{"id":3596,"date":"2025-03-20T16:37:22","date_gmt":"2025-03-20T11:07:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.torusdigital.com\/toruscope\/?p=3596"},"modified":"2025-08-26T13:31:34","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T08:01:34","slug":"what-is-esop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.torusdigital.com\/toruscope\/stocks\/what-is-esop\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding ESOPs: How Employee Stock Ownership Plans Benefit You"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_section el_id=&#8221;blog-inner-layout&#8221;][vc_row overlay_dotted=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column el_class=&#8221;blog_primary&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<b>Employee Stock Ownership Plans<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><b>ESOPs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) are employee benefit plans that are increasingly becoming a popular way for companies to reward and retain the best talent. By offering them as compensation, companies allow their employees to become stakeholders, aligning their interests with the organisation\u2019s success.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This shared ownership model boosts motivation, enhances productivity, and strengthens long-term commitment. <\/span><b>ESOPs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> serve as both a powerful employee benefit and a strategic financial tool, fostering a culture of ownership and excellence within the company.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this blog, we take a deep dive into the <\/span><b>ESOP definition<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, how it works, its vesting process, key benefits, and the tax implications employees should be aware of.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_ESOP\"><\/span><b>What is ESOP?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An <\/span><b>Employee Stock Ownership Plan<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a powerful incentive that allows companies to reward employees by offering them a stake in the organisation. It\u2019s an employee compensation plan through which employees can acquire company shares at little to no cost. Employers provide them as it aligns their employees\u2019 interests with the company\u2019s long-term success.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>ESOPs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> typically come with a vesting period, after which employees have the option to exercise their rights to purchase shares at a predetermined price. This ownership opportunity not only enhances employee motivation and engagement but also fosters a sense of commitment and accountability.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since these are granted at the employer\u2019s discretion, they serve as a strategic tool for talent retention and business growth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Does_the_Employee_Stock_Ownership_Plan_Work\"><\/span><b>How Does the Employee Stock Ownership Plan Work?\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following is a detailed explanation of how <\/span><b>ESOPs <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">work:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Establishing_the_ESOP_Trust\"><\/span><b>Establishing the ESOP Trust<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The company sets up an <\/span><b>ESOP<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> trust to hold shares on behalf of employees. It will then contribute <a href=\"https:\/\/www.torusdigital.com\/stocks\"><strong>stocks<\/strong><\/a> to the trust, often with tax advantages.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Employee_Participation\"><\/span><b>Employee Participation<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New employees typically become eligible for<\/span><b> ESOP<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">s after meeting a minimum service period, promoting retention and commitment.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Share_Allocation\"><\/span><b>Share Allocation<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shares are distributed to employee accounts based on factors like salary and tenure, ensuring a fair reward system.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Vesting\"><\/span><b>Vesting<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employees earn ownership of their allocated shares after a certain period called the vesting schedule, which may be immediate or gradual.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Share_Repurchases\"><\/span><b>Share Repurchases<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When employees leave or retire, the company usually repurchases their shares, and the employee receives compensation equal to the fair market value of the shares. This allows the company to redistribute the shares.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Functioning_of_ESOP_with_Example\"><\/span><b>Functioning of ESOP with Example<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suppose an ABC Corporation offers <\/span><b>ESOP<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">s to key employees with a 3-year service requirement. Employees receive shares after one year and have three months to opt in.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exercise Price: \u20b9400<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Market Price at Grant: \u20b9500<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expected Price in 3 Years: \u20b91,000<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is a breakdown of taxation on ESOPs:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"At_the_time_of_Exercise_After_1_Year_%E2%80%93_Taxed_as_a_prerequisite\"><\/span><b>At the time of Exercise (After 1 Year) \u2013 Taxed as a prerequisite:<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perquisite Value = Market Price \u2013 Exercise Price<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u20b9500 \u2013 \u20b9400 = \u20b9100 (taxed as salary income)<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"At_the_Time_of_Sale_After_3_Years_%E2%80%93_Taxed_as_capital_gains\"><\/span><b>At the Time of Sale (After 3 Years) \u2013 Taxed as capital gains:<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Capital Gain = Sale Price \u2013 Market Price at Exercise<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u20b91,000 \u2013 \u20b9500 = \u20b9500 (taxed as capital gains)<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Advantages_of_ESOP_for_Employees\"><\/span><b>Advantages of ESOP for Employees\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you know <\/span><b>what ESOP is, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">it is essential for you to understand why they are an attractive option for employees. Here are some of the essential benefits of receiving ESOP shares:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Wealth Creation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employees gain equity in the company, benefiting from share price appreciation and long-term financial growth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Retirement Security: ESOPs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> serve as an ideal retirement benefit as their value grows steadily over time. This allows employees to sell their shares upon leaving or retiring, providing financial stability.