Built exclusively around income tax strategy for equity compensation.
A tax boutique serving a select group of early employees, innovators, and executives.
Strategic depth at moments of transition and opportunity.
Jack has been a thought leader in the space of tax planning for equity compensation. During Snapchat's IPO in 2017, Jack was quoted on tax strategy by the Los Angeles Times. When the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was passed, the San Francisco Chronicle quoted Jack on changes to the Alternative Minimum Tax. When Carta began posting educational content in 2020, Jack was the first tax advisor to be featured in a post about the tax implications of compensatory stock options.
In the nascent years of generative AI, Jack in 2020-2021 served on the product advisory board of a company that applies AI and machine learning to tax law, and prompted it to develop a module on Qualified Small Business Stock.
Recently, many new clients have been early employees at leading private companies, including some of the most innovative frontier AI labs.
Jack graduated from The College of New Jersey with a bachelor's degree in philosophy. He was president of the debate team, and the sole recipient of the philosophy department's academic award. Jack received his JD from Arizona State University College of Law (but is not practicing law in connection with Instrument), and was a research assistant for a professor of tax law.
Four principles. One practitioner.
The work is intentionally narrow. When a matter falls outside this scope - including estate planning, financial or investment advice, securities law, or entity structuring - we can often provide referrals to qualified professionals in those areas.
The Importance of Proactive Strategy
Multi-year income tax planning. Your private bank or financial team's perspective is highly valued and welcome as part of the tax planning process.
Handling Individual Income Tax Return Filings
Individual income tax returns prepared with care and precision, supported by a final review of the IRS wage and income transcript when available to confirm accuracy and completeness.
Tax Visibility Drives Better Planning
When circumstances change, reach out for an updated tax projection and quarterly payment schedule. Understanding your tax obligations and timing is foundational - it helps determine available investment capital, keeps you on track, and provides the clarity needed for strategic planning.
Open and Accessible Communication
Engagements are structured with a flat fee, designed to encourage open communication about tax planning opportunities and developments without concern that time-sensitive, tactical advice will result in additional billing.
Forward-looking and director-led.
Every engagement is led by Jack across the year — not just at filing. Success is measured by confident, proactive decisions grounded in a clear understanding of alternatives.
Discover
A comprehensive and streamlined process to gather important information.
Design
Build a tax strategy that integrates your goals and the guidance of trusted advisors while positioning you to adapt to changing circumstances.
Implement
Execute the plan with attention to compliance and optimization opportunities.
Evolve
Continuous evaluation and adaptation.
Introductions are personal, and rare by design.
Jack selectively accepts engagements where the opportunity to create value substantially outweighs the cost of the engagement.
Questions before an introduction.
What type of client do you typically work with?+
Early employees, founders, and executives navigating equity compensation - often at private technology companies, including frontier AI labs.
How are engagements priced?+
Engagements are structured with a flat fee, so you can reach out for time-sensitive, tactical advice without concern that a call or email will generate additional billing.
Will you incorporate input from my private bank or broader financial team?+
Yes. Coordination with your private bank and other members of your financial advisory team is welcomed and encouraged. Tax considerations should be evaluated in the context of your broader financial and personal objectives, rather than driving them. You are encouraged to consult with your independent legal, financial, and other professional advisors regarding your non-tax goals. For example, while holding an investment long enough to qualify for a preferential long-term capital gains tax rate may be beneficial, focusing on tax savings at the expense of sound investment decisions can be costly, as changes in an investment's market value frequently dwarf the value of any available tax benefit.
What is outside the scope of the practice?+
Estate planning, financial or investment advice, securities law, and entity structuring fall outside the practice. Referrals to qualified professionals in those areas can often be provided. For situations where international tax is potentially a factor, we assume an intention to reside continuously in the US, and will not advise on the tax planning implications of relocating away from the US, either in your capacity as an individual or as a spouse or family member of a non-US person or a person who may become a non-US person.
Are you a CPA?+
No. Jack is admitted to practice before the Internal Revenue Service as an Enrolled Agent, and provides tax services to the extent of Circular 230 and the regulations thereunder.
Do you provide legal services?+
While Jack has a law degree, Jack is not providing legal services in connection with Instrument Tax.