Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Encyclopedia
In the United States
, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) is a tax-efficient
means by which employees of a corporation can purchase the corporation's stock
, often at a discount. For example, the discount might be 10% off on the stock's fair value market price at a certain date as determined by the plan.
Employees contribute to the plan through payroll deductions, which build up between the offering date and the purchase date. At the purchase date, the company uses the accumulated funds to purchase shares in the company on behalf of the participating employees. The amount of the discount depends on the specific plan but can be as much as 15% lower than the market price.
Depending when you sell the shares, the disposition will be classified as either qualified or not qualified. If the position is sold two years after the offering date and at least one year after the purchase date, the shares will fall under a qualified disposition. If the shares are sold within two years of the offering date or one year after the purchase date the disposition will not be qualified. These positions will have different tax implications.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) is a tax-efficient
Taxation in the United States
The United States is a federal republic with autonomous state and local governments. Taxes are imposed in the United States at each of these levels. These include taxes on income, property, sales, imports, payroll, estates and gifts, as well as various fees.Taxes are imposed on net income of...
means by which employees of a corporation can purchase the corporation's stock
Stock
The capital stock of a business entity represents the original capital paid into or invested in the business by its founders. It serves as a security for the creditors of a business since it cannot be withdrawn to the detriment of the creditors...
, often at a discount. For example, the discount might be 10% off on the stock's fair value market price at a certain date as determined by the plan.
Employees contribute to the plan through payroll deductions, which build up between the offering date and the purchase date. At the purchase date, the company uses the accumulated funds to purchase shares in the company on behalf of the participating employees. The amount of the discount depends on the specific plan but can be as much as 15% lower than the market price.
Depending when you sell the shares, the disposition will be classified as either qualified or not qualified. If the position is sold two years after the offering date and at least one year after the purchase date, the shares will fall under a qualified disposition. If the shares are sold within two years of the offering date or one year after the purchase date the disposition will not be qualified. These positions will have different tax implications.
External links
- The requirements for setting up an ESPP is given in Title 26 § 423
- An example of calculating taxable income is given in IRS Pub 525 (2006).
- More guidance can be read at IRS Publication 15b (2006).
- Taxation of ESPP sales http://turbotax.intuit.com/tax_help/employee_stock_purchase_plans_turbotax/article