409A Valuation Services,
IRS-compliant & defensible.
Access independent, third-party 409A valuation services to stay IRS-compliant, protect option holders, and avoid unnecessary tax exposure.
Why 409A valuations are required
Privately held companies that offer equity compensation (such as stock options) are required by the IRS to obtain a fair market valuation of their stock every 12 months — or following a material event like a fundraising round or revenue milestone.
- Required for stock option and equity compensation plans
- Must be refreshed every 12 months or after material events
- Protects employees from adverse tax consequences
- Supports board, auditor, and investor confidence
IRS safe-harbor standard
A qualified, independent 409A valuation creates a presumption of correctness with the IRS — giving your company and option holders safe-harbor protection.
The risk of inaccurate valuations
Inaccurate or inflated valuations can expose employees to unfair tax burdens, penalties, and audit challenges — while undermining board and investor trust.
Why automated solutions fall short
While some cap table software tools include automated 409A features, these tech-generated valuations often produce volatile or inflated results that do not hold up under scrutiny.
- Volatile or inflated fair market values
- Limited human review and professional judgment
- Greater risk of employee tax exposure
- Weaker defensibility in audits
Why companies choose KoreSPV for 409A valuations
Our valuation partner brings over 20 years of experience working with closely held corporations. We ensure your valuation is defensible, compliant, and fair.
Defensible
Professional valuations that stand up to IRS scrutiny and provide safe-harbor protection for your company.
Compliant
Full IRS compliance with Section 409A requirements, refreshed every 12 months or after material events.
Fair
Accurate fair market valuations that protect your employees from unnecessary tax exposure.
Experienced
Over 20 years of specialized expertise working with closely held corporations and private companies.
Fast turnaround
Receive a draft valuation in days, not weeks, with a clear process and responsive support throughout.
Audit-ready reports
Comprehensive, well-documented reports that stand up to board, auditor, and investor scrutiny.
Standard 409A valuation pricing
Straightforward pricing for KoreSPV clients, based on stage and complexity.
| Stage / Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Seed / Series A | $2,500 |
| Series B | $3,000 |
| Series C | $3,500 |
| Series D | $4,000 |
| Series E+ | $13,000 |
| Monte Carlo Simulation | $6,000 |
Optional, but worth considering
Even though funds are not required to get a 409A valuation, many fund managers choose to do so when it strengthens operations and investor confidence. We can coordinate independent, IRS-compliant valuations to help you:
- Support equity grants in your management or portfolio companies
- Prepare for secondary sales of fund or portfolio company equity
- Document value ahead of acquisitions or IPOs
- Provide defensible valuations for audits and investor reporting
- Avoid risk from inaccurate or automated valuation tools
Clear. Defensible. Tailored.
Every valuation is tailored to your fund's structure and portfolio needs, delivered with documentation that stands up to scrutiny.
Other valuation needs
Our trusted valuation partner offers a comprehensive range of professional valuation services beyond 409A compliance.
Gift & Estate Tax
Professional valuations for gift and estate tax compliance, helping ensure accurate reporting for tax authorities.
ESOPs
Specialized valuations for employee stock ownership plans to ensure fair and compliant employee benefit programs.
Buy-Sell Agreements
Accurate valuations for buy-sell agreements, providing fair pricing mechanisms for business ownership transitions.
Portfolio Valuation
Comprehensive portfolio valuations for investment funds and asset management companies.
Fairness Opinions
Independent fairness opinions for mergers, acquisitions, and other significant corporate transactions.
Ongoing refresh support
Annual refreshes, material event updates, and reminders to keep your valuation current and compliant.
Ready for your 409A valuation?
Get started with KoreSPV and issue stock options with a defensible, IRS-compliant valuation.