What to do after forgetting to include my 83(b) election with filed tax return?

This is actually a common issue with startup founders and early employees. The good news is that filing your 83(b) election within the initial 30-day window is the most important step, which you've already done correctly. For the tax return attachment requirement, you don't need to file an amended return. The IRS just needs a second copy of the election with your tax return. Since you e-filed, you should send a cover letter explaining the situation along with a copy of your original 83(b) election to the IRS processing center. Make sure to reference your tax filing information and explain that this is supplementing your already e-filed return. The election itself is still valid as long as you filed within that initial 30-day window. The requirement to attach it to your tax return is more of a procedural step to ensure the IRS properly connects the election to your tax account.

After struggling with a similar situation, I found an amazing tool that saved me tons of stress. I used https://taxr.ai to analyze my 83(b) situation and get clear guidance. Their system actually scanned my original election documentation and provided me with a detailed checklist of exactly what I needed to do to properly supplement my e-filed return. They have a document analysis feature that helped me understand exactly what information needed to be included in my cover letter to the IRS and confirmed that my original 30-day filing was sufficient to maintain the validity of my election. It was incredibly reassuring to get that confirmation from their tax experts.

I just wanted to follow up about my experience with taxr.ai after checking it out based on the recommendation here. It was seriously helpful for my 83(b) situation! Their system analyzed my vesting schedule (which has some weird acceleration clauses) and gave me super clear guidance. What really impressed me was that they had specific experience with my exact situation - they showed me examples of similar cases where people had e-filed and needed to submit the 83(b) later. They even generated the cover letter for me with all the right language. Saved me a ton of time and gave me peace of mind that I wasn't missing anything important. Definitely worth checking out if you're dealing with startup equity issues.

I spent WEEKS trying to get through to the IRS about a similar 83(b) issue and was getting nowhere. Called dozens of times, always disconnected or on hold forever. Then a buddy recommended https://claimyr.com and showed me this demo: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c They got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes who confirmed exactly what I needed to do. The agent verified that my original 30-day filing was the critical part and explained exactly where to send my supplemental documentation. They even gave me a reference number for my case that I could include in my cover letter.

I have to eat my words and apologize for being so skeptical about Claimyr. After continuing to get nowhere with the IRS on my own, I finally tried it out of desperation. I'm legitimately shocked - I got through to an actual IRS representative in less than 30 minutes. The agent I spoke with was super helpful regarding my 83(b) election issue. She confirmed that I didn't need to file an amended return and gave me specific instructions for submitting my supplemental documentation. She even gave me her ID number to reference in my cover letter, which apparently helps route it correctly within their system. This literally saved me weeks of stress and uncertainty. Sometimes it's worth admitting when you're wrong!

Just FYI - I went through this exact situation last year with my startup. I submitted my 83(b) election on time (within 30 days) but forgot to include it with my return. I sent a copy with a cover letter to the IRS explaining the situation, and everything worked out fine. The most important thing is having proof that you filed the original election within the 30-day window. Keep copies of EVERYTHING - your original submission with date stamp, certified mail receipt, the supplemental submission, etc. I've heard horror stories of the IRS claiming they never received documents, so documentation is key.

Make sure you understand what the "phantom income" risk actually is in your situation - it depends on your specific vesting schedule and the current vs. future value of the stock. If you purchased the shares at fair market value, there might not be any immediate tax consequences even without the 83(b) election. But if you got them below market value or if there's significant appreciation expected, then the 83(b) election becomes much more important.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago with my startup equity. The stress was real, but it turned out to be much simpler than I expected. You're absolutely right that the 30-day filing deadline is the critical one - that's what preserves your election. The tax return attachment is important but not a deal-breaker if you miss it initially. Here's what I did: I sent a simple cover letter to the IRS processing center (Fresno for CA) explaining that I had already filed my 83(b) election within the required timeframe but forgot to include it with my e-filed return. I included my name, SSN, tax year, and a clear statement that this was supplemental documentation for my already-filed return. I attached a copy of my original 83(b) election and sent it certified mail. The whole process took about 10 minutes to prepare and gave me complete peace of mind. No amended return needed, no complex forms - just a straightforward explanation and the documentation. Since you filed within the 30-day window, you should be in good shape.

I actually just went through this exact situation a few months ago! The anxiety was real, but it ended up being much more straightforward than I initially feared. Since you filed your 83(b) election within the 30-day window, you've already cleared the most critical hurdle. The IRS requirement to attach it to your tax return is more of an administrative step to ensure proper record-keeping on their end. Here's what worked for me: I prepared a simple, professional cover letter stating that I had timely filed my 83(b) election within 30 days of stock purchase but inadvertently omitted it from my e-filed return. I included my full name, SSN, tax year, and explicitly mentioned this was supplemental documentation for my already-processed return. I attached a clean copy of my original signed 83(b) election and mailed everything to the IRS processing center via certified mail with return receipt. The entire process took maybe 15 minutes to prepare, and having that certified mail receipt gave me tremendous peace of mind. No amended return necessary, and no complex procedures - just clear communication and proper documentation. Given that your shares are on a 4-year vesting schedule, getting this sorted now will definitely help you avoid any potential complications down the road. You're being proactive about it, which is exactly the right approach.

I went through this exact situation with my Series A startup last year and can definitely relate to the stress! The good news is that since you filed your 83(b) election within the 30-day window, you've already completed the most critical step. The IRS processing centers are actually pretty used to handling these supplemental 83(b) submissions. I sent mine about 6 weeks after e-filing my return, and it was processed without any issues. The key is being clear and direct in your cover letter. For your cover letter, include: your name, address, SSN, the tax year (2024 for your 2025 filing), and a simple statement like "I am submitting this 83(b) election as supplemental documentation to my e-filed tax return. The original election was properly filed within 30 days of stock purchase on [date]." Send it certified mail to the Fresno processing center since you're in California. I also kept a copy of everything including the certified mail receipt - documentation is your friend with the IRS. Given your 4-year vesting schedule, getting this sorted now will save you potential headaches later. The "phantom income" concern is real if you don't have the 83(b) election properly on file, but since you filed within the initial deadline, you should be protected. The supplemental submission just ensures everything is properly connected in their system.