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Get the inside track on recent law changes and IRS audit initiatives that affect compensation and fringe benefits!
The rules governing the taxation of compensation and benefits can be confusing, hard to find, and are constantly changing. PPC’s Guide to Compensation and Benefits provides practical, how-to guidance on every facet of employee compensation and benefits taxation. This insightful Guide provides clear explanation, analysis, and advice that can be used to quickly evaluate fringe benefit alternatives, ensure compliance with IRS rules and regulations, and avoid costly mistakes.
The Guide includes time-saving checklists, worksheets, charts, client letters, sample plan documents, practical examples, and planning tips and cautions that help clearly illustrate the materials discussed.
PPC's Guide to Compensation and Benefits provides the tools needed to structure optimal compensation and fringe benefit plans. It will help you understand the popular types of compensation and benefits many companies are currently offering and their tax implications. It explains the rules and regulations for providing dependent care, educational assistance, adoption assistance, life insurance, long-term care insurance, health plans (including health savings accounts), and disability income plans to employees.
The Guide can be used to help your clients stay competitive by designing compensation plans that motivate key executives, including Section 409A nonqualified deferred compensation and stock option plans. It also discusses travel and entertainment expense reimbursement rules, including the proper treatment of company-provided automobiles, computers, and cell phones used for personal purposes; covers the rules for establishing, operating, amending, and terminating all types of fringe benefit and cafeteria plans; and addresses questions regarding health plan requirements including COBRA and HIPAA.
Other features of this Guide that make it a Must Have include:
COBRA Premium Assistance Payments. Employees who lose their jobs have long been entitled to continue health insurance coverage through COBRA. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (2009 Recovery Act) provides a 65% COBRA subsidy for nine months to individuals who are involuntarily terminated from September 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009. The subsidy applies to periods of coverage beginning after February 16, 2009. An extensive discussion of this new benefit was added to this Guide that explains who qualifies for the subsidy, how to calculate it, and how employers are reimbursed for these subsidy payments.
Compensation Planning Engagement Letter. A sample engagement letter that can be used when providing compensation planning and consulting services to clients was added to the current edition.
Tool Allowance and Reimbursement Plans. For several years, the IRS has investigated tool reimbursement plans marketed in several industries, including automotive, heavy equipment, construction, and others. The Service recently issued a Coordinated Issue Paper concluding that the plans it has audited do not meet the accountable plan rules and, therefore, the tool reimbursements are taxable to the employees. The accountable plan rules and the IRS’s position on tool allowance plans are discussed in this Guide.
Travel Reimbursements and Per Diem Allowances to Leased Employees. Since more and more small companies are leasing employees, the IRS has provided guidance on whether the company or the leasing company is subject to the Section 274(n) 50% limitation on meals and entertainment expenses that are paid to these employees. A discussion of this new IRS guidance is in the most recent update.
One-person 401(k). One-person 401(k) plans are practical for small companies with no employees other than the owner and his or her spouse. A discussion was added to the current edition that shows the advantages of using this type of plan.
Rollovers as Business Start-ups (ROBS). These rollovers are designed to allow individuals to use their existing retirement accounts [e.g., 401(k) accounts] for funding new businesses. This Guide covers new IRS guidance on these plans, which are seen as potentially abusive.
Recent IRS Guidance on Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans. IRC Sec. 409A applies to nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) (i.e., compensation that workers earn in one year that is not paid until a future year). The Section 409A rules are extremely complex and impact many employers. The current edition provides guidance in complying with these rules, including coverage of the final regulations that were effective January 1, 2009, discussions on new proposed regulations and other IRS guidance issued in 2009, and an explanation of how to calculate the amount includable in an employee’s income if a plan fails to comply with the Section 409A requirements.
Differential Wage Payments. The 2008 Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act (HEART) changes the treatment of differential wage payments made to employees who are on military duty for more than 30 days. The act also makes changes in how 401(k) and flexible spending account benefits can be made available to employees who are disabled while on active duty or their families if the employee dies while on military duty. Information on these changes is in the most recent update.
New Transportation Fringe Benefits. The Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (2008 Energy Act) added a new tax-free transportation fringe benefit for employees who commute to work on bicycles, and the 2009 Recovery Act increased the monthly exclusion limitation for transit passes and vanpool services. A discussion of these new benefits in included in the most recent edition.
Restrictions on Nonqualified Deferred Compensation. Information was added to this Guide regarding changes made by The Tax Extenders and AMT Relief Act of 2008 (2008 Tax Extenders Act), which added new IRC Sec. 457A that greatly restricts income deferral of some NQDC plans that use foreign entities. These rules are in addition to the already complex Section 409A rules that apply to these plans.
Limitations on Compensation Deductions. The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (2008 Economic Stabilization Act) added new IRC Sec. 162(m)(5) that provides restrictions on deducting compensation for certain entities that participate in the Troubled Assets Relief Program. The 2009 Recovery Act added further restrictions and expanded coverage of the restrictions to all types of entities (i.e., corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and sole proprietorships). These new provisions are discussed in the current edition.
Other New Legislation. The current edition also covers many recently enacted laws that have provisions affecting employer-provided health care including: The 2009 Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIP Act), which provides that health plans must make special enrollment arrangements for certain individuals whose health coverage under a state CHIP or a Medicaid plan is terminated or who become eligible for assistance under either type of plan; Michelle’s Law providing for continued health care coverage for dependent college students who take a medically necessary leave of absence from school; The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 adding new requirements for determining if an individual qualifies as a dependent for such benefits as health care and dependent care coverage; and The 2008 Tax Extenders Act, which permanently extends the mental health parity requirements that were set to expire in 2008 and expands the definition of metal health benefits to include substance use disorder benefits.
TOC for GCB
INTRODUCTORY MATERIAL
ABOUT THE AUTHORS . . .
LIST OF SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES AND ADDITIONS
CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW
100 INTRODUCTION
What This Guide Is About
Who Should Use This Guide
Scope of This Guide
101 HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
Organization of the Guide
102 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND FRINGE BENEFIT COMPLIANCE INITIATIVE
Offshore Deferred Compensation Arrangements
Transfers of Compensatory Options to Related Parties
Renewed IRS Focus on Fringe Benefits
Diagnostic Approach
Marketing Executive Compensation Planning Services to Clients
APPENDIX 1A: Sample Client Letter on the IRS's Executive Compensation Initiative
APPENDIX 1B: Sample Client Letters on Company Transportation and Corporate Travel Benefits
APPENDIX 1B-1: Sample Letter on Business versus Personal Use Commuting
APPENDIX 1B-2: Sample Letter on Avoiding Bogus Car Valuations That Could Preclude Use of Special Valuation Rules
APPENDIX 1B-3: Sample Letter on Mixing Business and Pleasure on out-of-town Trips
APPENDIX 1C: Diagnostic Checklists--The IRS's Executive Compensation Initiative
APPENDIX 1C-1: Standard Items of Compensation
APPENDIX 1C-2: Executive Compensation Plans
APPENDIX 1C-3: Section 132 Fringe Benefits
APPENDIX 1C-4: Employer-provided Transportation
APPENDIX 1C-5: Expense Reimbursements
APPENDIX 1C-6: Employee Travel and Entertainment
APPENDIX 1C-7: IRS Examination Techniques for Executive Compensation Issues
APPENDIX 1D: Sample Client Letter on the Need for Executive Compensation Planning Services
APPENDIX 1E: Sample Client Engagement Letter
APPENDIX 1F: Citations of Sources Used in This Chapter
CHAPTER 2: BASIC PRINCIPLES OF EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION
200 INTRODUCTION
201 OVERVIEW OF EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION
Taxable Wage Limit
Current versus Deferred Compensation
Constructive Payment/Receipt
202 VALUING TAXABLE NONCASH COMPENSATION
Establishing Fair Value
Valuation Methods
Mandatory Valuation Methods.
Optional Special Valuation Methods.
General Valuation Method.
