To apply you need to provide detailed information about yourself and your vested stock options or shares. This includes the number of options, strike price, and any relevant timelines or deadlines.
We’ll also ask for the following documents to verify that you’re the owner of the options or shares.The documents below can be uploaded to Equitybee manually, or can be automatically added to your Equitybee account using our Carta integration, if you use Carta.
If you have vested options
1. Grant Letters and Options Agreements
Your grant letters specify the number of options, the strike price, and the vesting schedule. Your options agreements are the legal documents you received when you were first granted your options. These will help us determine the funding amount needed to exercise your options. You likely received these documents around the time you started working for the company.
Where can I find these?
If you use Carta, open the "Holdings" page and click on each of the option grants at the bottom of the page. Then, click the "Print" button and save the files as PDFs. Otherwise, you may find your grant letter and option agreement either in your employee records or email around the time you joined the company. If you're unable to find them, ask your HR department to provide a copy.
2. Latest Options Status
This is simply documentation that shows the current status of your options, such as a screenshot or other document. Similar to your grant letter, this will help us validate your number of vested options, their strike price, and expiration date.
Where can I find it?
If you use Carta, open the "Holdings" page and take a full-page screenshot. Otherwise, you can find the current status of your options by accessing your company's equity platform or ask HR if you're uncertain.
Please upload a full-page screenshot that includes the following: your name, company name, options vested/exercisable, their exercise price(s), and your exercise deadline. An email confirmation or memo from your HR or Finance department will also suffice. The screenshot of the email should also include the following information: Your name, sender email/name, and date.
3. Last 409A or FMV
This is a screenshot showing your company's latest share value, based on the last fair market value (FMV) or 409A evaluation of the company's common stock. This will help us determine your estimated tax liability so that the funding amount covers your taxes.
Where can I find it?
If you use Carta, take a full-page screenshot of the "Exercise simulator" page (the FMV can be found under "What's your tax situation"). Otherwise, you can find the FMV by accessing your company's equity platform or asking your HR department for assistance. An email confirmation or memo from your HR, finance, or legal departments will also suffice. The screenshot of the email should also include the following information: Your name, sender email/name, and date.
If you have shares
1. Share Certificates
This is a certificate that provides verification that you bought the shares.
Where can I find it?
This can be found where your company houses your stock option information (Carta, Shareworks, etc.). Otherwise, the company may have sent you a copy via email.
2. Tax Form 3921
This tax form is only for options exercised in prior years. This provides us with the amount of options exercised, the strike price, and FMV. If the options were exercised during this tax year year, then there’s no need for Form 3921.
Where can I find it?
Your company should provide this form by January 31 following the year you exercised; you might have it saved with your tax return.
3. Grant Letters and Option Agreement
Your grant letters specify the number of options, the strike price, and the vesting schedule. Your option agreements are the legal documents you received when you were first granted your options. These will help us determine the funding amount needed to exercise your options. You likely received these documents around the time you started working for the company.
Where can I find it?
If you use Carta, open the "Holdings" page and click on each of the option grants at the bottom of the page. Then, click the "Print" button and save the files as PDFs. Otherwise, you may find your grant letter and option agreement either in your employee records or email around the time you joined the company. If you're unable to find them, ask your HR department to provide a copy. The screenshot of the email should also include the following information: Your name, sender email/name, and date.
4. Latest Options Status (Optional)
This is a screenshot that shows the current status of your options. Similar to your grant letter, this will help us determine the number of your vested options, their strike price, and expiration date. The latest options status is only needed if you're still employed with the company.
Where can I find it?
If you use Carta, open the "Holdings" page and take a full-page screenshot. Otherwise, you can find the current status of your options by accessing your company's equity platform or ask HR if you're uncertain.
Please upload a full-page screenshot that includes the following: your name, company name, options vested/exercisable, their exercise price(s), and your exercise deadline. An email confirmation or memo from your HR or Finance department will also suffice. The screenshot of the email should also include the following information: Your name, sender email/name, and date.
5. Last 409A or FMV
This is a screenshot showing your company's latest share value, based on the last fair market value (FMV) or 409A evaluation of the company's common stock. This will help us determine your tax liability and ensure that the funding amount covers your taxes.
Where can I find it?
If you use Carta, take a full-page screenshot of the "Exercise simulator" page (the FMV can be found under "What's your tax situation"). Otherwise, you can find the FMV by accessing your company's equity platform or asking your HR department for assistance. An email confirmation or memo from your HR, finance, or legal departments will also suffice.