Self-complete template. You get an editable Word template, plain-English guidance notes and a completion checklist, emailed to you after payment is confirmed. Written for use in Ireland.
Not included: legal advice, tailoring, review, witnessing or filing. OnlineLegalServices.ie is operated by Plus Promotions Limited, which is not a solicitor’s practice. If you want a solicitor to review your completed document, find one through the Law Society of Ireland’s directory.
Retain your best employees with tax-efficient share options
KEEP is the Irish government’s flagship tax-advantaged share option scheme for SMEs. Used correctly, it turns share options from a high-tax liability into a genuine retention tool — employees are taxed at CGT rates (33%) on sale rather than income tax rates (up to 52%) on exercise. Used incorrectly, options lose KEEP status and the tax advantage evaporates.
What’s included
- Editable Word template written for use in Ireland
- Plain-English guidance notes explaining each section
- Completion checklist
- Delivered by email after payment — you fill it in yourself
Not included: legal advice, tailoring, review, witnessing or filing.
Who this is for
Irish SMEs (under 250 employees, turnover under €50m) that want to grant tax-advantaged share options to key employees or working directors. Typical users are scaling startups, early-revenue tech companies, and owner-managed SMEs preparing for growth.
How it works
- Pay the price shown on this page by card.
- The template, guidance notes and checklist are emailed to you.
- Complete the template yourself using the guidance notes.
- If you want your completed document checked, ask a solicitor of your choice — you can find one through the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory.
Related services
Also consider: Founder Shareholders Agreement, Standard Shareholder Agreement, Annual Company Compliance Pack.
Frequently asked questions
What is the KEEP scheme in Ireland?
The Key Employee Engagement Programme (KEEP) is an Irish Revenue-approved share option scheme for qualifying small and medium-sized enterprises. It allows an employer to grant share options to qualifying employees that, when exercised and sold, are taxed at the 33% capital gains rate rather than income tax rates of up to 52%, PRSI and USC — a substantial saving for employees and a powerful recruitment and retention tool for Irish SMEs.
Does my company qualify for KEEP?
Your company must be an Irish-resident, unquoted trading company that is an SME (fewer than 250 employees, turnover under €50m or balance sheet under €43m), not carrying on certain excluded trades (such as property development, financial services, or professional services), and the options must be granted to qualifying full-time employees or directors.
What does the KEEP Scheme Setup include?
The package includes: eligibility review, drafting of the KEEP share option scheme rules, individual option agreements for each qualifying employee, board and shareholder resolutions to adopt the scheme, the required notification to Revenue, and a full set of instructions for ongoing administration and the annual KEEP1 filing.
How much does it cost to set up a KEEP scheme in Ireland?
The price of this self-complete template is shown at the top of this page. You pay once and there are no further charges from us. The price covers the template and guidance notes only — it does not include legal advice or review by a solicitor.
How long does it take?
Typical is 10 to 14 working days from receipt of your completed information form. Revenue notification is made promptly once the scheme is adopted by the board and shareholders.
What is the difference between KEEP and an unapproved share option scheme?
Unapproved (non-KEEP) share options are taxed at full income tax rates (up to 52%) on exercise, which often makes them unattractive for early-stage employees. KEEP defers tax until sale of the shares and taxes the gain at CGT rates. The trade-off is that KEEP has strict qualifying conditions; unapproved schemes have none.
Can founders grant themselves KEEP options?
No. KEEP is for qualifying employees and working directors who do not hold more than 15% of the ordinary share capital. Founders with larger stakes cannot be participants. For founder-level equity, a founder shareholders agreement with vesting is typically the right tool.
What happens if we miss the Revenue notification deadline?
Missing the statutory notification window means the options lose their KEEP tax treatment and default back to income-tax treatment. This is one of the most common mistakes Irish SMEs make.
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