203 EMPLOYER'S DEDUCTION FOR NONCASH COMPENSATION
Limitation of Employer Deduction for Certain Entertainment Expenses
204 OTHER COMPENSATION DEDUCTION RULES
Accrued Vacation Pay and Bonuses
Promissory Note and Bonus Agreement
Accrued Compensation Owed to Shareholder-employees
C Corporation.
S Corporation.
Personal Service Corporation.
Payroll Taxes Imposed on Accrued Compensation
205 UNDERSTANDING WHAT QUALIFIES AS EXEMPT COMPENSATION
Federal Income Tax (FIT) and Federal Income Tax Withholding (FITW)
Social Security and Medicare (FICA) Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Using a Statute-by-statute Approach
206 UNDERSTANDING SPECIAL CLASSES OF EMPLOYMENT THAT ARE EXEMPT
207 APPLYING THE "ONE-HALF" RULE FOR MIXED EMPLOYMENT
208 FAMILY EMPLOYMENT WITHIN A FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS
Form of Business Affects Family Employment Rules
Employer Is a Sole Proprietorship.
Employer Is a Family Corporation.
Employer Is a Family Partnership.
209 CASUAL LABOR UNDER THE COVERED EMPLOYMENT RULES
Withholding and Payroll Tax Thresholds for Casual Labor
Guidelines for Applying the Casual Labor Rules
210 HOUSEHOLD SERVICES UNDER THE COVERED EMPLOYMENT RULES
Services Qualifying as Household Employment
Withholding and Payroll Tax Thresholds for Domestic Services
Special Rules for Domestic Services Performed by Family Members or Relatives
FICA Exemption for Employees under Age 18
Special Rules for Household Service in a College Club or Fraternity or Sorority House
Reporting Household Taxes
Filing Household Employment Taxes on Other Forms.
APPENDIX 2A: Quick Reference Tax Data Sheet for Payroll Taxes
APPENDIX 2B: Internal Revenue Code References for Common Items of Exempt Compensation
APPENDIX 2C: Compensation Taxation and Reporting Rules
APPENDIX 2D: Internal Revenue Code Reference Table: Special Classes of Exempt Employment
APPENDIX 2E: Treatment of Different Classes of Employment
APPENDIX 2F: Covered and Exempt Employment in a Family-owned Business
APPENDIX 2G: Citations of Sources Used in This Chapter
CHAPTER 3: STANDARD ITEMS OF COMPENSATION
300 INTRODUCTION
301 SALARY OR COMMISSION ADVANCES AS WAGES OR LOANS
302 SPECIAL RULES FOR COMMISSIONS PAID TO SALESPERSONS
Taxation of Commissions--General Rule
Employee versus Independent Contractor
Renewal Commissions
Extended Termination Payments Made to Retiring Insurance Agents
FUTA Exemption for Commission-only Insurance Salespersons
303 COMPENSATION PAID TO CORPORATE OFFICERS
What Factors Constitute Reasonableness?
Multi-factor Test.
Independent Investor Test.
Does the Independent Investor Standard Invalidate the Multi-factor Test?
Techniques for Defending against Unreasonableness
Excessive Repayment Agreements
Deductibility of Compensation Is Also Based on Compensatory Intent
Reasonable Compensation in Professional Service Firms
Unreasonably Low Compensation for S Corporation Shareholder/Employees
Payroll Taxes on Compensation Paid to Officers versus Directors
The $1 Million Deduction Limitation on Compensation to Certain Employees
Compensation Defined.
Exceptions to the $1 Million Cap on Compensation.
Special Rule for Employers Participating in the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP).
Elective Dividend by S Corporation to Remove Old C Corporation AE&P
Royalty versus Compensation
304 GROSSING UP WAGES WHEN EMPLOYER PAYS EMPLOYEE TAXES
A Formula Approach to Grossing Up Wages
305 PAYMENTS MADE AFTER AN EMPLOYEE'S DEATH
Accrued Compensation on Behalf of the Deceased Employee
Death Benefit Payments
Effect on the Employer.
Income Tax Treatment to the Employee.
Estate Tax Treatment.
Tax Treatment to the Beneficiary.
Employment Tax Treatment.
Income Tax Withholding.
Reporting Requirements.
Are Death Benefit Plans Subject to ERISA?
Are Death Benefit Plans Subject to Nondiscrimination Requirements?
Including Death Benefit Plans in a Cafeteria Plan
COBRA, HIPAA Portability, and Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Requirements
306 BACK PAY AND DAMAGE AWARDS
Federal Income Tax (FIT) Treatment of Back Pay
Employment Taxation of Back Pay
Income Tax Withholding.
Social Security and Medicare Taxes (FICA).
Audit Techniques Guide.
Federal Income Tax (FIT) Treatment of Damage Awards
Employment Taxation of Damage Awards
Allocating Awards for Out-of-court Settlements
307 EMPLOYEE AWARDS AND PRIZES
Giving Awards and Prizes to Employees
Tax Treatment of Employee Awards and Prizes
Employer's Tax Treatment.
Employee's Tax Treatment.
What Is an Employee Achievement Award?
Amount of Exclusion for Employee Achievement Awards.
Employees Eligible for Exclusion.
Payroll Tax Implications.
Are Prizes and Awards Subject to Nondiscrimination Rules?
Are Awards and Prizes Subject to ERISA?
308 GIFTS TO EMPLOYEES AND INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS
309 LOANS WITH BELOW-MARKET INTEREST RATES
Loans Affected by the Below-market Rules
Compensation-related Loans
310 COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PAID TO EMPLOYEES ON MILITARY LEAVE
Tax Treatment of Military Leave Pay
Is Military Leave Pay Subject to Nondiscrimination Rules?
Are Military Leave Pay Policies Subject to ERISA?
How Does USERRA Affect Employee Benefit Plans?
Reemployment Protection.
Employee Benefits Protection.
Retirement Plan Coverage.
Health Plan Coverage.
Notice to Employees.
Dependent Care Assistance Exclusion.
Exclusion for Military Death Gratuities
APPENDIX 3A: Treatment of Selected Cash Compensation Items
APPENDIX 3B: Items of Nonpayroll Compensation
APPENDIX 3C: Deductibility of Shareholder/Employee Compensation
APPENDIX 3D: Computing Grossed-up Wages
APPENDIX 3E: Computing Grossed-up Wages on Supplemental Wages Exceeding $1 Million
APPENDIX 3F: Calculating Excludable and Taxable Employee Achievement Awards
APPENDIX 3G: Sample Qualified Employee Achievement Award Plan
APPENDIX 3H: Citations of Sources Used in This Chapter
CHAPTER 4: EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PLANS
400 INTRODUCTION
401 OVERVIEW OF NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS
Types of Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans
Deferred Compensation Using Foreign Plans.
Employee Leasing Companies.
Funding Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
Nonqualified Plan Reporting Requirements
402 INCOME TAXATION OF NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS
Employer's Deduction
How the Executive Is Taxed on Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
Constructive Receipt in an Unsecured Promise Plan.
Economic Benefit Doctrine When Using Irrevocable Trusts.
Rabbi Trust.
Secular Trust.
Forfeiture Risk Ensures Deferral.
Employees' Trusts.
Insurance Contracts.
Section 409A Requirements for NQDC Plans
Plans Subject to IRC Sec. 409A.
Plans Not Subject to IRC Sec. 409A.
Foreign Plans.
Meeting the Section 409A Requirements.
Substantial Risk of Forfeiture.
Effective Dates and Transition Relief.
Amounts Includable in Income under IRC Sec. 409A
Calculation of Amounts Includable in Income.
Withholding and Reporting Requirements.
Section 457A Requirements for Foreign NQDC Plans
403 PAYROLL TAXATION OF NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS
Federal Income Tax Withholding (FITW)
Supplemental Wages.
FICA and FUTA Taxation
Which Plans Are Covered by the Special Timing Rule?
Amounts Subject to FICA Taxes.
Reporting FICA Deferrals and Payments on Form W-2
Tax Consequences of NQDC Transferred Incident to Divorce
404 UNDERSTANDING EQUITY-ORIENTED COMPENSATION PLANS
Does ERISA Apply?
