Running a company is always challenging, with all the tasks that need to be done. You need a motivated, loyal, and productive workforce to help and maximize the company’s resources and output. However, motivating and retaining great employees can challenging, considering the number of salaries and other benefits you have to pay them in exchange for their services. This is where an Employee Share Option Plan (ESOP) comes into play.
If this is the first time that you’ve heard of this concept, no worries. This article summarizes what ESOP is and how it can help business owners like you.
What is an Employee Share Option Plan?
Benefits Of An Employee Share Option
What is an Employee Share Option Plan?
Simply put, an Employee Share Option Plan or ESOP is when a company offers its employees the option to buy a specific number of shares in the company, at a specified price that is typically lower than the market price, within a particular date.
In other words, this is a share option allows employees to have an ownership interest in the company they’re working for. There are two types of share options that can be offered:
- Incentive Stock Option (ISO) – This type of option allows an employee to get rid of taxes on the shares they own until the shares are sold. After getting the option grant, they will hold the stock for at least two years, and after a year of exercising the option, they can be eligible for a long-term 20% capital gains tax. This option is not transferable to anyone, even within the family.
- Non-Qualified Stock Option (NSO) – This type of share option requires an employee to pay an income tax on the difference between the price at which you avail of the option and the grant price. Further, the employer can agree if the employee wants to transfer the shares to the employee’s offspring.
Alan Joseph
Benefits Of An Employee Share Option
With that general idea of what ESOP is, you now want to know how an employee share option benefits your company. The four (4) most common benefits of granting an Employee Share Option Plan to your workforce are summarized here.
1. Attract And Retain Talented Employees
In today’s world, hiring and keeping talented employees is never easy. With the fierce competition in the business world, companies are competing with one another to get the staff they want for their company. Aside from attracting the best applicants, offering employee share option plans can also motivate workers to give their best, knowing that their output affects their shares.
Ideally, with an employee benefit plan such as ESOP in place, applicants will be attracted to join the company while current employees will be inspired to work and stay longer. Considering the fact that they have an ownership interest in the company, they will tend to be more loyal and committed to their job and for a longer time. As a result, your organization will be more productive and prosperous today and in the coming years as your employees work together in helping the company grow.
2. Boost Employee Morale
Having shares in the company in which they’re working can help boost the employees’ morale. Instead of seeing themselves as salaried personnel, they’ll feel like they’re owners of the organization and that they have a say over important aspects. They’ll become more inspired and committed to the best interests of the company considering that one of the benefits of availing the ESOP is that they will get a share of the company’s profits in the form of dividends.
3. Cost-Effective
As mentioned, most companies are looking for ways to reduce the costs of employee benefits, searching for less-cost solutions that offer high value for their staff. This is how offering ESOP becomes an ideal addition to employee benefits.
Although these share option plans for employees are rarely considered as an alternative for compensation, they’re still a good part of your company’s benefits packages because they can make employment opportunities in your company more appealing.
Despite the lost chance to sell the shares at the best market price and the cost of executing the plan, you can still get the most out of this benefit option by keeping staff motivated and loyal to stay with the company.
If you’re a small business owner, administering ESOP can be a cost-effective way of competing with more prominent corporations in your area.
4. Offers Tax Advantages
Including employee share option plans in your employees’ benefits program comes with some tax benefits for your business. Generally, not until they’re exercised, ESOPs are considered worthless on your company’s book of accounts. This means that you’re not required to list down these options pending as a cost.
Moreover, once the employees exercise their options, your organization is authorized to deduct a tax that equivalent to the difference between the market price and the strike price (fixed price at which the owner can buy the shares) as compensation expense.
Parnas Ghosh
Takeaways
As you can see, ESOPs can be a perfect tool for businesses that are looking to attract the best talents, and for those who want their business to grow and succeed. For your convenience, this article summarizes information for you to know when you should consider ESOP for your business and more importantly, to convince people about the growth potential of your company.
FAQs
What is an ESOP?
An Employee Share Option Plan is when a company offers its employees the option to buy a specific number of shares in the company, at a specified price that is typically lower than the market price, within a particular date.
What are the pros of offering employee stock options?
- ESOP acts as a tool of motivation for the employees that once they own a stock they feel responsible for the performance of the company, as it determines the value of the stocks of the company.
- It helps the employer to retain the company and assure a good level of performance in the work.
How do I avoid tax on ESOP?
To avoid paying taxes and potential penalties consider a rollover for your ESOP distribution. The rollover process takes place when tax-deferred funds from your ESOP are transferred to another tax deferred account such as an IRA or 401(k).
How ESOP is taxed?
The shares is short-term when held for less than 3 years and long-term when sold after 3 years. The period of holding begins from the exercise date up to the date of sale.
What is the full form of ESOP?
The full form of ESOP is an employee share 0ption plan.
Sandhya Raju
Author: Lakshya Singh
Source : https://startuptalky.com/benefits-of-esop/
Date : 2021-04-18T11:30:00.000Z
Thanks For Sharing. Especia Associates provide ESOP Services. Equity ESOP shares of the company at a pre-determined price. It is a kind of benefit plan for the employees to become the owners of the company and also serves as an important tool to attract and retain talent in the organization.ESOPs can be issued as profit-sharing plans, bonuses, or direct stock. In India, several laws and regulations govern the issuance of ESOPs. if you need ESOP Services call at 9310165114 or visit us ESOP Services
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