Experience of ESPP?

[rob oyle]

Have any employees of US companies had any experience with a ESPP scheme (that's Employee Share Purchase Program)?

My partner has the option of signing up for one and while I understood the Revenue approved schemes here for employees, I'm not familiar with the US equivalent. Been reading up so understand the basics, but more interested as to how to deal with issues such as minimum holding periods etc, which are required under IRS rules for tax purposes.

This is worth a read: [broken link removed]

 

[losttheplot]

We have one at work. Not aware of any minimum holding period for the IRS. The only dealing with them is for dividend tax. Relevant Tax on a Share Option (RTSO) must be paid here within 30 days of the shares being purchased (whether you hold or sell). Any further gains are liable to CGT. You need to complete a W-BEN8 form to pay a reduced rate of US tax. You also become an "assessible person" (not sure if that's the right term) and will need to file a tax return each year.

RTSO seems to be only payable by cheque or postal order.