Using a Formula to Establish Stock Value
405 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS
Tax Consequences to Participant and Corporation
Income Tax Consequences of Disqualifying Dispositions of Stock
Employer Information Reporting Requirements
Comparing the Tax Benefits of ISOs and NQSOs
406 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLANS
Employment Taxation of ESPP Options
Income Tax Consequences upon Qualifying Dispositions
Income Tax Consequences upon Disqualifying Dispositions
Employer Information Reporting Requirements
407 HANDLING NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTIONS
IRS Focuses on Transfers of Compensatory Options to Related Parties
Other Promotions to Beware of
Four-step Analysis for Determining the Tax Treatment of NQSOs
Step 1: Consider the Tax Impact at the Grant Date.
Step 2: Tax Substantially Vested Stock at the Exercise Date.
Step 3: Defer Tax on Restricted Stock until Substantially Vested.
Step 4: Consider a Section 83(b) Election to Accelerate Income on Restricted Stock.
Tax Consequences of NQSOs Transferred Incident to Divorce
408 RESTRICTED STOCK PLANS
Section 409A Requirements
409 CONSIDERING EQUITY-ORIENTED PLANS PAID IN CASH
Types of Cash Payment Equity Plans
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs).
Phantom Stock Plan.
Tax Treatment of Cash Payment Equity Plans
APPENDIX 4A: Key Features of Qualified and Nonqualified Plans
APPENDIX 4B: Tax Comparison of Funding Options for Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans
APPENDIX 4C: When Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Is Subject to the Special Timing Rule
APPENDIX 4D: Summary of Equity-oriented Compensation Arrangements
APPENDIX 4E: Top Hat Plan Statement
APPENDIX 4F: Determining Whether IRC Sec. 409A Applies to an NQDC Plan
APPENDIX 4G: Appropriate Treatment of NQDC Plans after the Enactment of IRC Sec. 409A
APPENDIX 4H: Citations of Sources Used in This Chapter
CHAPTER 5: SECTION 132 FRINGE BENEFITS
500 INTRODUCTION
501 WHAT IS A FRINGE BENEFIT?
502 CHRONOLOGY OF FRINGE BENEFIT RULES
503 VALUING TAXABLE NONCASH FRINGE BENEFITS
General Valuation Rule
Using a Special Valuation Rule to Establish FMV
504 HOW TO ELECT A SPECIAL VALUATION RULE
Employee's Selection of a Valuation Rule
505 WHEN TAXABLE NONCASH FRINGE BENEFITS ARE DEEMED PAID AS COMPENSATION
506 SPECIAL ACCOUNTING RULE FOR TAXABLE NONCASH FRINGE BENEFITS PROVIDED AT YEAR-END
How to Elect
507 EMPLOYER DEDUCTION FOR NONCASH FRINGE BENEFITS
Employer's Deduction for Entertainment Flights on Company Aircraft
508 DISCOUNTED PROPERTY OR SERVICES AS TAXABLE FRINGE BENEFITS
Qualified Employee Discounts on Property or Services
Discounts on Products
Product Price.
Gross Profit Percentage.
Discounts on Services
Nondiscrimination and Line of Business Limitations on Discounts
No-additional-cost Service
Nondiscrimination and Line of Business Limitations on No-additional-cost Services
509 APPLYING THE WORKING CONDITION FRINGE RULE
Hypothetical Payment for Business
Adequate Substantiation
Section 274(d) Expenses.
Other Employee Expenses.
Relationship to the Employer's Business
Outplacement Services as a Working Condition Fringe Benefit
Job-related Educational Assistance as a Working Condition Fringe Benefit
Qualifying Job-related Educational Costs.
Job-related Educational Assistance versus Qualified EAP.
Nondeductible Club Dues and Spousal Travel as Working Condition Fringe Benefits
Employer-provided Computers and Cell Phones as Working Condition Fringe Benefits
Computers Maintained Exclusively on Company Premises.
Computers Not Maintained Exclusively on Company Premises and Cell Phones.
Valuing Personal Use.
510 CASH REIMBURSEMENTS AS A WORKING CONDITION FRINGE
Working Condition Fringe versus Accountable Plan Rules
511 DE MINIMIS FRINGE BENEFITS
Cash or Gift Certificates as De Minimis Fringe Benefits
Nondiscrimination Rules Do Not Apply
Examples of De Minimis Fringe Benefits
Treatment of Employer's Meal Money Allowance
De Minimis Status of Employer-operated Eating Facilities
How to Value Taxable Meals Taken at an Employer-operated Eating Facility
512 EXCLUSION FOR QUALIFIED MOVING EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS
Split Reporting of Moving Expense Reimbursements
Reporting Moving Expense Reimbursements to Employees
Purchase of Employee's Home by Employer or Relocation Service
Allowing Employees to Temporarily Stay in Company-owned Apartments
513 GUIDANCE ON QUALIFIED TRANSPORTATION FRINGES
Valuing Transportation Benefits
Providing Benefits under a Reimbursement Arrangement
Whether Vouchers Are Readily Available.
Substantiation Requirements.
Debit or Credit Cards Used to Provide Transportation Benefits.
Benefit Limitations
Advance Transit Passes.
Employment Tax Treatment
Pre-tax Deductions for Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefits
Election Requirements
Carryover of Unused Salary Reduction.
Which Employees Qualify to Receive Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefits?
514 MEETING THE NONDISCRIMINATION REQUIREMENTS
Definition of Highly Compensated Employee
Tax Consequences of Discriminatory Benefits
515 APPLYING THE LINE OF BUSINESS LIMITATION
Defining a Line of Business
516 FREQUENT FLIER MILES AS A TAXABLE FRINGE BENEFIT
517 ON-PREMISES ATHLETIC FACILITY
518 EMPLOYER-PROVIDED RETIREMENT ADVICE
APPENDIX 5A: Summary of Fringe Benefits Exclusion Provisions
APPENDIX 5B: Employee Definitions for Section 132 Fringe Benefit Purposes
APPENDIX 5C: Determining Whether the Employer Can Elect a Special Valuation Rule
APPENDIX 5D: Required Notices Involving Auto Usage
APPENDIX 5E: Calculating Qualified Employee Discounts
APPENDIX 5F: Flowchart for Determining Whether Job-related Education Qualifies As a Working Condition Fringe Benefit
APPENDIX 5G: Auto Standard Mileage Allowances
APPENDIX 5H: Distance and Location Requirements for Moving Expenses
APPENDIX 5I: Limits on Excludable Transportation-related Fringe Benefits
APPENDIX 5J: Citations of Sources Used in This Chapter
CHAPTER 6: EMPLOYER-PROVIDED TRANSPORTATION
600 INTRODUCTION
601 PERSONAL USE OF EMPLOYER-PROVIDED AUTOMOBILES
Option 1--Maintaining Adequate Records or Other Sufficient Corroborating Evidence
Option 2--Adopting a Safe Harbor Method of Substantiation
Total Value Inclusion.
Option 3--Meeting the Exception for a Qualified Nonpersonal Use Vehicle
When Commuting to Temporary Work Locations Is Business Use
Employee with No Established Work Location.
Employee with an Established Work Location.
When the Employee's Residence Is the Principal Place of Business.
602 VALUING PERSONAL USE OF EMPLOYER-PROVIDED AUTOMOBILES
General Valuation Rule
Employer-provided Security
Using the Special Valuation Rules
Election, Notification, and Use of an Automobile Special Valuation Rule.
Consistency Requirement.
Shared Vehicle Usage
Employee Uses Several Company Automobiles during the Year
603 USING THE AUTOMOBILE LEASE VALUATION RULE
Four-step Approach
604 VEHICLE CENTS-PER-MILE VALUATION RULE
Who Can Use the Cents-per-mile Valuation Rule?
Limitations on the Use of the Vehicle Cents-per-mile Valuation Rule
Services Included in, or Excluded from, the Cents-per-mile Rate
Maintenance and Insurance Included.
Treatment of Other Services.
Fuel Provided by the Employer.
