Founder learning path
QSBS founder preparation checklist
A practical starting checklist for organizing company, stock, shareholder, document, and advisor-conversation facts.
Overview
Use this checklist to collect the basic facts a qualified professional will usually need before they can review a QSBS fact pattern.
Key takeaways
- Separate company facts, stock facts, shareholder facts, and document status before the advisor meeting.
- Mark unknown items clearly instead of guessing or filling gaps with assumptions.
- Bring the timeline, documents, and specific questions to a qualified professional for review.
Start with the company timeline
QSBS review is highly dependent on dates and entity history. A clean timeline helps an advisor see the sequence of formation, stock issuance, financing, business activity, and ownership changes.
- Formation date and original entity type
- Any conversions, mergers, or reorganizations
- Financing rounds and major asset events
Separate facts from documents
A founder may remember the story, but a professional review usually needs supporting records. Keep a fact list and a document list side by side so missing records are visible.
- Stock purchase agreements and board approvals
- Cap table history and transfer records
- Tax filings and financial statements
Prepare questions, not conclusions
The goal is not to self-determine the outcome. The goal is to make the professional conversation faster, more specific, and better documented.
- What facts are strongest?
- What items require document review?
- What state-level or timing issues should be checked?
Suggested next steps
- Run the QSBS interview
- Generate a discussion brief
- Review the brief with a qualified professional
FAQ
How should founders use this guide?
Use it to organize facts, records, unknown items, and questions before speaking with a qualified professional.
What should be done with state-level questions?
List them as review questions for a qualified professional. This guide does not make state-specific tax claims.
Preparation only
Use this guide to prepare a clearer advisor conversation.