Phantom Stock

Phantom Stock

Phantom stock is a method for companies to give their management or employees a bonus if the company performs well financially. Phantom stock provides a cash or stock bonus based on the value of a stated number of shares, to be paid out at the end of a specified period of time.

Phantom stock is essentially a cash bonus plan, although some plans pay out the benefits in the form of shares. Phantom stock is favored by closely held or family-owned companies who want to incentivize management and other employees without granting them equity. Phantom stock grants align employees' motives with owners' motives (that is, profit growth, increased stock prices) without granting employees an actual ownership stake in the company.Phantom stock can, but usually does not, pay dividends. When the payout is made, it is taxed as ordinary income to the employee and is deductible to the employer. Generally, phantom plans require the employee to become vested, either through seniority or meeting a performance target.

Normally, phantom stock is taxable upon vesting, even if not paid out. Use of a "rabbi trust" that subjects the payout to significant risk, such as the company not being able to pay creditors, may solve this problem.

Phantom stock accounting is straightforward. These plans are treated in the same way as deferred cash compensation. As the amount of the liability changes each year, an entry is made for the amount accrued. A decline in value would reduce the liability. These entries are not contingent on vesting. Phantom stock payouts are taxable to the employee as ordinary income and deductible to the company. However, they are also subject to complex rules governing deferred compensation that, if not properly followed, can lead to penalty taxes.

External links

* [http://www.nceo.org National Center for Employee Ownership]


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