It's not unprecedented for tax liabilities to be waived in extreme circumstances, but just not understanding what was going on isn't an extreme circumstance.
A lot of people got screwed badly by this during the dot-com boom/bust, and it did lead to changes in how startups grant ordinary employees equity.
If you're ever in the situation of being given stock or options and you're not 100% sure of the implications, TALK TO AN ACCOUNTANT IMMEDIATELY.
A lot of people got screwed badly by this during the dot-com boom/bust, and it did lead to changes in how startups grant ordinary employees equity.
If you're ever in the situation of being given stock or options and you're not 100% sure of the implications, TALK TO AN ACCOUNTANT IMMEDIATELY.