Global Employee Stock Plans

The ever-increasing integration of business across national borders, combined with greater financial awareness of the international workforce, has increased demand for multinational businesses to implement incentive plans in every country in which they operate.

We have extensive experience helping employers extend their employee stock plans to the countries in which they are investing for growth. This expertise includes knowledge of local tax and regulatory requirements in many of the fastest-growing economies.

We have helped numerous companies quickly assess the balance of compliance and financial risk against the cost of carrying out a full analysis of the issues in each country. This has enabled employers to make quick and informed decisions on how to implement their plans across borders, and in particular whether the plans should be adapted to benefit from local requirements for tax-advantaged status.

In the past few years, we have assisted clients on these issues in approximately 40 jurisdictions. Our approach is focused on providing clear outcomes in a defined timescale and at an appropriate cost.

Our larger international projects are usually coordinated by our Taxation & Benefits Practice Group teams in the US or the UK, using a network of our own offices and trusted lawyers at firms in other countries. This approach enables us to provide advice on issues including:

• Securities law compliance
• Exchange controls
• Employer and employee taxation
• Labor and employment law
• Language requirements
• Data protection

In the highly specialized world of international stock plans, our experience, global team and reputation for clarity and pragmatism combine to provide the best support available for clients’ international expansion.