Consistency Rules
605 COMMUTING VALUATION RULE
Employees Required to Commute in Employer-provided Vehicles
Chauffeur-driven Vehicles.
Control Employee Defined.
Commuting Use Because of Unsafe Conditions
Conditions for Use.
Qualified Employee Defined.
606 QUALIFIED AUTOMOBILE DEMONSTRATION USE RULE
Full-time Automobile Salesperson Defined
Full and Partial Exclusion Methods for Full-time Salespersons
Full Exclusion Method.
Partial Exclusion Method.
When Neither the Full nor Partial Exclusion Method Applies
607 EMPLOYER-PROVIDED AIRCRAFT USED FOR PERSONAL FLIGHT
Substantiating Business Use by Maintaining Adequate Records
Personal Use Determined Separately for Each Flight
Passenger-by-passenger Determination of Business versus Personal Flights
Standards for Determining Business and Personal Flights
608 VALUING PERSONAL USE OF EMPLOYER-PROVIDED AIRCRAFT UNDER THE GENERAL VALUATION RULE
Piloted Aircraft
Nonpiloted Aircraft
609 VALUING PERSONAL USE OF EMPLOYER-PROVIDED AIRCRAFT UNDER THE NONCOMMERCIAL FLIGHT VALUATION RULE
General Rules for Defining a Business or Personal Flight
Business and Personal Flights within the Same Trip
Domestic Trip Primarily for Business.
Primarily Personal Domestic Trip.
Special Seating Capacity Rule Minimizes Personal Flights
Calculating Personal Use Value under the Noncommercial Flight Valuation Rule
Employer-provided Security.
Limitation of Employer Deduction for Entertainment Flights on Company-owned Aircraft
Specified Individuals.
Calculating the Disallowed Entertainment Amount.
APPENDIX 6A: Substantiating Business Use of Company Autos
APPENDIX 6B: Employee's Auto Usage Statement
APPENDIX 6C: Written Policy Prohibiting All Personal Use of Company Autos
APPENDIX 6D: Written Policy Prohibiting All Personal Use except Commuting
APPENDIX 6E: Reporting for Employer-provided Autos
APPENDIX 6F: Notification to Treat Auto as Having 100% Personal Use
APPENDIX 6G: Requirements for a Qualified Nonpersonal Use Vehicle
APPENDIX 6H: When Employee Commuting to Work Locations Is Business or Personal Use
APPENDIX 6I: Required Notice Involving Election Not to Withhold Federal Income Tax
APPENDIX 6J: Notification of Calculation of Personal Use Value of Company Auto
APPENDIX 6K: Valuing Personal Use of Company Autos
APPENDIX 6L: Valuing Personal Use of Employer-provided Business Auto
APPENDIX 6M: Application of the Automobile Lease Valuation Rule
APPENDIX 6N: Annual Lease Value Table for Employer-provided Autos
APPENDIX 6O: Fringe Benefit Compensation Value for Employer-provided Auto
APPENDIX 6P: Standard Mileage Rate and FMV Ceiling--Vehicle Cents-per-mile Valuation Rule
APPENDIX 6Q: Compensation Limits for Definitions of Highly Compensated and Control Employees
APPENDIX 6R: Sample Qualified Written Policy for Full or Partial Exclusion
APPENDIX 6S: Valuing Personal Use of Employer-provided Aircraft
APPENDIX 6T: Standard Industry Fare Level (SIFL) Rates
APPENDIX 6U: Sample Mileage Record for Employee Business Auto Use
APPENDIX 6V: Citations of Sources Used in This Chapter
CHAPTER 7: EMPLOYEE-OWNED AUTOMOBILES
700 INTRODUCTION
701 REIMBURSEMENTS FOR ACTUAL EXPENSES
702 WHAT IS AN AUTOMOBILE MILEAGE ALLOWANCE?
Mileage Allowance under a Flat Rate or Stated Schedule
Mileage Allowance Must Comply with "Modified" Accountable Plan Rules
703 SELECTING A "DEEMED SUBSTANTIATION" METHOD UNDER A MILEAGE ALLOWANCE PLAN
Business Standard Mileage Rate as a Deemed Substantiation Method
Fixed and Variable Rate (FAVR) Allowance as a Deemed Substantiation Method
Employee FAVR Reporting Requirements
Employer FAVR Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements
704 TAX TREATMENT OF MILEAGE ALLOWANCES
Reimbursement Not Exceeding the Business Standard Mileage Rate
Withholding and Reporting on Mileage Allowances Exceeding the Business Standard Mileage Rate
Reimbursement Exceeds the Business Standard Mileage Rate.
Mileage Advance Exceeds the Business Standard Mileage Rate.
Mileage Advance Related to Miles Not Substantiated
Failure to Substantiate Business Miles within a Reasonable Period.
Mileage Allowance Advance or Reimbursement under a Nonaccountable Plan
705 SAFE HARBOR METHODS FOR MEETING THE REASONABLE PERIOD REQUIREMENTS
Methods of Establishing a Reasonable Period
Fixed Date Safe Harbor Method.
Periodic Statement Safe Harbor Method.
APPENDIX 7A: Accountable Plan Rules for Auto Expense Reimbursements
APPENDIX 7B: Citations of Sources Used in This Chapter
CHAPTER 8: EMPLOYEE EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT PLANS
800 INTRODUCTION
801 OVERVIEW OF EMPLOYEE EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT RULES
802 MEETING THE ACCOUNTABLE PLAN REQUIREMENTS
Business Connection
Deductible Business Expenses.
Nondeductible (Bona Fide) Business Expenses.
Nonbusiness Expenses.
Adequate Substantiation
Electronic Documentation.
Return of Excess Advances
Abusive Expense Reimbursement Plans
803 TAX TREATMENT OF EMPLOYEE EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS
Payments under an Accountable Plan
Payments under a Nonaccountable Plan
Limitation of Employer Deduction for Certain Entertainment Expenses
804 HOW THE "AUTOMATIC" PLAN-SPLITTING PROVISIONS OPERATE WITHIN AN OVERALL ACCOUNTABLE PLAN
Failure to Return Excess Advances or Substantiate Expenses
Return of Unsubstantiated Advances after a Reasonable Period
Repayment in the Year of Receipt.
Repayment after the Year of Receipt.
Employee's Treatment of Repayments.
Nondeductible Business Expense Reimbursements
Reimbursements of Employee Commuting Expenses
Deductible Commuting Expenses.
Personal Commuting Expenses.
Reimbursement of Telecommuter Costs
Administration of the Accountable Plan
805 MAINTAINING SPLIT PLANS FOR AN EMPLOYEE
Adopting Split Plans to Pay Nonbusiness Expenses
How to Set Up Separate Accountable and Nonaccountable Plans for an Employee
806 DISGUISED SALARY OR SALARY REDUCTION ARRANGEMENT CREATES A NONACCOUNTABLE PLAN
Salary Reduction Arrangements
Salary Reduction/Expense Reimbursement Arrangement with Forfeiture Clause
Equipment Rental Payments
Rental Payments outside the Employment Relationship.
Rental Payments in an Employment Relationship.
Tool Reimbursements
Courier Employee-drivers' Expense Reimbursements
807 SAFE HARBOR METHODS OF MEETING THE REASONABLE PERIOD REQUIREMENTS
Methods for Establishing a Reasonable Period
"Fixed Date Method" Safe Harbor.
"Periodic Statement Method" Safe Harbor.
