Founder & CEO Vanessa Kruze is a CPA, Deloitte Tax alumni, and former Controller of a 120+ FTE startup. Our Staff Accountants and Controllers come from the Big 4 and top venture capital backed startups which makes us a better option than hiring any mildly experienced consulting CFO. Kruze started in San Francisco, but has expanded to the Los Angeles, Chicago and New York markets.
140+ Seed, Series A, and Series B startups have come to trust our expertise and services. Interim CFO, startup accounting and bookkeeping services, startup annual taxes, expense reports, payroll, benefits, financial modeling:
we’ve got you covered.
Concerned about your 2026 Tax Deadlines?
We've done the work for you with these 2026 Tax Compliance Calendars.
IRS ACA Compliance 1094-B, 1095-B, 1094-C, and 1095-C filings are due (e-file).
Deadline to file California Corporation Franchise or Income Tax Return (Form 100). Minimum amount due is $800.
C Corp Form 1120 Tax Return due. The Federal Form 1120 is the U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return, which the IRS has companies use to report their income, losses, credits, etc., and to figure the income tax liability of the corporation. Can extend the deadline to Oct. 15. All Santa Monica startups are required to file this Federal form by this deadline unless they file an extension.
Federal Quarterly Estimated Tax 1st installment (first quarter 2026).
File the R&D Tax Credit Form 6765 with your tax return. Can extend to October 15. We strongly recommend working with a qualified CPA to prepare this form in conjunction with your Form 1120 if your company is going to be acquired by a major technology company, that company’s CFO will use a strong tax team to do due diligence on this.
Due date for Santa Monica startup employees to make contributions to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) for 2025 (Employee Benefits).
Santa Monica startups can claim Research & Development Tax Credits on Form 941.
571-L Business Property Tax for Los Angeles County due. Final date to avoid 10% penalty.
Delaware Quarterly Estimated Franchise Tax. Pay 40% of estimated annual amount (if annual amount expected to exceed $5,000).
Federal Quarterly Estimated Tax 2nd installment (second quarter 2026).
Annual City of Santa Monica Business License Renewal filing due. A 60-day grace period before penalties are assessed is provided. Payment due on Gross Receipts.
Claim Research & Development Tax Credits on Form 941.
Last day to file the Annual City of Santa Monica Business License Renewal before penalties are assessed.
Delaware Quarterly Estimated Franchise Tax. Pay 20% of your estimated annual amount (if annual amount expected to exceed $5,000).
Federal Quarterly Estimated Tax 3rd installment (third quarter 2026).
C Corp Form 1120 Tax Return final due date for Santa Monica startups if extension was filed.
Claim your Research & Development Tax Credits on Form 941.
Delaware Quarterly Estimated Franchise Tax, Pay 20% of estimated annual amount (if annual amount expected to exceed $5,000).
Federal Quarterly Estimated Tax 4th installment (fourth quarter 2026).
Technology Partners
Client testimonials
Kruze Consulting is the perfect Accounting, Finance and Tax partner for Los Angeles Startups. Kruze delivers exceptional monthly reporting and financial projections. When we need help with benefits or payroll, Kruze solves our problems. Kruze does our taxes for a fraction of what previous accountants have charged. Thank you Kruze for being a great partner.
Brett O'Brien
CEO @ FLYR
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We are the experts at helping seed/VC-backed Delaware C-Corps with their accounting and finances!
Talk to an experienced accountant, not a generic sales person
$250M+ VC Funding Raised
"I had a great experience working with Kruze Consulting when we raised Series A. They know what VCs need to see, and how to present a startup's books and finances. If you are going to raise venture capital, you need experts like Kruze."
Chris Mansi
CEO
Startup Venture Capital Assistance
With former venture capitalists on staff, our team is here to help you navigate the fundraising process and manage your board of directors
Scale Remote Operations & Team
"Kruze has supported us above and beyond basic accounting needs by ensuring we have everything we need to expand and support our team wherever they may be located"
Zack Fisch
Head of Operations & Legal
Clients who have worked with Kruze have collectively raised over $15 billion in VC funding.
We set startups up for fundrising success, and know how to work with the top VCs.
Experienced team helping you
Our account management team is staffed by CPAs and accountants who have, on average, 11 years of experience.
Grew from a 2-person startup to a NASDAQ listed public company.
"The Kruze team helped us grow from a 2-person startup to a NASDAQ listed public company in 2 years. We wouldn't have gotten public without Kruze's support. Anyone thinking of launching a startup should make Vanessa their first call!"
Jesse Shefferman
CEO
