The results of this year's Economic Performance Survey (EPS) show that, once again, companies belonging to the ESOP Association have experienced positive corporate performance.

A nationwide grassroots effort stops a push to limit the tax benefits of S corporations sponsoring ESOPs. Instead, Congress approves an initiative sponsored by The ESOP Association to expand the tax deduction paid on ESOP stock. Various pro-ESOP proposals become law upon enactment of the popular ERISA reform legislation.

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.

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.

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.

The Annual newsletter from the California/Western States Chapter. 2015, A Year in Pictures includes the 2015-2016 awards winners, media from 2015, and the conference highlights from 2015's UNITED FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE CAWS Chapter Conference.

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.

The ESOP Association, the only organization that advocates on behalf of all ESOP companies, applauds Senators Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) for introducing 

Washington, DC, February 7, 2019 – The ESOP Association (TEA) announced today that James J.