Understanding employee stock purchase plans
E*TRADE Securities
02/28/19Participating in an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) can be an important part of your overall financial picture. Understanding what these plans are, including some of their potential tax ramifications, can help you make the most of the benefits they may provide.
How does an ESPP work?
An ESPP is a stock ownership plan that allows you to purchase shares of your company’s stock, usually at a discount, with funds deducted from your paychecks. ESPP shares are yours as soon as the stock purchase is completed. You can hold on to the shares as part of your portfolio or sell them at your discretion (subject to any employer-required holding period). Typically, only full-time, permanent employees are eligible to participate in an ESPP program. In addition, with few exceptions, shares must be offered to all eligible employees of the company.
Know the types of ESPPs
Qualified
An ESPP that qualifies under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) allows employees to purchase company stock at a discount and postpone recognition of tax on the discount until the shares are sold. Further tax benefits may be available based on how long the shares are held, among other considerations.
Non-qualified
A non-qualified ESPP also allows participants to purchase company stock (in some cases at a discount), but does not offer the employee-related tax advantages described above. Unlike a qualified plan, applicable taxes on non-qualified ESPP shares are due at purchase.
Things to know about your company’s ESPP
1. Enrolling in your company’s ESPP
During the enrollment period you will be able to specify your contribution, either a fixed dollar amount or a percentage of your paycheck, depending on your company’s plan. Your contribution will be automatically deducted from your paycheck. Depending on the design of your company’s ESPP, certain earnings may not be included when calculating your ESPP contribution.
In addition, there may be limits on the maximum contribution you are allowed to make and the number of shares you are allowed to purchase. Information on the limitations and structure of your plan should be contained in your company’s plan documentation. Check with your company’s plan administrator if you have questions.
2. Offering/purchase period
The offering/purchase period is a predetermined length of time during which after-tax contributions are collected via a payroll deduction.
3. Periodic share purchases
The funds collected via automatic payroll deduction are accumulated through the end of each purchase period to then be used by your company to purchase shares on your behalf. Under many plans, the purchase price is set at a discount to the stock price on the purchase date (at the company’s discretion) of up to a maximum of 15% for qualified plans. Companies may also offer a “look-back” provision, which compares the share price at the beginning of the offering period and the share price on the purchase date and uses the lower value to calculate your purchase price. Shares will be purchased at predetermined points either during or following the offering/purchase period. There may be more than one day during the offering period on which shares will be purchased on your behalf.
Example: $1,000 contribution with a 15% discount on the purchase and a look-back provision

Flexibility to choose
Many plans allow you to modify your contribution during the offering period. Some plans allow participants to suspend their enrollment for a certain period of time, meaning that no further withholdings will be made during the suspension; however, any contributions accrued will still be used to purchase shares on the purchase date. Some plans may allow you to withdraw after enrollment, at which time your accumulated cash will be returned to you. Each plan is unique, so please refer to your plan document for details.
US tax considerations
The following tax sections relate to US tax payers and provide general information. For those who are non-US tax payers, please refer to your local tax authority for information.
Before you take action on your shares, you’ll want to carefully consider the tax consequences. The information contained in this document is for informational purposes only. Tax treatment depends on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the type of award. For advice on your personal financial situation, please consult a tax advisor.
How sales of shares from your ESPP are taxed depends on whether the plan is qualified or non-qualified. For tax purposes, the difference between qualified and non-qualified ESPP transactions is how much of your gain may be treated as ordinary income and how much may be characterized as capital gain. Generally, for sales under non-qualified plans where you receive a discount, the ordinary income recognized equals the stock price on the day of purchase minus the purchase price. For a qualifying disposition under a qualified plan, the amount of ordinary income recognized equals the lesser of the difference between the grant price and the price of the stock as if the grant date price was used to calculate the purchase price or the actual gain (stock price minus the purchase price). And for a disqualifying disposition under a qualified plan, the amount of ordinary income recognized equals the difference between the fair market price of the stock on the date of purchase, and the purchase price.
The sale of shares purchased as part of a qualified ESPP is categorized as either qualifying or disqualifying based on a holding period, among other requirements. To be considered a qualifying disposition, two requirements must be met:
- The disposition occurs more than two years after the grant date, and
- The disposition occurs more than one year after the purchase date
Qualifying disposition
- Sell, transfer, or gift your shares after the end of the specified holding period
- A portion of the gain (if any) is taxable as ordinary income and the rest as long-term capital gain
- In most cases, more of the gain will be taxable as a long-term capital gain and less will be taxable as ordinary income than would occur in a disqualifying disposition
- Typically offers benefits to the taxpayer because the capital gain tax rates may be lower than the rate at which the ordinary income is taxed
Disqualifying disposition
- Sell, transfer, or gift your shares prior to the end of the specified holding period
- Ordinary income equals the difference between the stock price of the shares on your purchase date and the purchase price
- Any additional gain is typically taxable as short-term or long-term capital gain
Consult with a tax professional for details on your specific situation.
Capital gains and losses holding period
A gain/loss will typically be treated as short-term if the stock has been held for one year or less, and long-term if the stock has been held for more than one year.
Selling your shares
Once ESPP shares have been purchased, you can sell them at your discretion (outside of any company-imposed trading restrictions or blackout periods). Follow these steps to create an order to sell your shares:
Create order
- Log on to etrade.com. From the Stock Plan Overview page, click the Sell tab
- Choose your price type by selecting one of the following:
- Market: “I want to sell at the next available price”
- Limit: “I’m willing to wait until the stock reaches a specific price.” This type of order can be good for one day only, or “good-until-canceled.”
- Enter the number of shares you would like to sell from each of your tranches
- Select how you would like to receive your proceeds
Preview order
- Estimate your proceeds by clicking the Preview Order button
- From the Preview Order page, click Place Order; or change it using the Change Order button
Confirm order
You will receive a confirmation that your order has been placed
We’ll alert you when your order has been executed and when settlement occurs.
You can also track your order status on the Orders screen (Stock Plan > My Account > Orders) on etrade.com.
Have questions?
Customer Service is available Monday to Friday, 24 hours a day, online at etrade.com/service or call us at 800-838-0908. From outside the US or Canada, go to etrade.com/contact to identify the phone number for your country. One of our dedicated professionals will be happy to assist you.