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  • videocam On-Demand Webinar
  • signal_cellular_alt Intermediate
  • card_travel ERISA
  • schedule 90 minutes

IRC 83(i) Election for Qualified Equity Grants: Deferral Opportunities for Stock Options and RSUs

Determining 80% Employee Threshold, Mechanics of Election, Tax Treatment of Deferrals

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About the Course

Introduction

This CLE/CPE course will provide tax advisers with a practical guide to the deferral benefits of Section 83(i) qualified equity grant election contained in the 2017 tax reform law. The panel will detail what constitutes a qualified grant of stock eligible for deferral treatment, discuss the mechanics of making the election, and describe the latest IRS guidance. The webinar will also detail potential drawbacks that firms and employees should consider when making the election.

Description

Section 83(i) allows eligible private companies to adopt qualified equity grant plans for issuing stock options or restricted stock units (RSUs) to eligible employees in exchange for the performance of services. A significant advantage of this election is that it requires no income tax payment when granted and allows the employee to defer income taxation for a period of up to five years after vesting. Additionally, the vested stock immediately qualifies for long-term capital gains treatment.

Section 83(i) requires companies to offer equity grants to 80 percent of their eligible employees. Employers considering implementing a qualifying grant program face several additional administrative and potential financial burdens, including meeting plan qualifications, complying with 83(i) notification requirements, and satisfying any applicable tax withholding requirements.

Employee concerns include timely and appropriately making the election and paying the employment taxes at the time of the option or RSU grant. Recipients also face the possibility that the value of the stock will decrease during the deferral period.

Listen as the panel discusses the eligibility requirements under 83(i), the mechanics of making the election, and its risks and rewards.

Presented By

J. Marc Fosse
Partner
Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Mr. Fosse focuses on all the tax, securities, corporate and accounting issues related to executive and equity compensation arrangements. He works with publicly traded, private, non-profit and government clients in the design, implementation and operation of domestic and international executive nonqualified and supplemental deferred compensation plans, as well as equity-based and other long-term incentive compensation arrangements. Mr. Fosse regularly advises clients regarding handling employee benefit matters in corporate mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, initial public offerings and other corporate transactions.

J. Marc Fosse
Trucker Huss, APC
Andrew L. Oringer
Partner, General Counsel
The Wagner Law Group, LLP

Mr. Oringer heads the firm’s New York office and serves as its General Counsel. His expertise extends to a broad array of issues relating to ERISA and executive compensation. Mr. Oringer advises clients regarding their pension and welfare plans and arrangements, benefits-related tax matters and fiduciary issues arising in connection with the investment of plan assets and has extensive experience with executive compensation representing employers as well as individual executives. His advice to clients encompasses all aspects of corporate transactions and initial public offerings in which benefits and compensation issues play a central part. Mr. Oringer regularly counsels financial institutions and plan fiduciaries regarding investments and has been instrumental in designing intricate investment structures to address complex ERISA issues. As General Counsel, he addresses a variety of ethical issues impacting an ever-growing law firm. Nationally known for his experience with ERISA and matters relating to executive compensation, Mr. Oringer is a frequent speaker and writer on a wide variety of topics. He has been quoted in numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Financial Times, Crain’s Pensions & Investments, Newsday, USA Today, The Chicago Sun Times and Law360. Mr. Oringer has authored, co-authored or contributed to numerous bar comment letters and reports to regulators, and has testified at the request of Congress and before the Department of Labor.

Andrew Oringer
Partner
Dechert LLP
Stefan P. Smith
Partner
BakerHostetler

Mr. Smith utilizes his in-depth background in employee benefits and executive compensation law to advise public and private companies on establishing and ensuring the continued compliance of tax-qualified defined contribution and defined benefit retirement plans and all forms of executive compensation arrangements. He counsels clients on employee benefits matters that arise during mergers and acquisitions, finding solutions, and helping the deals to move forward. He also works with various health and welfare plans and executive and equity-based compensation. These include incentive and non-qualified stock options, restricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights, employee stock purchase plans, profits interests, phantom equity, performance unit and bonus plans, SERPs and other excess benefit plans, and non-qualified deferred compensation plans. 

Stefan Smith
Partner
Lock Lorde, LLP
Credit Information
  • This 90-minute webinar is eligible in most states for 1.5 CLE credits.

  • CPE credit is not available on recordings.

  • BARBRI is a NASBA CPE sponsor and this 90-minute webinar is accredited for 1.5 CPE credits.

  • BARBRI is an IRS-approved continuing education provider offering certified courses for Enrolled Agents (EA) and Tax Return Preparers (RTRP).


  • Live Online


    On Demand

Date + Time

  • event

    Thursday, November 19, 2020

  • schedule

    1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT

  1. Basic elements of the Section 83(i) election
  2. Eligibility
  3. Withholding and notice
  4. Possible pitfalls
The panel will review these and other significant concepts:
  • Adopting a qualified equity grant plan
  • Employee eligibility and inclusion
  • Taxation of the deferred transfer
  • Risks of the election
  • Practical administrative issues

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Identify eligible companies
  • Recognize situations where the 83(i) election applies
  • Ascertain employees eligible to make the election
  • Determine the tax impact of making the election
  • Field of Study: Taxes
  • Level of Knowledge: Intermediate
  • Advance Preparation: None
  • Teaching Method: Seminar/Lecture
  • Delivery Method: Group-Internet (via computer)
  • Attendance Monitoring Method: Attendance is monitored electronically via a participant's PIN and through a series of attendance verification prompts displayed throughout the program
  • Prerequisite: Three years+ business or public firm experience at mid-level within the organization, preparing complex audits and schedules; supervisory authority over other auditors/accountants. Knowledge and understanding of Section 83(l) elections, tax treatment of deferred compensation and stock options; familiarity with IRS IRS and Department of Labor audit procedures and enforcement.

BARBRI, Inc. is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of Accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE Credits. Complaints regarding registered sponsons may be submitted to NASBA through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.

IRS Approved Provider

BARBRI is an IRS-approved continuing education provider offering certified courses for Enrolled Agents (EA) and Tax Return Preparers (RTRP).

BARBRI CE webinars-powered by Barbri-are backed by our 100% unconditional money-back guarantee: If you are not satisfied with any of our products, simply let us know and get a full refund. Contact us at 1-800-926-7926 .