808 HOW EMPLOYEES REPORT REIMBURSED AND UNREIMBURSED BUSINESS EXPENSES
General Guidelines for Employee Reporting
Employee Does Not Seek Reimbursement
Employer Erroneously Treats Reimbursements as Made under a Nonaccountable Plan
809 HANDLING EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS OF INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS AND LEASED EMPLOYEES
Independent Contractors
Leased Employees
APPENDIX 8A: Seven Key Tasks for Establishing an Employee Expense Reimbursement Plan
APPENDIX 8B: Establishing an Employee Expense Reimbursement Plan
APPENDIX 8C: Elements to Substantiate Travel and Entertainment Expenses for Section 274(d)
APPENDIX 8D: Withholding and Reporting Employee Expense Reimbursements
APPENDIX 8E: Expense Reimbursement Policy for Accountable Plans
APPENDIX 8F: Quarterly Statement for Use under Periodic Statement Safe Harbor Method
APPENDIX 8G: How an Employee Should Treat Employer Reimbursements or Allowances
APPENDIX 8H: Citations of Sources Used in This Chapter
CHAPTER 9: EMPLOYEE TRAVEL AND ENTERTAINMENT AS COMPENSATION
900 INTRODUCTION
901 HOW THE ACCOUNTABLE PLAN RULES CREATE EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION
902 50% LIMITATION ON MEAL AND ENTERTAINMENT DEDUCTIONS
Disallowance Depends on Type of Reimbursement Plan
Reimbursements for Meals in Employer-owned Restaurants
Employer Treatment of Amounts Excluded from Employee Income
Reimbursements to Independent Contractors
Reimbursements to Leased Employees
903 EMPLOYEE'S LACK OF TRAVEL STATUS MAY CREATE COMPENSATION
Failure to Travel Away from Home Overnight Creates Compensation
Lack of a Tax Home Creates Compensation for Travel Expenses
Temporary versus Indefinite Work Assignments
Weekend Return Visits from Temporary Work Location
Taking Advantage of "Excursion" Airfare Is Tax Free
904 TAX CONSEQUENCES OF COMBINED BUSINESS AND PERSONAL TRAVEL
Domestic Business Travel Mixed with Nonbusiness Activities
Foreign Travel May Be Subject to Special Allocation Rules
Attending Conventions outside North America
Conventions on Cruise Ships.
905 ENTERTAINMENT (INCLUDING MEALS) AS COMPENSATION
Location or Setting Determines Primary Purpose for Entertainment Costs
How to Keep "Goodwill" Entertainment from Becoming Compensation
How to Treat a Spouse's Entertainment Costs
Frequent Employee Business Lunches May Become Compensation
906 HANDLING NONDEDUCTIBLE CLUB DUES AND SPOUSAL TRAVEL COSTS
Club Dues
Employer Payment of Nondeductible Club Dues.
Spousal Travel
Employer's Direct Payment versus Expense Reimbursement
907 WITHHOLDING AND PAYMENT OF EMPLOYMENT TAXES ON TRAVEL AND ENTERTAINMENT TREATED AS COMPENSATION
908 SUBSTANTIATING TRAVEL AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPENSES
909 MEALS OR LODGING EXCLUDED UNDER IRC SEC. 119
Business Premises Requirement
910 DETERMINING IF MEALS ARE FURNISHED FOR THE EMPLOYER'S CONVENIENCE
Meal Furnished with a Charge
Substantial Noncompensatory Business Reason
"More Than Half" Requirement.
Interaction between IRC Secs. 119 and 132(e)
Employer's Deduction for Section 119 Meals
Meals Treated as Employee Compensation.
Meals Treated as De Minimis Fringe Benefits.
911 DETERMINING WHETHER LODGING IS FURNISHED FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE EMPLOYER AND REQUIRED AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT
Lodging Furnished with a Mandatory Charge
Lodging Furnished for the Convenience of the Employer
Lodging Required as a Condition of Employment
Two-step Approach to Testing Employer-furnished Lodging
912 SURVEY OF MEAL AND LODGING EXCLUSIONS IN THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
APPENDIX 9A: Deductible Travel Expenses
APPENDIX 9B: When Meal and Entertainment Expenses Are Deductible
APPENDIX 9C: When the 50% Limit Applies to Meal and Entertainment Expenses
APPENDIX 9D: Determining Whether an Employee's Foreign Travel Has a Business Connection
APPENDIX 9E: Reporting Section 119 Meals and Lodging
APPENDIX 9F: Citations of Sources Used in This Chapter
CHAPTER 10: PER DIEM TRAVEL ALLOWANCE PLANS
1000 INTRODUCTION
1001 WHAT IS A PER DIEM TRAVEL ALLOWANCE?
Per Diem Allowance under a Flat Rate or Stated Schedule
Identifying Expenses for Which a Per Diem Allowance Can Be Paid
1002 PER DIEM ALLOWANCE MUST COMPLY WITH "MODIFIED" ACCOUNTABLE PLAN RULES
Business Connection
Adequate Substantiation
Return of Advances
1003 SELECTING A "DEEMED SUBSTANTIATION" METHOD
Special Rules for Transportation Industry
Special Rates.
Periodic Rule.
Transportation Industry Defined.
How to Apply the Deemed Substantiation Methods
Per Diem Substantiation Method
High/Low Substantiation Method
Meals-only Substantiation Method
Deemed Substantiation Methods for OCONUS Travel
1004 SPECIAL RULES FOR APPLYING THE DEEMED SUBSTANTIATION METHODS
Prorating the M&IE Component of the Federal Rate for Part-day Travel
Federal Rate Need Not Be Reduced for Meals Provided in Kind
Related Employees May Not Use the Per Diem Allowance or High/Low Substantiation Methods
1005 TAX TREATMENT OF PER DIEM ALLOWANCES
Per Diem Allowances Paid under an Accountable Plan
Per Diem Allowance Not Exceeding the Federal Rate.
Per Diem Allowance Exceeds the Federal Rate.
Failure to Substantiate Expenses within a Reasonable Period.
Advance Relating to Days of Travel Not Substantiated.
Per Diem Allowance Paid under a Nonaccountable Plan
No Double Reimbursement of Employee's Travel Expenses
Application of the 50% Disallowance Rule for Meal Expenses
Per Diem Allowance for Independent Contractors.
Per Diem Allowances for Leased Employees.
Per Diem Allowance Equals Federal Rate.
Per Diem Allowance Less Than the Federal Rate.
M&IE Only.
1006 DEDUCTING PER DIEM ALLOWANCES ON AN EMPLOYEE'S PERSONAL TAX RETURN
APPENDIX 10A: Establishing a Per Diem Travel Allowance Plan
APPENDIX 10B: Application of 50% Limit to Employer's Per Diem Travel Allowance
APPENDIX 10C: Federal Per Diem Rates for CONUS for Travel on or after October 1, 2008
APPENDIX 10D: High/Low Substantiation Method Rates for Per Diems Paid Beginning October 1, 2008
APPENDIX 10E: Withholding and Reporting Per Diem Allowances
APPENDIX 10F: Citations of Sources Used in This Chapter
CHAPTER 11: REGULATORY ISSUES FOR WELFARE AND FRINGE BENEFIT PLANS
1100 INTRODUCTION
1101 WHAT IS A WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN?
Practices and Plans That Are Not Welfare Benefit Plans
Payroll Practice Exception.
Other Exceptions.
Group Insurance Programs.
Health Savings Accounts.
Welfare Benefit Plans versus Fringe Benefit Plans
1102 WHEN IS A WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN SUBJECT TO ERISA?
Plans Exempt from ERISA Coverage
Top-hat Welfare Benefit Plans.
1103 WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF BEING SUBJECT TO ERISA?
1104 WRITTEN PLAN REQUIREMENT
What Happens If There Is No Plan Document?
Non-ERISA Plans
1105 TRUST REQUIREMENT
Unfunded Self-insured Plans
Insurance Contracts
Plans to Which Employees Contribute
General Rule.
Exceptions to the General Rule.
Self-insured Plans.
1106 COMPLYING WITH FIDUCIARY REQUIREMENTS
Who Is a Fiduciary?
Fiduciary Status Based on the Functional Definition.
Persons Performing Administrative Functions for the Plan.
Plan Administrators.
Plan Sponsors.
Plan Trustees.
Accountants, Attorneys, and Other Professionals.
Investment Advisers, Money Managers, and Broker-dealers.
Qualified Investment Managers.
Insurance Companies and Agents.
Third-party Administrators (TPAs).
Directors, Officers, and Employees.
What Are the Duties of a Fiduciary?
1107 UNDERSTANDING FIDUCIARY LIABILITY
Liability for Breach of Fiduciary Duties
Personal Liability.
