The strongest QSBS meeting starts with specific facts, document gaps, and questions a qualified professional can actually review.
What to keep in view.
Ask about the fact pattern, not a yes-or-no outcome.
Separate federal, state, transaction, and document questions.
Bring a concise fact and question list so the advisor can respond precisely.
Part 1
Company questions
Use company questions to confirm which entity, asset, and business-activity records the advisor wants to inspect.
Which formation and conversion documents should be reviewed?
Which financing dates matter most?
Which business activities need closer review?
Part 2
Shareholder questions
Use shareholder questions to clarify acquisition date, ownership history, transfer events, and holding-period documentation.
Which stock acquisition records should be checked?
How should transfers or secondary sales be reviewed?
What holding-period documents are needed?
Part 3
Transaction and state questions
If a sale or liquidity event is expected, ask the professional which federal, state-level, and transaction-specific issues should be reviewed.
What should be reviewed before signing transaction documents?
Which state-level questions apply?
Should a tax attorney, CPA, or startup attorney lead the next step?
Turn the guide into preparation work.
Organize the facts and open questions
Send documents before the meeting where appropriate
Capture follow-up requests from the advisor
Common preparation questions.
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.