SHARE OPTION SCHEMES

The extra cost to employers of providing share schemes for their employees may cause many of companies to scale back on them, The Sunday Business Post reports.

The precise details are not yet known but it is expected share schemes will incur a 10.75% PRSI charge for employers from January 1 – employees are also expected to be hit.

“The application of employers’ PRSI to all share awards is a significant increase in the cost of providing such schemes,” said Nora Ward, a consultant with A&L Goodbody. “Employers may have to consider scaling back the amounts available for investment in such schemes to reduce overall employer costs.”

Ward also advises anyone with options they can exercise to consider doing so by the end of the year, as it is unclear what the tax treatment on any profits arising from them will be from January 1.