How Much Does a 409A Valuation Cost in 2026?
A 409A valuation in 2026 costs anywhere from about US$500 at automated platforms to US$15,000 and beyond at large accounting firms, and most venture backed startups pay between US$2,000 and US$5,000. The spread is not random: price tracks the complexity of your cap table and the depth of the provider's work far more than the size of your company. This guide breaks the market down so you pay for defensibility, not for brand or for shortcuts.
409A Pricing by Company Stage
Ranges reflect published 2026 market pricing across major providers. Expedited delivery inside ten business days usually carries a surcharge anywhere you go.
What You Are Actually Paying For
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Safe harbor
An independent appraisal shifts the burden of proof to the IRS. Without it, mispriced options can expose employees to an immediate 20 percent penalty tax plus interest.
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Audit defense
The report will be tested twice: by your financial statement auditors and, potentially, by the IRS. A defensible methodology matters more than a low fee.
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A refresh clock
Every 409A expires after 12 months, or immediately on a material event such as a new funding round. Budget for it as a recurring cost, not a one off.
Where Cheap Reports Go Wrong
Template driven reports priced to attract volume often assume a clean Delaware company with US market comparables. If your operating business sits in Singapore, Jakarta or Bangkok, those assumptions quietly fail: revenue in multiple currencies, regional comparables and cross border structures need an appraiser who has valued companies like yours. A report your auditor rejects costs more than the fee you saved, in both money and a delayed option grant cycle.
How WOWS Global Prices 409A Valuations
WOWS delivers audit ready 409A valuations with fixed quotes agreed before work begins, standard delivery inside ten business days, and appraisers who work with Southeast Asian operating companies every week. Refresh valuations for returning clients are priced below the initial engagement, and every report includes support through auditor questions. Request a quote from the 409A service page and we will confirm your price within one business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why do 409A prices vary so much between providers?
Business models differ. Automated platforms price low and standardise everything; accounting firms price high and customise everything. Cap table complexity, not company size, decides how much customisation you actually need.
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How often do I have to pay for a new 409A?
At least every 12 months, and sooner after any material event, most commonly a funding round. Refreshes typically cost 30 to 50 percent less than the first engagement.
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Is a more expensive 409A safer with the IRS?
Not automatically. Safe harbor depends on a qualified independent appraisal with sound methodology, which both mid priced and premium providers can deliver. What you should not do is buy a report whose assumptions do not match your business.
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Does a Southeast Asian startup even need a 409A?
Only if there is a US connection: a US entity in the structure, US employees receiving options, or US investors who require it. Our dedicated guide for Southeast Asian startups explains exactly when the requirement applies. If the 409A supports an option plan, our ESOP Singapore service handles the plan itself.