In this month's issue: TEA Launches legal challenges in defense of ESOPs, commentary on regulatory overreach by TEA President & CEO Jim Bonham, new advocacy resources to help you engage this Employee Ownership Month, and much more.
The ESOP Association
ESOP Association Resources
Aug. 16
As part of President Biden’s legislative agenda, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 becomes law. Among the policies enacted, a new excise tax is imposed on stock repurchases – with bipartisan support, ESOPs were specifically excluded from this tax, protecting the ESOP structure that relies on stock repurchases and creating a new incentive to form ESOPs. ESOPs become eligible transactions under the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) loan program.
Aug. 12
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2022
The ESOP Association Statement on Final Passage of Inflation Reduction Act
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Inflation Reduction Act (HR 5376). It will now advance to President Biden and is expected to be signed into law in the next ten days.
August 12, 2022
The ESOP Association Statement on Final Passage of Inflation Reduction Act
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Inflation Reduction Act (HR 5376). It will now advance to President Biden and is expected to be signed into law in the next ten days.
Aug. 08
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 8, 2022
The ESOP Association Hails Senate Passage of Critical Provisions in Reconciliation Bill
The Senate-passed reconciliation bill in Congress, titled the Inflation Reduction Act (H.R. 5376), includes language promoted by The ESOP Association to protect employee stock ownership plans from new excise taxes on stock repurchases. This provision potentially paves the way for a tremendous financial incentive to form employee stock ownership plans.
August 8, 2022
The ESOP Association Hails Senate Passage of Critical Provisions in Reconciliation Bill
The Senate-passed reconciliation bill in Congress, titled the Inflation Reduction Act (H.R. 5376), includes language promoted by The ESOP Association to protect employee stock ownership plans from new excise taxes on stock repurchases. This provision potentially paves the way for a tremendous financial incentive to form employee stock ownership plans.
Chapter News, Resource
Jan. 31
Review of 2017 government relations efforts.
ESOP Blog, Resource
Jan. 31
I am hearing increasingly from certain thought leaders that current ESOP laws do not create “good” employee ownership plans.
Anytime we ESOP advocates encounter someone who takes such a view of ESOPs, we need to ask ourselves, “Why does that person think ESOPs are not good employee ownership plans?” When we know the answer, we can counter the ESOP cynic’s point of view.
In my experience, there are three main criticisms of ESOPs. I’ll deal with each one in a separate blog post.
The first criticism maintains that ESOPs are bad retirement plans.
Anytime we ESOP advocates encounter someone who takes such a view of ESOPs, we need to ask ourselves, “Why does that person think ESOPs are not good employee ownership plans?” When we know the answer, we can counter the ESOP cynic’s point of view.
In my experience, there are three main criticisms of ESOPs. I’ll deal with each one in a separate blog post.
The first criticism maintains that ESOPs are bad retirement plans.
Resource, Press Releases
Jan. 21
For more than 28 years, Employee Ownership Month has been an opportunity for ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) companies across the nation to educate employee owners and the public about the undeniable benefits of employee ownership for employees, their companies, their communities, and the nation.
ESOP Blog, Resource
Jan. 17
For some time now, the data have shown that businesses with employee stock ownership are clearly better than conventionally owned companies at retaining employees. But new insights gleaned from existing research data show that, over a period of 12 years, businesses with employee stock ownership have gotten increasingly and dramatically better than conventionally owned firms at retaining employees.
How much better? Try 235 percent better!
How much better? Try 235 percent better!
Resource, ESOP Report, Legal Update, Ownership Advantage, Washington Report, DOL, Foundation, Compliance Testing, Communication, EBSA, Employee Ownership Month
Jan. 10
Shifting views on personal property just might open the door to greater employee ownership.
ESOP Blog, Resource
Jan. 03
It would be easy for us to sit back and bask in the comfortable knowledge that the Congressional tax committees did not draft tax reform measures that negatively affect ESOPs.
Certainly, that is good news. But we can’t let that recent success cause us to remain ignorant of the fact there remain plenty of people who do not believe in the things that we believe—that ESOPs are good for our nation, our companies, and employees.
Sometimes that dislike for ESOPs can be harder to spot, because it is hidden under an apparent love for different forms of employee ownership.
Certainly, that is good news. But we can’t let that recent success cause us to remain ignorant of the fact there remain plenty of people who do not believe in the things that we believe—that ESOPs are good for our nation, our companies, and employees.
Sometimes that dislike for ESOPs can be harder to spot, because it is hidden under an apparent love for different forms of employee ownership.