A quick glance at the results of the mid-term elections might leave one feeling that the ESOP community will face challenging days ahead. Certainly the retirement and defeat of key ESOP advocates in Congress—primarily in the House, where tax laws originate—pose a challenge. But there is good news too.
The "Bad" News
First, let’s look at the more challenging news.
We will lose some crucial, long-time ESOP Advocates next year.
The ESOP Association
ESOP Association Resources
Resource, ESOP Report, Legal Update, Ownership Advantage, Washington Report, Economic Performance Survey, Valuation, Insufficient Assets, Employee Ownership Month
Nov. 01
Members of The ESOP Association and the public show even greater interest in celebrating Employee Ownership Month.
ESOP Blog, Resource
Jul. 31
You can never have too many friends in Congress. Politics is inherently changeable, and while it may seem that members of Congress have a job for life, in every session many are replaced—sometimes unexpectedly.
Some announce their retirement while others are defeated in primaries or elections. Some resign for health concerns and some leave for other factors entirely. Whatever the reason, a significant number of elected officials don’t return the following session.
Some announce their retirement while others are defeated in primaries or elections. Some resign for health concerns and some leave for other factors entirely. Whatever the reason, a significant number of elected officials don’t return the following session.
Chapter News, Resource
Jul. 31
Legislative meetings at Annual Conference; legislation update; legislative handouts.
Resource, ESOP Report, Legal Update, Ownership Advantage, Washington Report, President's Page, ESOP PAC, Former Employee
Jul. 01
The ESOP Association takes ESOP advocacy overseas.
ESOP Blog, Resource
Feb. 28
In this, our final installment on common criticisms of ESOPs—and why they are wrong—we’ll look at the assertion that ESOPs are not real ownership.
According to cynics, ESOPs are “fake” ownership plans. In “real” ownership, they argue, the owners control their assets by determining such things as who runs the company, who sits on the Board of Directors, when major corporate decisions are made that might impact the future of the company, and so on.
But ESOPs are true ownership.
According to cynics, ESOPs are “fake” ownership plans. In “real” ownership, they argue, the owners control their assets by determining such things as who runs the company, who sits on the Board of Directors, when major corporate decisions are made that might impact the future of the company, and so on.
But ESOPs are true ownership.
ESOP Blog, Resource
Feb. 14
I often hear three criticisms about ESOPs: The second criticism is that ESOPs are a waste of taxpayers’ money.
Cynics say the tax breaks provided to ESOPs are money losers because the majority of American taxpayers pay higher rates to make up for the cost of ESOP tax benefits.
But anyone who says that must not have done very well in elementary school when they learned basic math. ESOPs offer great returns on tax incentives.
Cynics say the tax breaks provided to ESOPs are money losers because the majority of American taxpayers pay higher rates to make up for the cost of ESOP tax benefits.
But anyone who says that must not have done very well in elementary school when they learned basic math. ESOPs offer great returns on tax incentives.
Resource, ESOP Report, Legal Update, Ownership Advantage, Washington Report, President's Page, Valuation, Beneficiary Designation
Feb. 01
The Impact of Tax Reform on ESOP C and S Corporation Business Valuations.
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.