Stein Sperling’s tax attorneys help businesses manage the tax components of employee benefit plans and executive compensation packages. We are well-versed in the tax and business issues associated with incentive stock options, nonqualified options, restricted stock, “phantom equity” and stock appreciation rights. As businesses prepare for structural changes, such as mergers and acquisitions, we help owners anticipate and evaluate what impact these changes may have on benefit plans. Our attorneys also advise clients on the issuance of stock, partnership interests and limited liability company membership interests to assist in retention of key employees.
Throughout the planning and implementation phases of compensation and benefits plans, our tax attorneys work closely with our employment law department. Together we help businesses ensure their plans comply with state and federal employment laws as well as the complex Section 409A regulations governing deferred compensation.