01
Map the full cost
Enter the grant, current value, location, and income assumptions. See exercise price and estimated taxes together.
Stock option clarity, right on time
Give your optionsa longer runway.
See the full cost to exercise, compare funding paths, and make a decision before the clock makes it for you.
Built around the grant in your inboxISO + NSOAMT estimates50-state supportNo signup
One platform, the whole decision
Optioning turns a dense grant into a decision you can explain.
Start with the math. Add financing only if it improves the outcome. Every step keeps the assumptions in view.
Your option journey
From first question to final call.
Use only what you need today. Come back when the grant, valuation, or timeline changes.
Open the grant
Know what you actually own
Translate strike price, fair market value, vesting, and exercise windows into one clear picture.
Run the math
See exercise cost plus tax
Model ISO and NSO exercises with federal, state, FICA, and AMT estimates before cash leaves your account.
Compare the paths
Keep the tradeoffs visible
Put self-funding, non-recourse financing, and profit-split structures next to the same exit scenarios.
Choose your runway
Apply when funding fits
Share the details once and get an indicative path without burying the cost or downside protection.
The long advantage
Fewer unknowns between your grant and your answer.
The calculator keeps the assumptions next to the result, so you can change one number and understand what moved.
Start with the true cash number.
Exercise price is only the first line. Bring the tax estimate into the same view before you choose a funding path.
- ISO and NSO scenarios
- Federal, state, FICA, and AMT estimates
- QSBS and long-term capital gain context
- A shareable result for your advisor
Example only. Your result changes with grant terms, income, filing status, location, and tax assumptions.
A longer decision runway
Three steps. The math stays with you.
Optioning is useful before, during, and after the exercise decision. You can stop at the calculator or continue into financing without starting over.
02
Pressure-test the paths
Change exit values and compare self-funding with available financing structures on the same assumptions.
03
Move when it makes sense
Save your result, share it with an advisor, or submit the details for an indicative financing quote.
Why the clock matters
Too much equity disappears in the gap between grant and exercise.
The decision can combine a large cash need, an unfamiliar tax bill, and a short deadline. Better information creates room to choose.
76%
of startup employees never exercise their stock options
$60B
in option value is estimated to go unexercised each year
90 days
is still a common post-employment exercise window
Encrypted data
Non-recourse structures
Assumptions kept visible
Questions, answered plainly
FAQ
How accurate are the calculator results?
They are planning estimates based on the information and assumptions you provide. Tax outcomes vary, so use the result to prepare questions for a qualified tax professional—not as a tax filing figure.
Do I need to apply for financing to use Optioning?
No. The calculators and education library are available on their own. Continue to a financing quote only if you want to compare that path.
What does non-recourse mean here?
A non-recourse structure generally limits repayment to the financed shares or their proceeds, subject to the final agreement. Review the specific terms before making a decision.
Can I model both ISOs and NSOs?
Yes. The stock option tax calculator supports ISO and NSO scenarios and shows the different tax assumptions used for each.
Does Optioning provide tax or investment advice?
No. Optioning provides educational tools and estimates. A qualified tax, legal, or financial professional can advise on your specific situation.
Notes for the next decision
Keep up with option tax, timing, and financing.
Occasional, practical updates for startup employees. No daily market noise.