Newsletter - Spring 2013

Introduction »

Enterprising employees

On 8 October 2012 the Government announced its intention to introduce a new ‘employee shareholder’ employment status. Individuals adopting the status will receive between £2,000 and £50,000 of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exempt shares. They will have to give up certain employment rights in exchange for shares in the employer company.

The normal tax and National Insurance rules attaching to shares acquired by reason of employment will apply, including corporation tax relief and no stamp duty payable on issue. The shares will be valued according to their unrestricted market value at the time they are awarded and the company would have to buy them back at a reasonable value on surrender.

In exchange

The rights that will have to be given up will include employment rights for unfair dismissal in some cases, certain rights to request flexible working and training and statutory redundancy entitlement. Additionally 16 weeks’ notice of the intention to return early from maternity or adoption leave (compared to 8 weeks’ notice for other employees) will have to be given.

Employers can choose to operate this new employment status. All types of shares will be eligible for use and will take effect as part of a contractual arrangement between employer and the employee. Companies of any size will be able to use this status.

If you are interested in discussing this further please contact us for further information.

Introduction »