Co-fiduciary Liability.
Penalties for Breach of Fiduciary Duty.
Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program.
Limiting Fiduciary Liability
Allocating Fiduciary Responsibilities among Named Fiduciaries and Delegating Responsibilities to Persons Who Are Not Named Fiduciaries.
Qualified Investment Manager.
Investment Policy Statements.
Liability Insurance.
1108 AVOIDING PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS
What Is a Prohibited Transaction?
Who Is a Party-in-interest?
Which Transactions Are Exempt from Prohibited Transaction Rules?
Statutory Exemptions.
Administrative Exemptions.
Prohibited Transaction Penalty
Calculating the Amount of the Penalty.
Nonfiduciary Parties-in-interest.
1109 COMPLYING WITH THE BONDING REQUIREMENTS
Exceptions to the Bonding Requirements
Acceptable Bonds
Amount of Bond Required
Failing to Meet the Bonding Requirements
1110 CLAIM PROCEDURES
Obligation of Reasonable Claims Procedures for Welfare Benefit Plans
Additional Rules for Group Health Plans.
Additional Rules for Disability Plans.
Timing of Benefit Determinations for Welfare Benefit Plans
Special Rules for Group Health Plans.
Special Rules for Disability Plans.
Calculating the Time Periods.
Extensions of Time.
Notification of Adverse Benefit Determinations for Welfare Benefit Plans
Additional Rules for Group Health Plans.
Special Rules for Disability Plans.
Appeal of Adverse Benefit Determinations for Welfare Benefit Plans
Additional Rules for Group Health Plans.
Additional Rules for Disability Plans.
Timing of Appeal Decisions for Welfare Benefit Plans
Special Rules for Group Health Plans.
Special Rules for Disability Plans.
Notification of Adverse Appeal Decisions
Special Rules
Apprenticeship Training Plans.
Collectively Bargained Plans.
Insurer Provided or Administered Plans.
Top-hat Plans.
1111 ESTABLISHING A WELFARE OR FRINGE BENEFIT PLAN
Initiating the Adoption of a New Plan
Writing the Plan Document
ERISA Plans.
Other Welfare and Fringe Benefit Plans.
Notifying Participants
Advance Rulings on Plan Adoptions
1112 AMENDING THE PLAN
The Plan Documents Must Provide Amendment Procedures
What If the Plan Document Does Not Contain Amendment Procedures?
Plan Procedures Must Be Followed.
Amendments Must Be in Writing
Retroactive Amendments
Initiating an Amendment
Notifying Participants
What Happens If the Amendment Requirements Are Not Met?
Advance Rulings on Plan Amendments
1113 TERMINATING THE PLAN
Initiating Termination Proceedings
Notifying Participants of the Plan's Termination
When Is a Plan Terminated?
Distribution of Assets
Reporting Requirements for Terminations
Advance Rulings on Plan Termination
1114 FORM 5500 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
DOL Filing Exclusions
Group Insurance Arrangements (GIAs) Exempt from ERISA Title I
Form 5500 Filing for Nonexempt Participating Plans.
Cafeteria Plans
How Many Forms 5500 Should Be Filed for Cafeteria Plan Component Benefits?
Medical Plans
Archer Medical Savings Accounts.
Health Savings Accounts.
Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs).
When to File Form 5500
Penalty for Failure to File Annual Report
DOL Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance (DFVC) Program.
1115 PARTICIPANT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS
Summary Annual Report
When to Furnish Plan Participants with SARs.
SAR Format.
Foreign Languages.
Furnishing of Additional Documents.
Plans Exempt from Furnishing a SAR.
Summary Plan Description
DOL Filing on Request.
When to Furnish Plan Participants with SPDs.
Plans Exempt from Furnishing SPDs to Plan Participants.
SPD Format.
Foreign Languages.
Summary of Material Modifications
DOL Filing on Request.
When to Furnish Plan Participants with SMMs.
Plans Exempt from Furnishing SMMs to Plan Participants.
SMM Format.
Method of Providing SPDs and SMMs
Electronic Delivery of SARs, SPDs, and SMMs
1116 ACCOUNTANT'S AUDIT AND REPORT REQUIREMENTS
1117 OVERVIEW OF FUNDING ISSUES
1118 FULLY INSURED PLANS
Advantages of Fully Insuring Benefits
Disadvantages of Fully Insuring Benefits
1119 SELF-INSURED PLANS
Advantages to Self-insuring Benefits
Disadvantages to Self-insuring Benefits
Using Insurance to Limit Risks
Administrative Services Only (ASO) Arrangements
1120 USING A WELFARE BENEFIT TRUST TO FUND BENEFITS
Why Use a Trust to Fund a Welfare Benefit Plan?
Taxation of Contributions and Benefit Payments
Deducting Employer Contributions.
Taxability of Benefit Payments.
Deducting Employee Contributions.
Taxation of Welfare Benefit Trusts
1121 UNDERSTANDING THE SPECIAL RULES FOR WELFARE BENEFIT FUNDS
What Is a Welfare Benefit Fund?
Ten-or-more-employer Plan Exemption
Evaluating Welfare Benefit Plans
Deducting Contributions to Welfare Benefit Funds
Qualified Direct Costs.
Qualified Asset Account Additions.
Qualified Asset Account Limit.
After-tax Income.
Overall Example.
Unrelated Income Tax
Excise Tax on Disqualified Benefits
1122 VOLUNTARY EMPLOYEE BENEFICIARY ASSOCIATIONS (VEBAS)
Qualifying for Tax-exempt Status
APPENDIX 11A: Listing of Fringe and Welfare Benefit Plans
APPENDIX 11B: Plan Document Requirements Checklist
APPENDIX 11C: Flowchart for Determining a Plan's Trust Requirements
APPENDIX 11D: Fiduciary Requirements Checklist
APPENDIX 11E: Prohibited Transaction Checklist
APPENDIX 11F: EBSA Bonding Checklist
APPENDIX 11G: Checklist for Reviewing the Plan's Claims Procedures
APPENDIX 11H: Plan Amendment Checklist
APPENDIX 11I: Plan Termination Checklist
APPENDIX 11J: Annual Filing Requirements for Welfare Benefit Plans
APPENDIX 11K: Blank SAR for Welfare Plans
APPENDIX 11L: Summary Plan Description (SPD) Checklist
APPENDIX 11M: SPD Model Statement of ERISA Rights
APPENDIX 11N: Citations of Sources Used in This Chapter
CHAPTER 12: CAFETERIA PLANS
1200 INTRODUCTION
1201 WHAT IS A CAFETERIA PLAN?
Constructive Receipt Rule
Cafeteria Plan Requirements
Currently Available Benefits
1202 THE PLAN MUST BE IN WRITING
1203 EMPLOYEES ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE
Leased Employees
Spouses and Dependents of Participants
Domestic Partners of Employees
Special Rules for Self-employed Individuals
1204 PARTICIPANTS MUST ELECT AMONG BENEFITS OFFERED
Benefit Elections Must Generally Be Irrevocable
When Benefit Elections Can Be Revoked
Events Allowing Election Changes during the Plan Year.
HIPAA Special Enrollment Rights
Change-in-status Rules
Change-in-status Events.
Consistency Rules.
Judgments, Decrees, or Orders
Entitlement to Medicare or Medicaid
Cost or Coverage Changes
Automatic Changes for Insignificant Cost Changes.
Significant Cost Changes.
Significant Coverage Curtailment.
Addition or Improvement of a Benefit Package Option.
Change in Coverage under Another Employer Plan.
Loss of Coverage under Certain Group Health Plans.
Commencement or Termination of FMLA Leave
401(k) Election Changes
COBRA Events
1205 BENEFITS ALLOWED TO BE OFFERED
Permitted Benefits in a Cafeteria Plan
Cash Equivalent Benefits.
Dependent Group-term Life Insurance.
Paid Time Off (PTO).
Qualified Nontaxable Benefits.
Contributions to 401(k) Plans.
Qualified (Taxable) Benefits.
