u/AnonAnonAnon12131

I’m moving into a CA-based Software Engineer role. I submitted my background check, and First Advantage is now flagging a startup I worked at. They want W2s or Tax Documents to verify my employment.

The complications:

1. The company has a very thin online presence (AI-generated site, no socials, private GitHub).
2. This technically was a contract role but I never explicitly stated it. This was an honest mistake but maybe I can just mention in a "Letter of Explanation"?
3. First Advantage likely won’t be able to find this company in any standard database.

Some other details:

• I do have an email exchange with the founder and he signed some monthly PDF contracts but this isn't for all the months I've been there.
• Since I technically was a contractor for them and I do have a registered sole proprietor freelancing business, I could leverage that and say that they were my client which is honestly the situation.

Questions:

1. Should I upload a Letter of Explanation or something else? What should I say?
2. Should I email my recruiter about all this? I'm worried if I my recruiter with all this complicated information, I'll come across as nervous and untrustworthy and could get the offer rescinded.

My current game plan (edited):

• Upload bank statements showing the Zelle transfers

with other transactions redacted.

• Upload

contract
• ⁠Upload “Explanation” document saying this was a contract role and thus I don’t have the W2 or 1099.

• Don't email the recruiter