FY 2017 Budget Proposal Would Tax ESOP Dividends Twice

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - February 10, 2016) -  The ESOP Association today expressed strong opposition to an element of the Administration's Fiscal Year 2017 recommended budget, which would eliminate an incentive for public companies that let workers own part of the business via an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).

Since 1985, individuals who work for a company that offers an ESOP have avoided double taxation on the dividends they receive. The Administration's proposal would eliminate that incentive, thereby hurting companies and employees alike.

The current Administration has offered this provision each year it has been in office. This track record is surprising given that employee ownership helps achieve exactly the kinds of economic results the Administration seeks, says J. Michael Keeling, President of The ESOP Association.

"The evidence in favor of employee ownership is overwhelmingly persuasive," says Keeling. "Companies with employee stock ownership are more productive, more profitable, and provide jobs that are more sustainable than companies that are conventionally owned."

He also points out that the incentives in question have stood the test of time since Congress enacted them in 1984.

"For over 30 years, Congressional tax committees have examined this incentive, which encourages American businesses to turn employees into owners. And each year, those committees -- which are, by definition, bi-partisan -- determined that avoiding double taxation on ESOP dividends is too valuable to be weakened or eliminated."

Congressional support for ESOP tax incentives continues unabated today.

"Congress has rejected this proposal from the Administration for eight years, and we expect the same result in 2016," said Keeling.

The ESOP Association is the national trade association for companies with employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and the leading voice in America for employee ownership. The ESOP Association believes that employee ownership will improve American competitiveness, increase productivity through greater employee participation, and strengthen our free enterprise economy. For more information, visit The Association's website (www.esopassociation.org) and blog (www.esopassociationblog.org).