Framework Provided to Dept. of Labor, Congress, and White House as a Model for Fair, Transparent Regulation to Grow ESOPs While Safeguarding Employee Interests
Model Regulation is Work Product of Effort by Leading ESOP Experts and Vetted by Key Stakeholders Across Valuation, Legal, Finance, and Trustee Disciplines
The ESOP Association
ESOP Association Resources
Aug. 09
Notice to Taxpayers is Heavy on Innuendo, Light on Specifics
WASHINGTON, DC – The Internal Revenue Service today issued a statement suggesting a greater focus in the next year on S-Corp ESOPs and tax compliance, particularly for companies with a parent holding or management company structure and certain owner finance arrangements. While very short on specifics, the IRS communication appears to be driven by aggressive marketing of ESOP plans by some, although the IRS provides no specific examples of where an ESOP has been used in the manner they suggest.
WASHINGTON, DC – The Internal Revenue Service today issued a statement suggesting a greater focus in the next year on S-Corp ESOPs and tax compliance, particularly for companies with a parent holding or management company structure and certain owner finance arrangements. While very short on specifics, the IRS communication appears to be driven by aggressive marketing of ESOP plans by some, although the IRS provides no specific examples of where an ESOP has been used in the manner they suggest.
Jul. 31
On a very strong 24-2 bipartisan vote, the Senate Appropriations Committee has passed the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for the 2024 Fiscal Year that begins October 1. As one of 12 annual spending bills Congress must pass before the end of September, this is the initial step in funding the U.S. Department of Labor for the next year.
Jul. 11
Longstanding Priority of The ESOP Association Includes Creation of a New Division at DOL Specifically Tasked With Growing Employee Ownership in America
Jun. 01
U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, have sent a bipartisan letter to Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su urging the Department of Labor to prioritize the WORK Act in its implementation of SECURE 2.0.
May. 16
Employee Equity Investment Act Would Expand Employee Ownership by Increasing Critical Access to Capital for ESOPs
Washington, D.C. – The ESOP Association today praised the introduction of the bipartisan Employee Equity Investment Act (EEIA) in the House and Senate.
The legislation aims to grow employee ownership in the U.S. by helping to dramatically improve the way new ESOPs are financed by providing much-needed access to capital, which has long been an impediment to new ESOP formation.
Washington, D.C. – The ESOP Association today praised the introduction of the bipartisan Employee Equity Investment Act (EEIA) in the House and Senate.
The legislation aims to grow employee ownership in the U.S. by helping to dramatically improve the way new ESOPs are financed by providing much-needed access to capital, which has long been an impediment to new ESOP formation.
Apr. 14
DOL Commits to Provide Long-Sought Regulatory Clarity with Stakeholder Input on the Valuation of Company Shares to be Bought by an ESOP
Washington, D.C., April 14, 2023 – In a major victory for Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), the U.S. Department of Labor has committed to move forward with a public notice and comment rulemaking on a key regulation the community has sought since ESOPs were first created in 1974. The regulation will clearly define Adequate Consideration under Section 408(e) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
Washington, D.C., April 14, 2023 – In a major victory for Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), the U.S. Department of Labor has committed to move forward with a public notice and comment rulemaking on a key regulation the community has sought since ESOPs were first created in 1974. The regulation will clearly define Adequate Consideration under Section 408(e) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
Dec. 20
Congressional negotiators early this morning released the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 which includes numerous top priority provisions sought by The ESOP Association on behalf of its membership.
Dec. 14
The ESOP Association released the following statement on the unexpected passing of Will Raap, a visionary leader in employee ownership, organic gardening, and locally sourced and sustainable food.
Dec. 07
The ESOP Association has been working with Congress during this congressional session on bipartisan retirement security legislation. That important legislation – which includes provisions that affect every ESOP and employee ownership in general – is being considered in the final days of the current Congress. If this bill, which was painstakingly negotiated and enjoys broad bipartisan support, doesn’t pass now, the entire legislative process must start over next year.