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Higher Engagement &amp; Productivity:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> As part owners, employees are more motivated and committed, leading to increased productivity and lower turnover.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Stronger Sense of Ownership &amp; Loyalty:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> These foster a culture of collaboration and accountability, as employees feel personally invested in the company\u2019s success.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_Types_of_ESOPs\"><\/span><b>What are the Types of ESOPs?\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Companies can use various <\/span><b>ESOP <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">structures to incentivise employees and fund growth. Here are the most common types:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Employee Stock Option Scheme (ESOS): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grants employees the right (but not obligation) to buy shares at a predetermined price after a vesting period.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allows employees to buy shares, often at a discount, with terms set by the company. Common in public offerings.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Restricted Stock Units (RSUs): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employees receive shares upon meeting specific conditions or events and become shareholders of the company. They typically don&#8217;t have to pay anything to get these restricted stocks.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grants employee&#8217;s shares with restrictions based on a vesting period or performance goals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employees receive cash or stock equivalent to the increase in share value over time, with no downside risk.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Phantom Stocks: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simulates stock ownership without actual shares, offering long-term deferred compensation based on company performance.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_Tax_Implications_of_ESOPs\"><\/span><b>What are the Tax Implications of ESOPs?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These have two key tax events: when employees purchase shares and when they sell them.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tax_at_the_Time_of_Purchase\"><\/span><b>Tax at the Time of Purchase<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employees buy shares at a price lower than the Fair Market Value (FMV) on the vesting date.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The difference (FMV \u2013 exercise price) is taxed as a prerequisite at the employee\u2019s income tax slab rate.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Startups get tax relief for TDS on ESOPs, and it is deferred until the earliest of:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Five years from the grant date<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sale of shares<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employee\u2019s exit from the company<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tax_at_the_Time_of_Sale\"><\/span><b>Tax at the Time of Sale<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Capital gains tax applies to the difference between the selling price and FMV at the time of purchase.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Listed shares: Profits over \u20b91.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5% (long-term, &gt;12 months) or 15% (short-term, &lt;12 months).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlisted shares: The FMV is calculated by a merchant banker on the date of exercising the stock options.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foreign<\/span><b> ESOPs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are taxed similarly in India on perquisite income.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Difference_Between_ESOP_vs_Other_Forms_of_Compensation\"><\/span><b>Difference Between ESOP vs Other Forms of Compensation<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following is a detailed comparison of<\/span><b> ESOP<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> vs other types of forms of compensation, such as profit sharing and direct equity ownership:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Aspect<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Profit Sharing<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan)<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Direct Equity Ownership<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Ownership<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Distributes cash or retirement contributions based on company profits<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provides employees with ownership stakes in the company<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employees buy shares themselves<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Vesting<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Immediate or based on performance<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically, a long vesting period before full ownership.