Prohibited Benefits in a Cafeteria Plan
1206 PROHIBITION AGAINST PROVIDING DEFERRED COMPENSATION
1207 PREMIUM ONLY PLANS
1208 FLEXIBLE SPENDING ARRANGEMENTS
Use-it-or-lose-it Rule
Exception to the Use-it-or-lose-it Rule.
Medical Expense Flexible Spending Arrangements (Health FSAs)
Qualified Reservist Distributions.
Requirements for Health FSAs.
Uniform Coverage Must Be Provided throughout the Coverage Period.
Coverage Period Must Be 12 Months.
Only Expenses for Medical Care as Defined in IRC Sec. 213(d) Can Be Reimbursed.
Only Substantiated Claims May Be Reimbursed.
Reimbursement of Debit or Credit Card Expenses.
Only Medical Expenses Incurred during the Coverage Period May Be Reimbursed.
FMLA Leave and Health FSA Coverage.
Experience Gains Must Be Allocated on a Reasonable and Uniform Basis.
COBRA Coverage.
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Arrangement (Dependent Care FSA)
Use-it-or-lose-it Rule.
Providing an Adoption Assistance Program Flexible Spending Account (Adoption Assistance FSA)
Use-it-or-lose-it Rule.
1209 REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS
Form 5500
Summary Annual Report (SAR)
Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs) and Summaries of Material Modifications (SMMs)
Payroll Reporting
Forms 941 and 944 Reporting.
Form W-2 Reporting.
Form 940 Reporting.
1210 NONDISCRIMINATION REQUIREMENTS
Categories of Nondiscrimination Tests
Systematic Nondiscrimination Testing
Identifying Highly Compensated Participants and Key Employees
Identifying Highly Compensated Individuals and Participants (HCIs and HCPs).
Identifying Key Employees.
Definition of Compensation.
Performing the Eligibility Test
Nondiscriminatory Classification Test.
Excludable Employees.
Rules of Thumb.
Safe Harbor Test for Premium Only Plans (POPs).
Performing the Contributions and Benefits Test
Safe Harbor Rule for Health Benefits.
Performing the Concentration Test
Consequences of Failing Nondiscrimination Testing
When Taxable Amounts Are Included in Income.
1211 TAX TREATMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFIT PAYMENTS
Deducting Employer Contributions
Saving Taxes with a Cafeteria Plan
Payroll Tax Treatment of Benefits Purchased under a Cafeteria Plan
Flex Credits (Employer Contributions).
Cash Payments.
Payroll Tax Treatment of Employee Contributions
Withholding and Reporting on Taxable Benefits
State and Local Taxes
1212 PLAN ADMINISTRATION
1213 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PLANS THAT PROVIDE MEDICAL BENEFITS
1214 DEALING WITH IRS AUDITS
APPENDIX 12A: Cafeteria Plan Compliance Checklist
APPENDIX 12B: Sample Election to Participate
APPENDIX 12C: Sample Election Not to Participate
APPENDIX 12D: Sample Revocation of Benefit Election
APPENDIX 12E: Sample Health Coverage Change in Status Election
APPENDIX 12F: Summary of Tax Treatment of Cafeteria Plan Benefits
APPENDIX 12G: Sample Premium Only Plan (POP)
APPENDIX 12H: Safe Harbor and Unsafe Harbor Percentages
APPENDIX 12I: Sample Client Letter Regarding Cafeteria Plan Compliance Services
APPENDIX 12J: Sample Client Letter Regarding Benefits of Cafeteria Plans
APPENDIX 12K: Documents Requested by IRS during Audit of Cafeteria Plan
APPENDIX 12L: Citations of Sources Used in This Chapter
CHAPTER 13: DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
1300 INTRODUCTION
1301 DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Benefits of a Qualified DCAP
Meeting the Qualified DCAP Requirements
How Is a DCAP Funded?
Including a DCAP in a Cafeteria Plan.
Providing a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
Use-it-or-lose-it Rule.
Providing Dependent Care Assistance through an Employer Reimbursement Program.
Providing a Dependent Care Facility.
1302 REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS
Disclosure from the Employer to the Employee
Reporting from the Employer to the Government
IRS Reporting Requirements.
DOL Reporting Requirements.
1303 NONDISCRIMINATION REQUIREMENTS
Testing for Nondiscrimination
1304 TAX TREATMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFIT PAYMENTS
Employer's Tax Treatment
Employer-provided Child Care Credit
25% Credit.
10% Credit.
No Double Benefit.
Aggregation Rules.
Recapture.
Payroll Tax Implications
DCAP Provided through an Employer-sponsored Facility.
Safe Harbor FMV Determination.
Employee's Tax Treatment
Earned Income Limitation for Income Exclusion or Dependent Care Tax Credit.
Effect on Dependent Care Credit.
Special Rules for Self-employed Persons
Cafeteria Plans and Self-employed Persons.
Qualified Military Benefit
1305 EMPLOYEE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Reporting Form
Reporting Identifying Information
1306 PLAN ADMINISTRATION
Duties of a Plan Administrator
ERISA Requirements for DCAPs
1307 BENEFIT PAYMENTS
Methods of Payments
Employee Reimbursement.
Reimbursement Directly to Service Provider.
Maximum Benefit Payments Excludable from Income
Marital Status.
Expenses Qualifying for Payment under a DCAP
Qualifying Person
Special Rule for Children of Divorced or Separated Parents.
Employment-related Expense Test.
Household Services That Qualify as Dependent Care.
Dependent Care Assistance outside the Employee's Home.
Qualified Dependent Care Center.
Dependent Care Provided by Relatives.
Employer-level Reporting and Withholding on Benefit Payments
APPENDIX 13A: Dependent Care Assistance Programs Compliance Checklist
APPENDIX 13B: Sample Dependent Care Assistance Flexible Spending Account Plan
APPENDIX 13C: Sample Notice to Employees
APPENDIX 13D: Sample Dependent Care Expense Reimbursement Form
APPENDIX 13E: Citations of Sources Used in This Chapter
CHAPTER 14: EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
1400 INTRODUCTION
1401 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Qualified EAP Requirements
What to Include in the Plan Document.
Notice to Employees.
Funding a Qualified EAP
Qualified EAPs and Cafeteria Plans
1402 REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS
Form 5500
Annual Audit Requirement
Summary Plan Description and Summary of Material Modifications
Summary Annual Reports
1403 NONDISCRIMINATION REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility Test
The 5% Concentration Test
Consequences of Failing Nondiscrimination Requirements
1404 TAX TREATMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFIT PAYMENTS
Employer's Tax Treatment
Payroll Tax Implications
Educational Assistance Exceeding the $5,250 Exclusion Limit.
Employee's Tax Treatment
Relationship of Income Exclusion with Other Laws.
Special Rules for Self-employed Persons
Special Rules for Partners.
Special Rules for S Corporation Shareholders.
1405 PLAN ADMINISTRATION
The Plan Administrator
Choosing a Plan Administrator.
Duties of a Plan Administrator
Fiduciary Responsibilities.
ERISA Requirements
1406 BENEFIT PAYMENTS
Methods for Paying Benefits
Employee Reimbursement.
Payments Directly to Service Provider.
Substantiation of Educational Expenses
Maximum Benefit Payments
Expenses Qualifying for Reimbursement under an EAP
1407 OTHER TYPES OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Qualified Tuition Reductions
Tuition Reductions for Graduate Teaching and Research Assistants.
Failure of Nondiscrimination Rules.
Payroll Tax Implications.
Application of ERISA.
Job-related Educational Expenses
Payroll Tax Implications.
Qualified Scholarships
Payroll Tax Implications.
