[tptacek]

try this: ask for $50 to $100 worth of equity for every $1 of salary offset

You take that number from their last valuation?

[7Figures2Commas]

Of course. In the US you can't get around 409A.

As a prospective employee, if you fundamentally believe that the company's latest 409A valuation is already too rich and equity is important to you, don't join the company.