Topic: The Hidden Tax on Sweat Equity (and How to Avoid It)

Speaker: Shane Bohlender, Fractional CFO and Profit Architect

Presentation:

You worked for equity instead of a paycheck — so why does the IRS want to tax it like income? Sweat equity attracts talent and partners without burning cash, but they come with serious tax traps most business owners never see coming. In this session, we'll break down how structure these to avoid that upfront tax.  

Here’s the reality: done right, sweat equity attracts talent without draining your bank account. But when done without these techniques, you create a tax event that you’re probably not expecting. 

Speaker's bio:
Shane Bohlender is a CPA and MBA with 30 years of experience advising business owners and executives on complex tax, equity, and ownership decisions. As a Fractional CFO, he partners with business owners to design ownership structures, navigate K-1 reporting and profit interests, and align financial strategy with long-term growth and exit objectives.