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The Employee Ownership Action Network (EOAN) is a free-to-join, grassroots advocacy movement for anyone with a stake in ensuring employee ownership continues to grow and thrive in the US.
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What Our Members Have to Say
“Membership in The ESOP Association is vital to an ESOP owned company. The advocacy and education services are invaluable and are not duplicated by any other organization.”
-David Kelly, CFO at Acadian Ambulance Service Inc.
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The Employee Owned Conference, attended annually by more than 2,000 employee-owners, thought leaders, and professional advisors, is the largest ESOP conference in the world.
Upcoming events
- Resources
The #EO Solution
The ESOP Association and Project Equity have partnered to create state -by-state data that amplifies employee ownership as a common sense way to preserve businesses, strengthen jobs and build a more resilient post-pandemic economy.
ESOP Association Resources
Forming an ESOP - A New Video Series on Business Succession Planning
Hear from ESOP companies in multiple different industries, and their seasoned advisors, about what an ESOP is and if it’s right for you.
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What is an ESOP?
An ESOP is a retirement plan—but also a way of living and running a company. For insights on both technical and cultural aspects of these plans—which provide benefits to employee owners, the company, the community, and exiting owners—and links to additional resources, see our web page titled What is an ESOP?
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The ESOP Association
ESOP Association Resources
Jul. 29
Welcome to the July issue of the ESOP Report. This month we feature a lot of information about employee engagement, growing a culture, and resources to help your ESOP.
Jul. 21
Yesterday the House of Representatives passed H.R. 8294, a package of six fiscal year 2023 federal appropriations bills. The six-bill package includes the FY 2023 Financial Services and General Government funding bill, whose related agencies like the Small Business Administration have regulatory oversight of some ESOP-related issues, and which includes provisions that will directly impact ESOPs and employee ownership in America.
Chapter News, Resource
Mar. 31
Recap of the chapter Annual Winter Conference; Government Relations update; list of Upcoming Events; welcome to new members Security Bank of Laurel and Kline Electric.
Chapter News, Resource
Mar. 31
Recap of the Spring Conference; welcome to our newest members; this month’s featured member; chapter ESOP Company of the Year and Employee Owner of the Year; legislative update; list of upcoming events.
ESOP Report, Legal Update, Ownership Advantage, President's Corner, Washington Report, Arbitration, National Conference, Resource
Mar. 01
National Conference offers great content for members of ESOP committees.
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.
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.