Norway Tax Agency Explains Taxation of Discounted Share Acquisitions Under Employee Share Incentive Regimes

The Norwegian Tax Administration Jan. 3 explained the taxation of discounted shares acquired under employee share incentive regimes. The tax agency explained that: 1) employees who acquire shares at a discounted price will incur a taxable benefit gained through work, whether the shares are purchased or not; 2) whether shares are acquired at a discount depends on the price an independent party would’ve paid under the same conditions; 3) income is earned when the event to which the tax liability relates has occurred; 4) gains from dividends distributed based on the shares are taxed according to the tax law’s general ...