<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ownership is immediate upon purchase<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Payout Structure<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rewards employees in cash or benefits<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provides stock that may appreciate in value<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employees receive stock dividends or capital gains<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Purpose<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rewards employees for company performance<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Promotes long-term employee ownership and engagement<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grants direct ownership with potential financial upside<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Structure<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employer-sponsored plan<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employer-sponsored plan with structured stock allocation<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employees purchase shares directly<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Cost to Employees<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No cost; based on the company\u2019s discretion<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Usually, there is no upfront cost; shares are granted<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Requires personal financial investment<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Control &amp; Voting Rights<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limited control over distributions<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limited or no voting rights on company matters<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Direct shareholders have voting rights and more control<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Tax Benefits<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">May have some tax advantages for the company<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Often includes tax benefits for both employees and the company<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically, fewer tax advantages compared to <\/span><b>ESOPs<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Going_Public_Affects_Employee_Stock_Options_ESOPs\"><\/span><b>How Going Public Affects Employee Stock Options (ESOPs)?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a company goes public, it impacts existing<\/span><b> Employee Stock Ownership Plans <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in several ways:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Share Dilution: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An <a href=\"https:\/\/www.torusdigital.com\/ipo\"><strong>IPO<\/strong> <\/a>involves issuing new shares to raise capital, which may reduce the ownership percentage of participants. However, if the stock price rises post-IPO, the overall value of their holdings can increase.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lock-in Periods: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employees with vested <\/span><b>ESOPs <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">may face restrictions on selling shares immediately after the IPO. These lock-in periods help stabilise the stock price and encourage long-term value creation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Financial Opportunity: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once the lock-in period ends, employees can sell their shares. If the stock performs well, this can result in substantial financial gains.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_Risks_Associated_with_ESOPs\"><\/span><b>What are the Risks Associated with ESOPs?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While <\/span><b>ESOPs <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">offer potential financial benefits, they also come with certain risks that employees and companies should consider:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Market Volatility: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These plans only provide value if the company\u2019s stock price increases. If the price stagnates or declines, employees may see little to no financial gain.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Tax Burden: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employees are taxed on <\/span><b>ESOPs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at two stages: when they exercise their options (as perquisites under salary tax) and when they sell their shares (as capital gains). If share prices show little growth, taxes may significantly reduce overall profits.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Salary Trade-Off: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some companies offer <\/span><b>ESOPs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in place of a competitive salary. During economic downturns, firms can give reduced salaries while compensating with <\/span><b>ESOPs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which may not always translate to actual financial gains.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Liquidity Challenges: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These shares are not easily sold. Employees can only cash out through an IPO, external buyout, or company buyback, and none of these are guaranteed, especially in the unpredictable startup space.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Vesting Period Constraints: ESOPs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are earned over time, typically vesting over 1\u20135 years. If an employee leaves or is terminated before full vesting, they may lose a significant portion of their <\/span><b>ESOP<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">s.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Company Flexibility: ESOP<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> pools impact a company\u2019s financial flexibility, making it harder to raise investment or sell the business, as these obligations add to long-term liabilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Thoughts\"><\/span><b>Final Thoughts<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>ESOPs are a powerful tool for employee wealth creation and business continuity, providing tax benefits while fostering an ownership-driven culture. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0However, both employees and companies must carefully evaluate the financial, tax, and liquidity challenges involved. For employees, <\/span><b>ESOPs <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">should complement a competitive salary, and for companies, they should align with long-term strategic and financial goals.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner el_id=&#8221;share_rating&#8221;][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h6>Rate this article<\/h6>\n<!-- FeedbackWP Plugin --><div  class=\"rmp-widgets-container rmp-wp-plugin rmp-main-container js-rmp-widgets-container js-rmp-widgets-container--3596 \"  data-post-id=\"3596\">    <!