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Comparison of share schemes

Produced by Tolley in association with
Employment Tax
Guidance

Comparison of share schemes

Produced by Tolley in association with
Employment Tax
Guidance
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With four types of tax-advantaged share scheme available, plus numerous other non-advantaged alternatives, it can be difficult for an employer to decide on the best choice for their own situation.

There are a number of simple differentiations that can offer a starting point:

  1. •

    is this scheme available to all employees or a selected few?

  2. •

    are shares to be offered immediately?

  3. •

    would share options be preferable?

  4. •

    is tax saving a major consideration?

  5. •

    is the company willing to accept significant upfront cost and future administrative commitment?

Tax-advantaged schemes

There are currently four types of tax-advantaged share scheme, with varying conditions and requirements. Many of the requirements and restrictions are harmonised across the schemes, but differences remain. These are described in more detail in the guidance notes on each individual scheme. Enterprise management incentive (EMI) plans and company share option plans (CSOP) are both selective which means that companies can choose which employees can participate in the plan and to what extent. Share incentive plans (SIPs) and save as you earn (SAYE)

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Stephen Diosi
Stephen Diosi

Head of Employee Incentives, Mishcon de Reya LLP , Employment Tax


Stephen leads the Employee Incentives team at Mishcon de Reya. He has significant experience advising on the strategy, design, implementation and compliance of UK and global employee incentive arrangements, including long term incentive plans, all-employee share plans, HM Revenue and Customs tax-advantaged plans, management incentive plans and growth share and joint ownership plans. Stephen also advises on all related corporate, tax and trusts aspects, corporate governance issues, disclosure of directors' remuneration and share dealing regulations.In addition, Stephen works with companies on the impact that corporate actions have on their incentive arrangements and has acted on many public takeovers, mergers and acquisition, public to private transactions, initial public offerings, capital raising activities and private equity deals.Stephen also advises on contractual disputes and tax investigations relevant to incentives arrangements.Stephen works with a wide range of businesses across several industry sectors, including financial services, natural resources, entertainment, aerospace and transport and for companies that are listed on the London Stock Exchange, AIM and overseas exchanges, together with private equity houses, private companies and owner-managed businesses.

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