citizenship and works remotely from Europe. I assumed 409a wasn’t our problem – val409a explained exactly why it was, and got us compliant before it became an issue.”
UK-incorporated company, cross-border team
- Who we serve
Global 409a Valuation Providers With Cross-Border Expertise
Our analysts have delivered 500+ cross–border valuation engagements from five hubs across four continents, for companies incorporated in the US and beyond. Sector and geography are rarely the constraint; the structure of your cap table usually is.
val409a serves companies globally — wherever your company is incorporated, our analysts can deliver an audit-ready 409a valuation.
Our 409a valuation services support companies across the US and international markets, including companies incorporated in Switzerland, Singapore, India, the UAE, the UK and other jurisdictions.
Sector-agnostic: We build 409a valuations for companies across every industry, including:
SaaS & Software; Fintech; Biotech & Life Sciences; Consumer & E-commerce; Deep Tech & Hardware; Marketplaces; Climate & Energy; and other industries.
SaaS & Software
Fintech
Biotech & Life Sciences
Consumer & E-commerce
Deep Tech & Hardware
Marketplaces
Climate & Energy
Every other industry we haven't listed
- Comparison
How val409a Compares With Other 409a Valuation Firms
| Dimension | val409a | Software–driven firms | Traditional valuation firms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onboarding | Mandatory management discussion followed by secure document sharing | Primarily self–serve | Often manual intake |
| Who builds your model | CFA– & CVA–credentialed analysts | Primarily automated | Varies by firm |
| Draft turnaround | 2 business days once requirements are complete | Often instant | Often 2–4+ weeks |
| Audit Support | Partner–reviewed and designed for audit scrutiny | Varies | Varies |
| Pricing | $899 for most entities; $1,199 for LLCs | Typically lower–cost | Often quote–based |
| Cross-border expertise | 500+ cross–border engagements | May be limited | Varies |
| Communication | Direct analyst access | Chatbot or ticket queue | Varies |
| Refresh Support | Available subject to policy | Often requires a new run | Often separately billed |
- See it for yourself
A real 409a valuation model, before you commit
Five hubs across four continents support our engagements — including firsthand experience with cross-border 409a compliance.
See a Real 409a Valuation Report Before You Commit
Not sure what a 409a report actually looks like? Download a sample 409a valuation report to see our methodology, structure and level of detail firsthand – the same rigor behind every signed report we deliver.
- Case Studies
See how we've helped companies get their 409a done
Complex Securities
One streamlined intake plus a mandatory management discussion — draft in 2 business days.
409a Valuation
Every model built and reviewed by our own credentialed team — never generated by software
We’ve helped companies
One streamlined intake plus a mandatory management discussion — draft in 2 business days.
Every Model
Every model built and reviewed by our own credentialed team — never generated by software
- FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About 409a Valuation Services
What is a 409a valuation?
A 409a valuation is an independent appraisal of the fair market value (FMV) of a private company’s common stock, used to set a compliant strike price for stock options issued under US tax rules.
How much do 409a valuation services cost?
Our 409a valuation services cost $899 for most company types and $1,199 for LLCs. Complex instruments such as SAFEs, warrants and convertible notes are quoted based on complexity.
What are the best 409a valuation services for startups?
The right service depends on your company’s entity structure, cap table, funding history and reporting requirements. Startups should look for a provider with experience in early–stage valuations, transparent pricing, clear methodology and direct access to qualified valuation professionals.
How do I choose between 409a valuation firms?
Compare firms based on analyst credentials, methodology, turnaround time, audit support, pricing transparency, cross–border experience and the level of human review involved.
Do I need a 409a valuation if my company isn't based in the US?
Possibly, yes. 409a considerations can arise based on the tax status of the person receiving equity rather than simply where the company is incorporated. Companies with US citizens or US tax residents receiving equity should seek appropriate professional advice.
How long does a 409a valuation take?
You’ll have a draft in 2 business days once the mandatory management discussion has taken place and all required documents have been received. Final timing depends on review and revision requests.
When do I need to refresh my valuation?
Typically every 12 months, or sooner if there is a material event such as a new funding round, significant M&A activity, a major change in ownership or control, or a significant business–model change.
When do I need to refresh my valuation?
Typically every 12 months, or sooner if you experience a “material event” — a new funding round, significant M&A activity, a major revenue or business-model change, or similar.
Can a founder or CFO prepare the 409a valuation themselves?
Companies seeking safe–harbor protection generally use a qualified independent valuation provider rather than relying on a self–prepared valuation.
Why is my 409a valuation lower than my last funding round's valuation?
A funding round generally reflects the price investors pay for preferred shares, which carry rights and preferences that common stock does not. A 409a valuation values common stock, so the value can be lower than the preferred–share financing price.
How does a 409a valuation relate to ASC 718?
A 409a valuation primarily addresses the tax treatment and fair market value of common stock, while ASC 718 addresses accounting for stock–based compensation. The valuation work can provide important inputs for financial reporting.
What documents do I need for a 409a valuation?
At minimum, companies typically provide a current cap table, financial statements and articles of incorporation. Additional documents may be required depending on the company’s structure and recent transactions.
Do you handle 409a valuations for LLCs?
Yes. LLC valuations are priced at $1,199 because membership interests and profits interests can require a different allocation approach than common stock in a corporation.
Do you work with companies outside specific sectors or regions?
Yes. Our 409a valuation services are sector–agnostic and support companies in the US and international markets, including cross–border structures.
Get 409a Valuation Services From Experienced Analysts
Get your 409a valuation started today.*