Before you pay a CPA $1,500 for an ISO plan
Run your own AMT-free number first, then bring the worksheet to your CPA so the paid hour goes further.
| Amtally | CPA equity consult | |
|---|---|---|
| What it gives you | The federal AMT crossover, shares per grant and a printable worksheet | Full advice: state AMT, multi-year plan, filing |
| Price | Free: your AMT-free ISO number, the option comparison and every flag. Pro: $7 for 7 days, $9/month or $49/year. | EquityTax's pricing page cites $1,500–$2,500 for CPA work on this (read 2026-10-29) |
| Where data goes | Stays in your browser | Shared with the advisor |
Honest take: with a large exercise, state AMT or a sale coming, a CPA is worth it. Amtally gets you the federal number and the questions to ask.
Competitor details checked on 2026-10-29 from their public pages: EquityTax — pricing, IRS — Form 6251. Prices change — check their site for the current offer. Product names are trademarks of their owners; we are not affiliated with them.
FAQ
Is my data uploaded?
No. Your files are read by JavaScript in your browser tab and never sent to us or anyone else. Grants aren't stored, so closing the tab clears them. Settings can be saved in this browser if you ask.
What does Amtally do?
It reads your option grants, works out your 2026 regular federal tax and tentative minimum tax, and finds the largest ISO bargain element (FMV minus strike, times shares) you can exercise this year with no alternative minimum tax. Then it splits that room across your ISO grants and shows the strike cost, and the AMT and cash needed if you exercise everything instead.
How is AMT worked out?
AMT income is your taxable income plus the standard deduction (or the state and local taxes you itemized) plus the ISO spread. Subtract the 2026 exemption — $90,100 single, $140,200 joint, reduced 50 cents per dollar above $500,000 / $1,000,000 — then tax 26% up to $244,500 and 28% above. AMT is the amount by which that beats your regular tax (IRC §55; Rev. Proc. 2025-32).
What changed for 2026?
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21) cut the exemption phaseout start from $626,350 to $500,000 for single filers (and from $1,252,700 to $1,000,000 joint) and doubled the phaseout rate to 50%. High earners and big exercises reach AMT sooner, so the AMT-free amount you used in 2025 may be too high.
Is AMT money lost?
Usually not. AMT caused by ISO exercises becomes a minimum tax credit (Form 8801) you can use in later years when your regular tax is above your tentative minimum tax, for example the year you sell. But you pay it in cash now.
What's free?
Importing any number of grants, the AMT-free number, the three-way comparison, every flag, 3 FMV what-ifs, the plan for the first 2 grants and 12 grants in the table on screen and in print (with a footer). Pro shows everything and adds the Excel workbook and CSV exports.
What isn't covered?
State AMT (California's is 7%), long-term capital gains and qualified dividends at preferential rates, the net investment income tax, credits, NSO wage income from the same year, early exercise with an 83(b) election, and selling ISO shares in the same year (a disqualifying disposition).
Is this tax advice?
No. Amtally applies the rules it describes to the numbers you provide. It is an estimate to plan with — confirm with Form 6251 or a CPA before you exercise. It is not affiliated with the IRS, Carta or any equity platform.