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83(b) Workflows and Step by Step Guide

Step by step guide to 83(b)s on Pulley

Tyler Martin avatar
Written by Tyler Martin
Updated over 3 weeks ago

83(b) Election Management in Pulley

Pulley streamlines 83(b) election management by automatically generating forms, sending reminders, and tracking filing status for stock certificates with vesting schedules. While Pulley handles the administrative work, stakeholders must still file their elections directly with the IRS.

If all shares are fully vested upon issuance, no 83(b) election is necessary.

Pulley does not yet support 83(b) elections for token awards.


How It Works: The Complete Process

What Pulley Does Automatically

  • Generates pre-filled 83(b) election forms

  • Sends email and in-app reminders to stakeholders

  • Tracks filing deadlines and status

  • Alerts admins when deadlines approach (5 days before expiration)

What Stakeholders Must Do Manually

  • Sign the 83(b) form in Pulley

  • Mail the signed form to the IRS within 30 days

  • Upload proof of filing back to Pulley


When 83(b) Elections Are Triggered

Pulley automatically generates 83(b) tracking in these scenarios:

Early Exercise Stock Options

  • When someone exercises stock options before they vest

  • Must file within 30 days of the exercise date

Restricted Stock with Vesting

  • All restricted stock grants that have vesting schedules

    • This includes restricted stocks with profit interest units

  • Must file within 30 days of the grant date

Important: The system only generates forms if the security is issued within Pulley before the 30-day election period expires.


For Administrators

Form Generation and Management

  • Automatic Form Creation: Pulley generates pre-filled 83(b) election forms for all eligible securities

  • Manual Import: You can track existing 83(b) elections by uploading them to stakeholder profiles or the securities section

  • Date Adjustments: Contact Pulley support to manually adjust submission dates if needed

Stakeholder Communications

  • Automated Notifications: Stakeholders receive both email and in-app reminders starting when they submit exercise requests

  • Admin Reminders: Admins can send additional reminders to stakeholders through the platform

  • Deadline Alerts: Receive email notifications when 83(b) deadlines are 5 days away

Tracking and Oversight

  • 83(b) Tracker: View the status of all stakeholder elections in one dashboard

  • Missing Elections: Easily identify securities that are missing 83(b) filings

  • Status Updates: Monitor filing progress and completion


For Employees and Stakeholders

Understanding Your Timeline

For Restricted Stock:

  • File within 30 days of your grant date

  • The clock starts ticking from when you receive the stock, not when it vests

For Early Exercise Stock Options:

  • File within 30 days of your exercise date

  • You can early exercise at any time before options vest

  • The election only applies if you exercise before vesting

Step-by-Step Filing Process

Step 1: Review Your Form

  • Access your pre-filled 83(b) form in Pulley

  • Review all details for accuracy

  • The form includes all necessary tax information

Step 2: Sign Electronically

  • Sign the form directly in Pulley

  • Download a copy for your records

Step 3: Mail to the IRS

  • Print the signed form

  • Mail it to the IRS within your 30-day deadline

  • Important: As of July 2020, there is no online submission option - it must be mailed

Step 4: Upload Proof

  • Keep a copy of your mailed form and any delivery confirmation

  • Upload proof of filing to Pulley

  • This updates your status in the system

83(b) elections are optional but often beneficial for tax purposes. Missing the 30-day deadline means you can not make the election for those shares.

Please consults with a tax professional to understand if filing is right for your situation.


Getting Help

For Technical Issues:

  • Contact Pulley support at support@pulley.com

  • Use the in-app chat feature

  • Call the support phone line

For Tax Questions:

  • Consult with your tax advisor or CPA

  • Review IRS Publication 525 for official guidance

  • Consider the long-term tax implications of your decision


Learn more about 83(b) elections.

Tags: 83(b), 83b, Exercise Requests, Stock Options, Restricted Stock

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