TikTok employees are facing significant U.S. tax bills for shares they are unable to sell, highlighting the complexities of startup compensation packages and underscoring a 'Startup lottery 101' scenario. This situation has sparked discussions about the need for employees to seek independent financial advice. Concurrently, there has been a surge in cautionary advice from financial professionals regarding the use of TikTok for tax guidance. Experts warn that misleading tax tips circulating on the platform, as noted by Krystal Todd on TikTok, could lead to serious financial consequences, including fines from the IRS. This trend underscores the importance of consulting qualified professionals for financial and tax advice.