I am trying to grok this bit.

If I understand it, an 83(b) election allows me to buy stock in the company at the (say) day of employment, and recognise that as income on the same day (ie I buy the stock as I join). Then there is some restriction on me selling it during my employment (not quite vesting but similar).

Which sounds sensible - but I may have misunderstood.

Overall it seems either people are trying to make a simple situation seem complex, or the (US?) tax code is set up badly.

http://www.startupcompanylawyer.com/2008/02/15/what-is-an-83...