-- Rating widget -->  <div class=\"rmp-rating-widget js-rmp-rating-widget\">            <div class=\"rmp-rating-widget__icons\">      <ul class=\"rmp-rating-widget__icons-list js-rmp-rating-icons-list\">                  <li class=\"rmp-rating-widget__icons-list__icon js-rmp-rating-item\" data-descriptive-rating=\"Terrible!\" data-value=\"1\">              <i class=\"js-rmp-rating-icon rmp-icon rmp-icon--ratings rmp-icon--star \"><\/i>          <\/li>                  <li class=\"rmp-rating-widget__icons-list__icon js-rmp-rating-item\" data-descriptive-rating=\"Bad!\" data-value=\"2\">              <i class=\"js-rmp-rating-icon rmp-icon rmp-icon--ratings rmp-icon--star \"><\/i>          <\/li>                  <li class=\"rmp-rating-widget__icons-list__icon js-rmp-rating-item\" data-descriptive-rating=\"Okay!\" data-value=\"3\">              <i class=\"js-rmp-rating-icon rmp-icon rmp-icon--ratings rmp-icon--star \"><\/i>          <\/li>                  <li class=\"rmp-rating-widget__icons-list__icon js-rmp-rating-item\" data-descriptive-rating=\"Good!\" data-value=\"4\">              <i class=\"js-rmp-rating-icon rmp-icon rmp-icon--ratings rmp-icon--star \"><\/i>          <\/li>                  <li class=\"rmp-rating-widget__icons-list__icon js-rmp-rating-item\" data-descriptive-rating=\"Great!\" data-value=\"5\">              <i class=\"js-rmp-rating-icon rmp-icon rmp-icon--ratings rmp-icon--star \"><\/i>          <\/li>              <\/ul>    <\/div>    <p class=\"rmp-rating-widget__hover-text js-rmp-hover-text\"><\/p>    <button class=\"rmp-rating-widget__submit-btn rmp-btn js-submit-rating-btn\">      Submit Rating    <\/button>    <p class=\"rmp-rating-widget__results js-rmp-results rmp-rating-widget__results--hidden\">       <span class=\"rmp-rating-widget__results__rating js-rmp-avg-rating\">0<\/span> \/ 5.  <span class=\"rmp-rating-widget__results__votes js-rmp-vote-count\">0<\/span>    <\/p>    <p class=\"rmp-rating-widget__not-rated js-rmp-not-rated \">          <\/p>    <p class=\"rmp-rating-widget__msg js-rmp-msg\"><\/p>  <\/div>  <!--Structured data -->        <\/div>\n<div id=\"emoji-overlay\" style=\"display: none;\">\n<div id=\"overlay-emoji\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"overlay-description\" class=\"emoji-text\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"rating-popup\">\n<p><span id=\"popup-close\">\u00d7<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"popup_message\">\n<div id=\"popup-emoji\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"popup_innermsg\">\n<h5>Thank You for Rating Our Article!<\/h5>\n<p>Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us, and we&#8217;re thrilled to hear your thoughts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h6>Share this article<\/h6>\n<div class=\"cscra-social square cscra-socials-679c8a1122c00\">\n        <a href=\"\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.torusdigital.com%2Ftoruscope%2Fstocks%2Fwhat-is-esop%2F&t=Understanding+ESOPs%3A+How+Employee+Stock+Ownership+Plans+Benefit+You\" class=\"facebook\" data-toggle=\"tooltip\" data-placement=\"top\" title=\"Share On Facebook\" target=\"_blank\"><i class=\"fa fa-facebook\"><\/i><\/a>\n        <a href=\"\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=Understanding+ESOPs%3A+How+Employee+Stock+Ownership+Plans+Benefit+You&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.torusdigital.com%2Ftoruscope%2Fstocks%2Fwhat-is-esop%2F\" class=\"twitter\" data-toggle=\"tooltip\" data-placement=\"top\" title=\"Share On Twitter\" target=\"_blank\"><i class=\"fa-brands fa-x-twitter\"><\/i><\/a>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/api.whatsapp.com\/send?text=Understanding+ESOPs%3A+How+Employee+Stock+Ownership+Plans+Benefit+You - https%3A%2F%2Fwww.torusdigital.com%2Ftoruscope%2Fstocks%2Fwhat-is-esop%2F\" class=\"whatsapp\" data-toggle=\"tooltip\" data-placement=\"top\" title=\"Share On WhatsApp\" target=\"_blank\"><i class=\"fa fa-whatsapp\"><\/i><\/a>\n        <a href=\"\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.torusdigital.com%2Ftoruscope%2Fstocks%2Fwhat-is-esop%2F&title=Understanding+ESOPs%3A+How+Employee+Stock+Ownership+Plans+Benefit+You\" class=\"linkedin\" data-toggle=\"tooltip\" data-placement=\"top\" title=\"Share On Linkedin\" target=\"_blank\"><i class=\"fa fa-linkedin\"><\/i><\/a>\n    <\/div>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner el_id=&#8221;faq_blog&#8221;][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Frequently Asked Questions&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23001316&#8243; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_tta_accordion active_section=&#8221;1&#8243; el_id=&#8221;faq&#8221;][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;What is ESOP full form?&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1741079230451-13e329ac-9da6&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The full form of <\/span><b>ESOP<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> stands for <\/span><b>Employee Stock Ownership Plan.<\/b>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;What happens to ESOP if I leave the company?&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1741079230472-791d4a2a-0c22&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you leave before vesting, you will forfeit the unvested shares, which will be returned to the company. In case, you leave after vesting, you may exercise or sell the shares per the company&#8217;s policy.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Can ESOPs be transferred?&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1741079305433-363f3c24-0d3c&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No, <\/span><b>ESOPs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> cannot be transferred. In case of resignation, vested shares remain as per policy. In cases of misconduct, termination or death, these may be forfeited.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;How do I sell ESOP shares?&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1741079339851-542c228d-f419&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<b>ESOPs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> usually have a lock-in period, restricting immediate sales. Employees can sell shares when the market price is higher than the exercise price, generating capital gains. Profits from the sale are taxed under capital gains tax.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Is ESOP the same as stock options?