Tax Impact of valuation increase in a startup I invested in

I invested in a startup company that was valued at $2M post-money when I invested in it.

A couple years later they are raising more money that will probably value the company post-money around $25M. With dilution from the new financing my shares are now valued at around 7.9x cash on cash gain. (e.g, - If I invested $10,000 now it is worth $79,000 on paper)

So my question is does this theoretical $69,000 increase in value have any tax implications for me?

Appreciate if anyone has been in this situation before.

 
Best Response

I'm definitely no expert here, but generally you would be taxed on the gain, yes, but only when/if you decide to sell your shares. You may be able to reduce the amount of taxes you end up paying on the investment if the investment qualifies - look up IRC Section 1202.

Someone else more involved in tax practice can probably chime in for better explanation, but that can probably get you started.

 
junkbondswap:

If Hilary doesn't get elected you can expect to pay long term capital gains at the current rate only when you sell.

Honestly, if Hillary does get elected, you can still probably expect to only pay 15% when you sell. You'd only really have to worry if Warren or Sanders somehow manage to get elected. Which I see happening only if Hillary falls out of a plane or is revealed to be a serial axe murderer.

 

Don't forget the 3.8% additional tax on net investment income provided by the ACA for people who make over $200,000 singly / $250,000 jointly. And the 15% goes to 20% if he makes over $413,200 singly or $464,850 jointly. And of course add on any additional state tax rates. Depending on his income level and where he lives that 15% could be north of 30%.

I would agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong.
 

My comment was made in jest but I expect that cap gains rhetoric (and class inequality) will play a major role depending on who gets the GOP nomination. Hilary has said historically that she would not raise rates above 20% (where they are now plus the 3.8%). Interesting to remember that rates were at 28% under Reagan. I would expect Hilary (similar to Bill) to push for a tax code that pushes for higher taxes on wages but not capital income for high earners. Rubio has endorsed a 0% cap gains rate. I wouldnt mind paying such high taxes if the funds were utilized more effectively which is a whole other debate.

 

Thanks guys for the input. That was my assumption but wanted to gut check it. The financing is happening this year so I wouldn't have had to really deal with it until next year even if there was a issue...

optrader47 You're completely correct... I was calculating off the incorrect share count (I've invested in the seed round and re-upd for the series A at the new valuation and meant to just isolate my seed round shares as they are the only ones increasing in value). The correct dilution impact is a 7.9x MoM which I updated in the post. My effective paper value all in with new capital is 4.9x my total cost basis.

"If you want to succeed in this life, you need to understand that duty comes before rights and that responsibility precedes opportunity."
 

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