The Superior Court of Justice (STJ), in a recent judgment, decided that the denominated Stock Options Plan, provided its general characteristics are met, has a commercial nature rather than a remunerative labor one. In this sense, in the acquisition of shares under the Stock Option scheme, the Individual Income Tax (IRPF) will only be levied upon the subsequent sale of the shares by the buyer, if a capital gain is determined. The decision followed the procedure for repetitive appeals and, therefore, must bind the other courts (with the exception of the Federal Supreme Court) and administrative bodies on dealing with the matter.
The 1st Section of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) recently decided, through the judgment of the Repetitive Appeal No. 1226 (REsps 2069644/SP and 2074564/SP), by majority of votes, that the Stock Options Plan granted by companies to its executives, provided its general characteristics are met, has a strictly commercial nature and not a compensation one.
The judges also understood that under the Stock Option Plan scheme, due to its commercial nature, Individual Income Tax (IRPF) is not levied upon the effective acquisition of the shares from the company that granted the option, since there is no capital increase on behalf of the buyer.
In this sense, in case there is a capital gain on the sales event, e.g. a positive difference between the sales price and the one paid by the participant (commonly known as grant price), the IRPF will be levied according to the specific rules to be observed.
The STJ’s decision, by establishing the commercial nature of the Stock Option Plan, follows the consolidated understanding exposed by the Superior Labor Court (TST). Furthermore, by defining when the IRPF is to be levied, it provides legal certainty to the participants regarding the tax effects to be observed by the individual.
It is important to note that, since this decision followed the procedure for repetitive appeals, the established understanding will be mandatory for similar cases in other courts, with the exception of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), as well as for administrative bodies dealing with the matter. However, the decision is awaiting final judgment, which means that appeals can still be filed in the case regarding the terms of the ruling.
The Vialto Partners Brazil team is ready to provide individual and detailed advice regarding the tax, labor, and social security effects resulting from the STJ decision on the Stock Options, as well as in identifying and implementing any necessary adjustments to the remuneration package and payroll processing.
For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:
Flavia Fernandes
Partner
Marisa Paleari
Partner
Reinaldo Medina
Director
Juliana Andres
Senior Manager
Further information on Vialto Partners can be found here: www.vialtopartners.com
Vialto Partners (“Vialto”) refers to wholly owned subsidiaries of CD&R Galaxy UK OpCo Limited as well as the other members of the Vialto Partners global network. The information contained in this document is for general guidance on matters of interest only. Vialto is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will Vialto, its related entities, or the agents or employees thereof be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information in this document or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
©2024 Vialto Partners. All Rights Reserved.
O Superior Tribunal de Justiça (STJ), em julgamento recente, decidiu que o denominado Stock Options Plan, desde que presentes as suas características gerais, possui natureza mercantil e não laboral remuneratória. Nesse sentido, na aquisição de ações pelo regime de Stock Option, o Imposto sobre a Renda da Pessoa Física (IRPF) somente incidirá quando da posterior venda das ações pelo adquirente, se ocorrido ganho de capital. A decisão seguiu o rito dos recursos repetitivos e, portanto, deve vincular
os demais tribunais (com exceção do Supremo Tribunal Federal), e as esferas administrativas sobre o assunto.
A 1ª Seção do Superior Tribunal de Justiça (STJ) decidiu recentemente, através do julgamento do Tema Repetitivo nº 1226 (REsps 2069644/SP e 2074564/SP), por maioria dos votos, que o Plano de Opção de Compra de Ações (Stock Option Plan), estando presentes as suas características gerais, possui natureza jurídica estritamente comercial/mercantil e não laboral remuneratória.
Entenderam ainda os julgadores que, no regime do Stock Option Plan, porque revestido de natureza mercantil, não incide o Imposto de Renda da Pessoa Física (IRPF) quando do exercício com a opção de compra das ações junto à companhia outorgante, dada a inexistência de acréscimo patrimonial em prol do optante adquirente.
Nesse sentido, havendo ganho de capital no momento da venda, isto é diferença positiva entre o valor de venda e aquele pago (comumente denominado como grant price) pelo optante adquirente, incidirá o IRPF de acordo com as regras específicas a serem aplicáveis.
A decisão do STJ, ao estabelecer a natureza mercantil dos planos de opção de compra de ações acompanha o entendimento já consolidado do Tribunal Superior do Trabalho (TST). Além disso, ao definir o momento da incidência do IRPF, garante segurança jurídica aos participantes do plano com relação aos efeitos fiscais a serem observados pela pessoa física.
Importante salientar que, como a referida decisão seguiu o rito dos recursos repetitivos, o entendimento estabelecido será de aplicação obrigatória em casos idênticos para os demais tribunais, com exceção do Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF), bem como para as instâncias administrativas ao tratarem do assunto. No entanto, a decisão aguarda o trânsito em julgado, o que significa que ainda cabem recursos sobre os termos do julgamento.
A equipe Vialto Partners Brazil está pronta para uma assessoria individual e pormenorizada em relação aos efeitos fiscais, trabalhistas e previdenciários decorrentes da decisão do STJ a respeito do plano de Stock Options, bem como na respectiva identificação e implementação de eventuais ajustes necessários no pacote de remuneração e processamento da folha de pagamento.
Para discussões aprofundadas sobre o tema acima, por favor contatar seus consultores da Vialto Partners:
Flavia Fernandes
Sócia
Marisa Paleari
Sócia
Reinaldo Medina
Diretor
Juliana Andres
Gerente Sênior
Mais informações sobre a Vialto Partners: www.vialtopartners.com
Vialto Partners (“Vialto”) refers to wholly owned subsidiaries of CD&R Galaxy UK OpCo Limited as well as the other members of the Vialto Partners global network. The information contained in this document is for general guidance on matters of interest only. Vialto is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will Vialto, its related entities, or the agents or employees thereof be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information in this document or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
©2024 Vialto Partners. All Rights Reserved.