Closed
Employee Share Purchase Tax Credit
Supports employee ownership through tax credits
Last Update: April 29, 2026
Funding available
$ 202,500
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Overview
This Manitoba program supports employee share ownership through a partially refundable tax credit of up to 45%. It applies to shares purchased under a registered ESOP for succession planning, employee takeovers, buyouts, employee participation, or worker co-operatives.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Attract or retain talent
- Complete an acquisition or business transfer
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 202,500 $
- Up to 45% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Management of companies and enterprises
Location
- Winnipeg
- Manitoba
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Employee share ownership plans
- Succession planning for family businesses
- Employee buyouts and takeovers
- Worker co-operatives
- Employee participation in business ownership
Documents Needed
- Most recent annual financial statements
- Most recent income tax return
- Most recent CRA notice of assessment
- Copy of the ESOP
- Articles of incorporation and amendments
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Employees buying shares under a registered ESOP
- Directors and officers of an eligible corporation
- Manitoba-based eligible corporations
Who is not eligible
- Financial institutions
- Prescribed labour-sponsored venture capital corporations
Eligible geographic areas
- Manitoba
Processing and Agreement
- Application is reviewed for ESOP registration eligibility
- An annual report must be prepared for participating employees and the administrator
- Registered ESOP amendments require approval from a majority of participating employees
Additional information
- Available to ESOP-registered corporations in Manitoba.
- Alternate formats are available upon request.
- Supporting worksheets and an ESOP template are provided by the program.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Employee Share Purchase Tax Credit Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Employee Share Purchase Tax Credit. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Employee Share Purchase Tax Credit?
This Manitoba program supports employee share ownership through a partially refundable tax credit of up to 45%. It applies to shares purchased under a registered ESOP for succession planning, employee takeovers, buyouts, employee participation, or worker co-operatives.
How much funding can be received?
Employee Share Purchase Tax Credit Funds up to 45% of admissible expenses, capped at $202,500 per project.
Who is eligible for the Employee Share Purchase Tax Credit program?
To be eligible for the Employee Share Purchase Tax Credit program, you must:
Pre-registered ESOP
CCPC with Manitoba presence
Active business operations
What expenses are eligible under Employee Share Purchase Tax Credit?
Employee share ownership plans
Succession planning for family businesses
Employee buyouts and takeovers
Worker co-operatives
Employee participation in business ownership
Who can I contact for more information about the Employee Share Purchase Tax Credit?
You can contact Government of Manitoba by email at ecdevprograms@gov.mb.ca or by phone at 204-945-7343.
Where is the Employee Share Purchase Tax Credit available?
The Employee Share Purchase Tax Credit program is available the province of Manitoba.
Is the Employee Share Purchase Tax Credit a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Employee Share Purchase Tax Credit is a Tax Credits