10 Important 409a Valuation Compliances to Know

A 409A valuation is a financial metric that determines the fair market value of a private company's common stock. The value is then used to establish the cost of purchasing a share, employee stock options, ESOP, performance shares, and other equity compensation instruments granted to executives and employees. 409A valuation derives its name from the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 409A.

It is necessary for financial reporting and compliance with certain regulatory provisions. As such, companies must establish a valuation process, usually through an independent valuation expert or firm, to accurately and consistently determine the value of a stock.

In this article, we will discuss some of the important considerations in the 409A valuation in order to comply with the law.

What is the 409a Valuation?

Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) provides guidance on the valuation and classification of stock options, restricted stock, and stock issued in connection with an acquisition or a change in control. The importance of 409A valuation is to ensure that the fair market value of the stock is reported by the company and properly accounted for. Valuation is often a complicated exercise that involves both objective and subjective factors.

The 409A valuation compliances require a thorough and in-depth analysis of a number of factors in order to accurately determine the fair market value of private company stock. Having said that, it is recommended to seek help from a financial advisory firm or a professional prior to engaging in the 409A valuation of private company stock.

Why Do Companies Need to Comply With the 409a Valuation?

Under section 409A, certain instruments issued by companies to employees and executives are valued under the fair market value method of assessment. As such, the value cannot be set without taking into account the market conditions and other relevant factors.

These instruments include a variety of equity-based compensation, such as stock options, performance shares, and restricted stock. Here are a few reasons why you should comply with the 409A valuation:

1. For those who fail to comply with the 409A valuation requirement, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) could impose heavy penalties. The IRS could impose penalties on the employees, company, executives, or even a board of directors members with a 20% penalty.

2. Companies that fail to comply with the 409A valuation requirement may be liable for negligence. The government and the shareholders may seek corrective action from the company.

3. Undervaluing company stock may create an unfair situation for the employees over time. At the end of the vesting period, the employee may opt not to exercise options.

Thus, it is clear that the failure to comply with the 409A requirements can create a lot of problems for companies and their employees. The best way to avoid unnecessary trouble is to establish a robust 409A valuation process and have it executed by an independent third party. However, 409A is a complicated process that requires in-depth knowledge of the available options and the stock pricing behavior. Therefore, it is advisable to seek help from an expert before proceeding with the 409A valuation.

10 Important 409a Valuation Compliances Every Company Should Know

As stated earlier, the 409A valuation compliances are complex processes. While conducting a 409A valuation by referring to the IRS guidelines is possible, it is always advisable to seek help from an independent valuation firm.

The independence of the valuation firm ensures that the process is properly followed. However, before you engage a third party, it is essential to get a strong understanding of the 409A reporting requirements. It is recommended to take a look at the below 10 important 409A valuation compliances every company should know:

1. Deferred compensation is subject to 409A

The use of deferred compensation has become quite common among employers and companies. In fact, many organizations have made different types of arrangements to incentivize their employees. These include retention plans, incentive plans, and nonqualified deferred compensation accounts. Section 409A of the IRC regulates nonqualified deferred compensation plans and other arrangements that defer compensation. Under section 409A, companies are required to present the deferred compensation in the manner required by the company's governing documents. Therefore, if deferred compensation is not properly reported or violated, a 20% excise tax will be imposed.

2. 409A for private companies

Under the IRC, private companies are treated differently from public companies. It is essential to conduct the 409A valuation at the time of the stock offering, merger or acquisition due to the fact that the stock price for private companies is not traded on exchanges. The value of the shares is determined by an independent third party who, in this particular case, is the independent evaluator. It is important to highlight the fact that under private companies, 409A is mandatory.

Since there are no market prices available, it is necessary to engage a third party to determine a fair market value assessment of the stock. The valuation process requires a thorough assessment of a number of factors, including market expectations, current stock price, trends, and projections.

3. Timing restriction of 409a

The timing restriction regarding the 409A valuation is quite a common misconception among company executives and employees. According to the IRS, the 409A valuation process should be performed as soon as possible after a round of funding or before the issuance of the first common stock options.

On the other hand, if there are no funding rounds or options are not issued to employees, the 409A valuation should be performed every 12 months. Thus, either you have to perform the 409A valuation at the time of funding or issuance of the first common stock options, or you have to comply with the frequency of 12 months. Be sure to review the 409A valuation requirements before choosing a timeline for the process.

4. Factors that impact 409A

The 409A valuation of private company stock is a complicated process, which can be greatly affected by a number of important factors. Hence, it is essential to spot the factors that can influence the 409A valuation. It is advised to consult with an independent valuation firm, which can help you identify the most relevant factors. Here are some of the top factors that can influence the 409A valuation process:

When using the Market Approach method of valuation, the comparison of private and public companies should be conducted carefully as it may result in inaccurate results. The reason is that public companies have different corporate structures and regulations, which can result in varying factor trends.

