After a concerted effort, Congress and the Administration are persuaded to improve the 1996 Subchapter S ESOP Law, and beginning in 1998 it becomes allowable for Subchapter S Corporations to sponsor an ESOP. Previously, S-corporations could not sponsor ESOPs because qualified retirement plans could not own stock in the sponsoring company.
The ESOP Association
ESOP Association Resources
Dec. 19
When early drafts of the 1989 deficit reduction bill included eliminating the deduction of dividends paid on ESOP stock, The ESOP Association successfully fights to preserve the deductibility of dividends.
Oct. 22
Building upon the 1984 law, the Tax Reform Act of 1986 strengthens tax incentives for ESOPs. Deductibility of dividends on ESOP stock paid to plan participants AND deductibility of dividends used to pay debt are included in the landmark bill which overhauled the U.S. tax code.
Jul. 19
Several major tax incentives for ESOPs become law in the 1984 tax act, including:
Deductible dividends paid on ESOP stock.
Tax-free rollover for gains on stock sold to an ESOP.
Deductible dividends paid on ESOP stock.
Tax-free rollover for gains on stock sold to an ESOP.
Sep. 13
1981 tax law changes include a special level of new tax deductible contributions of 25 percent of pay, plus interest, for leveraged ESOPs.
Sep. 02
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) passes to address public concern that private pension plan funds were being mismanaged, and officially recognizes employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). While employee ownership and equity (stock) plans have existed prior to this point, ERISA launches them formally as qualified retirement plans (QRPs) under federal law thereby subjecting them to regulation by the U.S. Department of Labor and the IRS.