To become an accredited investor the (SEC) requires certain wealth, income or knowledge requirements. The investor must fall into one of three categories. Firms selling unregistered securities must put investors through their own screening process to determine if investors can be considered an accredited investor.
The Verifying Individual or Entity should take reasonable steps to verify and determined that an Investor is an "accredited investor" as such term is defined in Rule 501 of the Securities Act, and hereby provides written confirmation. This letter serves to help the Entity determine status, take Investor statements regarding information, and waiver of claims."
West Virginia Accredited Investor Qualification and Verification Requirements for Reg D, Rule 506© Offerings In West Virginia, the Accredited Investor Qualification and Verification Requirements for Reg D, Rule 506© Offerings follow the guidelines set by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Rule 506(c) allows issuers to offer and sell securities to accredited investors through general solicitation and advertising. Accredited Investor Qualification: 1. Income-based Qualification: An individual is considered an accredited investor if their annual income has exceeded $200,000 ($300,000 for joint income) for the past two years, with a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year. 2. Net Worth-based Qualification: An individual is considered an accredited investor if their net worth, or joint net worth with their spouse, exceeds $1 million, excluding the value of their primary residence. It's important to note that the individual cannot include the value of the primary residence when determining their net worth. 3. Entity-based Qualification: Certain types of entities are also eligible to be classified as accredited investors. These include banks, registered investment companies, business development companies, trusts, partnerships, corporations, and other entities that meet specific requirements outlined by the SEC. Accredited Investor Verification Requirements: To ensure compliance with SEC regulations, issuers must utilize reasonable steps to verify that investors are indeed accredited. While Rule 506(c) does not provide specific verification methods, it requires issuers to consider the following factors when determining the reasonableness of the steps taken: 1. Nature of Investor: The issuer should consider the type of investor and their background, such as their profession or prior experience in financial or investment matters. 2. Income Verification: For income-based qualification, issuers may request written representations from the investor, such as tax returns, W-2s, or similar forms. Alternatively, issuers can rely on a third-party verification service to verify income. 3. Net Worth Verification: For net worth-based qualification, issuers may require the investor to provide financial statements, bank statements, appraisal reports, or other documents that substantiate their net worth. Issuers can also rely on a third-party CPA, attorney, or investment adviser to verify net worth. 4. Prior Verification: If an investor has been previously verified as an accredited investor in the past, issuers may consider it as a reasonable step for verification in subsequent offerings. Different Types of West Virginia Accredited Investor Qualification and Verification Requirements for Reg D, Rule 506© Offerings: The Accredited investor qualification and verification requirements for Rule 506(c) offerings in West Virginia do not differ from the federal requirements established by the SEC. The same rules and guidelines apply to ensure consistency throughout the United States. However, additional state-specific regulations may exist that could impact the offering process, such as notice filings or other filing requirements. It is important for issuers to consult with legal counsel experienced in West Virginia securities laws to ensure compliance with any state-specific obligations.