The Income Approach method is based on cash flow projections, which are developed based on market expectations for the next five years. The projections are a huge factor in the process since they determine the 409A valuation of the stock. It is essential to conduct a thorough calculation based on the facts and trends.

Analysis of tangible and intangible assets is extremely important as per the Asset Approach method. Due to the fact that the method is based on the value of the assets, it is important to consider all events that may affect the asset values. This can include the future growth of the business, future profits generated by the assets, and operating costs.

It is important to consider the industry used to determine the 409A valuation of private company stock. The size of the company and its performance in that industry are some of the most important factors that can significantly impact the 409A valuation.

The company's equity structure is another fundamental factor that can affect the 409A valuation. This can be a major determinant in the process since different equity structures may result in varying methodologies.

5. What happens if you do not comply with 409A?

If you fail to comply with the 409A valuation requirements, you may be facing serious consequences. It is essential to note that those who failed to comply with the reporting requirements will be subject to the following:

• The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has the authority to pursue enforcement actions against those who failed to follow the 409A requirements.
• Penalties may be imposed on the company and its employees who violate the 409A valuation requirements.
• Legal actions may be taken against directors, employees, and other parties who violated the 409A valuation requirements.
• The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may seek damages or fines if a company fails to comply with the 409A valuation.

That being said, the consequences of non-compliance with the 409A valuation requirements are expensive and damaging. Thus, it is essential to comply with IRS rules and regulations.

6. Things to have to perform 409A

Well, there are a few things that you will have to have before starting a 409A valuation. It is important to have all the necessary documents (properly prepared and clearly explained) in order that the valuation can be consistent. Here are a few things you need to have while performing a 409A valuation:

• General Company Information

Having an understanding of the company’s general information will help you to keep your mind clear and focused on the 409a valuation process. The aim is to collect all relevant information in order to have a holistic view of the company.

• Three Comparable Public Companies

In order to compare the private company with comparable public companies, you will have to have a list of the 3 most reputable companies or those that are similar to yours.

• Recent and Planned Financial Rounds

If your company has a recent or planned financial round, you need to include this information in your report. Evaluate the financing round and determine how it has impacted the company’s performance and financials.

• Secondary Transactions

Have a list of all possible secondary transactions in your report, including mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures. This will help you to determine how the company’s value has been affected by any secondary transactions.

• Convertible Securities

Convertible securities are a key tool to demonstrate the company’s revenue and profit that can be used to determine the 409A valuation. You need to have a full list of all convertible securities along with the current values.

7. Determine FMV with 409A

You will have to determine the private company stock's fair market value (FMV) with a 409A valuation. You need to identify the fair market value with a proper analysis of all the key financial and operating data. This will help you to evaluate and understand each contributing piece of information. It is essential to have a clear view of the company’s financial and operating conditions in order to identify its fair market value.

8. Methods of 409A

There are three major methods of 409A valuation, which can be conducted based on different criteria. It is essential to follow specific criteria in order to determine the most appropriate method. The methods of 409A valuation can include the following:

• Market Approach

This method can be used to identify the company’s common stock value by comparing it with the transactions of comparable public companies. It is one of the most common methods to determine the 409A valuation of private company stock.

• Income Approach

This method is based on cash flow projections for the next 5 years. The assessment is based on the company’s projected sales, operating costs, and net income. This method will provide a clear picture of the company based on its future performance.

• Asset Valuation

This is a commonly used method to determine the 409A valuation of private company stock. It is essential to consider the company’s tangible and intangible assets. The current market value of the assets can make it possible to determine the company’s FMV.

9. DLOM in 409A

The discount for lack of marketability or DLOM is the last step of the 409A valuation process. It is the last step because after all other factors have been considered, a discount is applicable to the common shares as private companies are not publicly traded. Simply put, it is a discount on the price of the common shares used in the 409A valuation of private company stock.

10. Why get experts' help?

Due to its complexity and the inaccessibility of large amounts of data, the 409A valuation can be quite challenging. To make things easier, you need a professional with well-founded field experience. These experts' valuation reports are done according to the relevant laws and regulations. These reports are credible and can be accepted by all the companies as well as the shareholders. In addition, you need to make sure that you choose a reliable and credible agency. The experts will help you get the most accurate valuation of private company stock based on your collected data.

Conclusion

The entire process of 409a valuation has several steps, which can make things complicated for an inexperienced business owner. However, if you are well-versed with the process and follow a step-by-step approach, the entire process can be accomplished with ease.

The right professionals will provide credible reports based on their extensive experience in the field. The important 409A valuation compliances need to be taken into consideration to ensure that the process is accurate and credible.