Rhode Island Employee Stock Purchase Plan (RI ESPN) is a program offered by some employers in Rhode Island that allows employees to purchase company stock at a discounted price through payroll deductions. It is designed to encourage employee ownership and provide an additional financial benefit to workers. The Rhode Island Employee Stock Purchase Plan is primarily governed by federal regulations, such as those outlined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). However, there might be additional state-specific regulations or guidelines that apply to the RI ESPN due to Rhode Island's unique legal framework. There are typically two types of Rhode Island Employee Stock Purchase Plans available to employees: qualified and non-qualified plans. 1. Qualified RI ESPN: This type of plan meets specific criteria set by the IRS, providing certain tax advantages to employees. Under a qualified RI ESPN, employees can purchase company stock through payroll deductions at a discounted price, often up to 15% lower than the market value on either the grant date or the purchase date, whichever is lower. In addition, the purchased shares are typically held in a qualified account, such as a qualified retirement or 401(k) account, which defers taxation until the shares are sold. 2. Non-Qualified RI ESPN: Unlike qualified plans, non-qualified RI ESPN do not meet the IRS criteria for preferential tax treatment. Employees still have the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discounted price, but the discount may be subject to ordinary income tax in the year of purchase, rather than deferring it until the sale of the shares. The purchased shares are commonly held in a non-qualified account. Employers usually offer Rhode Island Employee Stock Purchase Plans as an additional employee benefit. Participation in the plan is typically voluntary, allowing employees who are interested in purchasing company stock to contribute a percentage of their salary to the program. The contributions are automatically deducted from their paychecks over a specified period, known as the offering period. At the end of the offering period, employees can exercise their option to purchase shares at the discounted price. Overall, the Rhode Island Employee Stock Purchase Plan serves as an attractive incentive for employees, granting them the opportunity to acquire company stock at a reduced cost and potentially benefit from future stock price appreciation. It promotes employee engagement, aligns the interests of the workforce with the company's success, and allows employees to share in the financial performance of the organization.