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8.1 Global Equity, Local Rules: Unlocking Tax Deductions Worldwide

As companies expand share plans globally, securing corporate tax deductions has become increasingly complex—and increasingly scrutinized. This session focuses on the critical intersection between equity compensation and corporate tax, equipping share plan professionals with the insights they need to effectively partner with internal tax teams to drive tax efficiency and avoid costly missteps.

The discussion will compare approaches across the US, UK, France, and Germany, highlighting where rules align and where they diverge. A dedicated segment will address the latest HMRC position on net-settled awards, including practical arguments and defense strategies when corporate tax deductions are challenged. Drawing on real-world experience, the session will provide actionable guidance for navigating this high-risk, high-impact area of global equity.

KEY LEARNING POINTS:

  • How corporate tax deduction rules differ across key jurisdictions and why those differences matter.
  • How to collaborate effectively with corporate tax teams to maximize tax efficiency in global share plans.
  • How to navigate HMRC scrutiny of net-settled awards and prepare defensible corporate tax positions.
Speaker/Author

Barbara Klementz, Baker McKenzie (US)
Gill Parnell, Baker McKenzie (UK)
 

Event date
Thursday, 23 Apr 2026, 10:35 - 11:25
Breakout series
Location
JW Grand Salon 1
Field of Study
Tax
Level
I
IN-PERSON CHAPTER EVENT
4 December 2025, 4:30 - 6:30pm CET
GEO DACH CHAPTER MEETING
DACH

Frankfurt, DE

Germany

NAVIGATING THE INTERSECTION OF STRATEGY, TECHNOLOGY AND GERMAN LAW IN GLOBAL EQUITY

Join your DACH chapter colleagues for a critical discussion on the forces shaping global equity compensation in 2025 and beyond.

We will start with a review of key findings from the Global Equity Insights Survey to benchmark current market practices and strategic trends. Next, we will feature a unique case study from a major European company on how they are leveraging Technology and AI to optimize their global equity programs, sharing best practices for advanced administration.

Finally, we will cover the critical implications of the recent BAG Urteil (German Federal Labor Court decision) regarding the validity of leaver clauses in ESOPs/VSOPs. This is a crucial, high-priority ruling that demands immediate review and action for all German-governed plans.

LOCATION:
Commerzbank Tower
Kaiserstraße 16
60311 Frankfurt am Main

There is no cost for this chapter meeting.  

Members and non-members are welcome to attend.  Registration is required.

View the event attendee terms and conditions.

2.1 UK Share Plan Trends: What SAYE and SIP Data Reveal for Employers and Employees

ProShare’s annual SAYE and SIP report provides a unique lens on the performance of UK tax-approved plans. This year’s data reveals declining participation rates and reduced company interest in launching new plans, alongside evidence that cost-of-living pressures are influencing employees’ investment behaviours and decisions at maturity. 

In this session, we’ll explore these trends through case studies from issuers and examine what companies need to consider for the success of their plans in today’s changing environment—from generational shifts and the AI revolution to the ongoing challenges of recruitment, retention, and motivation. 

Attendees will gain insight into the future of UK-approved plans and how they can continue to support both employee and corporate success.

KEY LEARNINGS:

  • What current participation and maturity trends in SAYE and SIP mean for companies and plan participants.
  • How external factors like cost-of-living, workforce demographics, and technology are shaping the future of UK share plans.
  • Practical considerations for designing and positioning SAYE and SIP plans to drive engagement, retention, and shared success.
Speaker/Author

Sophie Altaf, Proshare
Cat Rylah, bp
Julie Shepherd, FGE, Sage Group plc

Event date
Wednesday, 12 Nov 2025, 12:45 - 13:30
Breakout series
Location
Monument
ARTICLE
1 April 2025
VSOPS – THE END OF BAD LEAVER CLAUSES IN GERMANY?
External News

King & Spalding

Legal and regulatory
All plan types
Germany

Virtual Stock Option Plans (VSOPs) reward employees financially based on company success without granting actual shares and often include vesting periods to encourage long-term commitment. In a landmark March 2025 ruling, the German Federal Labor Court (BAG) found that forfeiting or accelerating the expiration of already vested options due to employee resignation unfairly disadvantages employees and violates German law. This decision mandates companies to revise VSOP/ESOP agreements to ensure vested rights are protected and that bad leaver clauses fairly balance employer and employee interests.