&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1742468004239-14bfa3d1-f694&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No, <\/span><b>ESOPs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and stock options are different, as <\/span><b>ESOPs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> grant ownership in the company by offering shares at a discounted price or no cost. Whereas, stock options provide the right (not obligation) to purchase shares at a fixed price after vesting.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;How to calculate ESOP?&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1742468695634-8a2551e0-cd4f&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<b>ESOP <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">valuation considers factors such as the Fair Market Value (FMV) of company shares, number of shares allocated to employees, vesting schedule (time-based or performance-based), exercise price (price employees pay per share) and tax implications at purchase and sale.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Is ESOP part of CTC?&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1742468720292-205b95a6-3b72&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, <\/span><b>ESOPs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are often included in Cost to Company (CTC) as part of the compensation package. However, they are not a guaranteed cash component since their value depends on share price appreciation.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section]<\/p>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"BlogPosting\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.torusdigital.com\/toruscope\/stocks\/what-is-esop\/\"},\"headline\":\"What is ESOP - Definition, Meaning & How Do ESOPs Work\",\"description\":\"Get to know What is ESOP and its definition, how Employee Stock Ownership Plans benefit both employees and employers, with detailed information at Torus Digital.\",\"image\":\"https:\/\/www.torusdigital.com\/toruscope\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Understanding-ESOPs.jpg\",\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Torus Digital\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.torusdigital.com\/\"},\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Torus Digital\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dl4mfd6uvl13t.cloudfront.net\/static\/images\/webp\/logo.webp\"}},\"datePublished\":\"20-03-2025\",\"dateModified\":\"26-08-2025\"}<\/script><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\/\",\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.torusdigital.com\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Toruscope\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.torusdigital.com\/toruscope\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Stocks\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.torusdigital.com\/toruscope\/stocks\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Understanding ESOPs: How Employee Stock Ownership Plans Benefit You\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.torusdigital.com\/toruscope\/stocks\/what-is-esop\/\"}]}<\/script><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is ESOP full form?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The full form of ESOP stands for Employee Stock Ownership Plan.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What happens to ESOP if I leave the company?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"If you leave before vesting, you will forfeit the unvested shares, which will be returned to the company. In case, you leave after vesting, you may exercise or sell the shares per the company\u2019s policy.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can ESOPs be transferred?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No, ESOPs cannot be transferred. In case of resignation, vested shares remain as per policy. In cases of misconduct, termination or death, these may be forfeited.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How do I sell ESOP shares?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"ESOPs usually have a lock-in period, restricting immediate sales. Employees can sell shares when the market price is higher than the exercise price, generating capital gains. Profits from the sale are taxed under capital gains tax.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is ESOP the same as stock options?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No, ESOPs and stock options are different, as ESOPs grant ownership in the company by offering shares at a discounted price or no cost. Whereas, stock options provide the right (not obligation) to purchase shares at a fixed price after vesting.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How to calculate ESOP?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"ESOP valuation considers factors such as the Fair Market Value (FMV) of company shares, number of shares allocated to employees, vesting schedule (time-based or performance-based), exercise price (price employees pay per share) and tax implications at purchase and sale.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is ESOP part of CTC?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, ESOPs are often included in Cost to Company (CTC) as part of the compensation package. However, they are not a guaranteed cash component since their value depends on share price appreciation.\"}}]}<\/script><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"[vc_section el_id=&#8221;blog-inner-layout&#8221;][vc_row overlay_dotted=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column el_class=&#8221;blog_primary&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) are employee benefit plans that are increasingly becoming a popular way for companies to reward and retain the best talent. By offering them as compensation, companies allow their employees to become stakeholders, aligning their interests with the organisation\u2019s success. This shared ownership model boosts motivation, enhances","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4525,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3596","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stocks"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What is ESOP - Definition, Meaning &amp; How Do ESOPs Work<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Get to know What is ESOP and its definition, how Employee Stock Ownership Plans benefit both employees and employers, with detailed information at Torus Digital.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.torusdigital.com\/toruscope\/stocks\/what-is-esop\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What is ESOP - 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