APPENDIX 14A: Educational Assistance Program Compliance Checklist
APPENDIX 14B: Checklist to Determine If an Educational Assistance Program Is Qualified
APPENDIX 14C: Sample Educational Assistance Program Document
APPENDIX 14D: Sample Summary Plan Description Educational Assistance Program
APPENDIX 14E: Employee's Income/Exclusion for Employer-provided Educational Assistance
APPENDIX 14F: Employee's Income/Exclusion for Employer-provided Educational Assistance
APPENDIX 14G: Sample Notice to Employees Availability of Educational Assistance Program
APPENDIX 14H: Checklist for Employer-related Scholarship Programs
APPENDIX 14I: Sample Educational Assistance Program Employee Reimbursement Form
APPENDIX 14J: Comparison of Code Sections Covering Education Assistance
APPENDIX 14K: Citations of Sources Used in This Chapter
CHAPTER 15: ADOPTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
1500 INTRODUCTION
1501 ADOPTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Qualified Adoption Assistance Program
Funding an Adoption Assistance Program
Including an Adoption Assistance Program in a Cafeteria Plan
Providing an Adoption Assistance Program Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
Use-it-or-lose-it Rule.
1502 BENEFIT PAYMENTS
Maximum Exclusion Amount
Adoption of an Eligible Child.
Adoption of a Child with Special Needs.
Eligible Child.
Child with Special Needs.
Filing Status of an Employee
Exclusion Is Subject to Phase-out Based on AGI
Year of Exclusion
Adoption Credit
Coordination of Credit and Exclusion
Types of Expenses That Can Be Covered
Qualified Adoption Expenses.
1503 REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS
Notification Requirements
Form W-2 Reporting Requirements
1504 NONDISCRIMINATION REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility Test
The 5% Concentration Test
Consequences of Failing Nondiscrimination Requirements
1505 TAX TREATMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFIT PAYMENTS
Employer Tax Treatment
Payroll Tax Implications
Employee Tax Treatment
Adoption Expenses Paid under an AAP.
Adoption Expenses Not Paid under an AAP.
Obtaining Tax Identification Numbers for Adopted Children.
1506 PLAN ADMINISTRATION
APPENDIX 15A: Adoption Assistance Program Compliance Checklist
APPENDIX 15B: Sample Adoption Benefit Claim Form
APPENDIX 15C: Sample Notice to Employees Availability of Adoption Assistance Program
APPENDIX 15D: Adoption Assistance Exclusion and AGI Phase-out Amounts
APPENDIX 15E: Citations of Sources Used in This Chapter
CHAPTER 16: HEALTH PLANS
1600 INTRODUCTION
1601 WHAT IS A GROUP MEDICAL PLAN?
Meeting the Plan Requirement for Income Tax Purposes
Persons Who May Be Covered by a Plan
Dependent Defined.
Domestic Partners of Employees.
FICA and FUTA Require a Plan or System of the Employer
Funding a Medical Plan
Including a Medical Plan in a Cafeteria Plan
Types of Group Medical Plans
Traditional Plans.
Managed Care.
Premium Only Plans (POPs) or Premium Conversion Plans.
Pharmacy or Prescription Drug Plans.
Dental Plans.
Vision Plans.
Employee Assistance Plans.
Archer Medical Savings Account (Archer MSA) Plans.
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs).
1602 ARCHER MEDICAL SAVINGS ACCOUNT PLANS
Small Employers
What Are the High-deductible Health Plan Limits under an Archer MSA?
Only High-deductible Health Plan Allowed.
High-deductible Plans Provided by Cafeteria Plans.
What Is an Archer Medical Savings Account (Archer MSA)?
Making Contributions to Archer MSAs
Limits on Contributions to Archer MSAs.
Amount Deductible or Excludable from Income.
When Contributions Must Be Made.
Excess Archer MSA Contributions.
Nondiscrimination (Comparability) Rules
Tax Treatment of Archer MSA Contributions
Payroll Taxes.
Reporting Archer MSA Contributions.
COBRA Coverage
Tax Treatment of Distributions from Archer MSAs
Distributions Are Not Required.
Medicare Advantage MSAs
1603 HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (HSAS)
What Is a Health Savings Account (HSA)?
Who Is Eligible to Establish an HSA?
Making Contributions to HSAs
Rollover Contributions.
Special Rules for Married Individuals.
Catch-up Contributions.
Eligibility Is Determined on a Monthly Basis
Last-month Rule.
Ineligibility to Make Contributions
Nondiscrimination Rules
Automatically Failing the Comparability Test.
Tax Treatment of HSA Contributions
Individual Contributions.
Employer Contributions.
Payroll Taxes.
Partnerships and S Corporations.
Depositing HSA Contributions
Correcting Excess Contributions
Reporting HSA Contributions
COBRA and ERISA Coverage
Tax Treatment of Distributions from HSAs
Using Debit Cards.
How to Set up an HSA
Rollovers to HSAs from Archer MSAs
Interaction of HSAs with HRAs and Health FSAs
1604 HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENTS (HRAS)
Tax Treatment of HRAs
Using Debit Cards.
Interaction of HRAs and Section 125 Health FSAs
1605 REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS
Form 5500
Audit Requirement
Summary Annual Report (SAR)
Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs) and Summaries of Material Modifications (SMMs)
Required Contents.
When to Provide to Participants.
Electronic Delivery.
Notice of Group Health Plan Mastectomy Benefits
1606 NONDISCRIMINATION REQUIREMENTS
What Is a Self-insured Medical Reimbursement Plan?
Testing a Self-insured Plan for Nondiscrimination
Consequences of Failing Nondiscrimination Testing
Discriminatory as to Eligibility.
Discriminatory as to Benefits Provided.
Discriminatory as to Both Eligibility and Benefits Provided.
Effect of Employee Contributions.
When Excess Is Included in Income.
Income and Payroll Tax Withholding.
Maintaining a Supplemental Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan for Key Executives
Health Benefits for Shareholder-employees as Constructive Dividends
1607 TAX TREATMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFIT PAYMENTS
Employer's Tax Treatment
Special Rules for Self-employed Persons
Who Is Self-employed?
Self-employed Insurance Deduction.
Self-insured Medical Plans.
What Counts as Earned Income?
Employing an Owner's Spouse.
Self-employment Savings from Employment of Sole Proprietor's Spouse.
Employee's Tax Treatment
Payroll Tax Implications
Premium Payments.
Reimbursements.
Payments and Reimbursements Outside of an Employer's Plan.
1608 PLAN ADMINISTRATION
Who Is the Plan Administrator?
Choosing a Plan Administrator.
Fiduciary Responsibilities.
ERISA Requirements
Medicare Prescription Drug Program
Disclosure Notice.
Retiree Drug Subsidy.
1609 INFORMATION ON CLAIM PROCEDURES AND WHAT BENEFITS MUST BE PROVIDED
Claim Procedures
What Benefits Must Be Provided?
Maternity Benefits.
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Benefits.
Pediatric Vaccinations.
Mastectomy Coverage.
Who Must Be Covered?
1610 QUALIFIED MEDICAL CHILD SUPPORT ORDERS
What Is a Medical Child Support Order (MCSO)?
What Is a Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMCSO)?
Plan Procedures for Implementing a QMCSO
Who Is an Alternate Recipient?
National Medical Support Notice (NMSN)
1611 COBRA AND USERRA REQUIREMENTS
What Businesses Are Covered by COBRA?
Who Is a Qualified Beneficiary?
Qualifying Events
What Notices Are Required?
The Election Period
Required Benefits
Coverage Duration and Termination
Premiums
COBRA Premium Assistance Payments
Assistance Eligible Individuals (AEIs).
Involuntary Termination.
Type of Health Coverage Available.
Length of Eligibility for Premium Assistance.
Calculating the Premium Assistance Payment.
Effect of the Premium Subsidy on the AEI.
Required Notices.
Comparable State Continuation Coverage.
Required Recordkeeping.
COBRA Continuation Coverage for Health Flexible Spending Arrangements
COBRA Continuation Coverage for Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs)
IRS Penalties for Failing to Provide COBRA Continuation Coverage
State Continuation Laws
USERRA Continuation Laws
1612 HIPAA PORTABILITY REQUIREMENTS
Plans Subject to HIPAA Portability Requirements
Limits on Excluding Health Coverage for Pre-existing Conditions
Notice Requirements.
Crediting Prior Coverage.
Special Enrollment Periods
Nondiscrimination Rules
Prohibited Discrimination.
Nonconfinement and Actively-at-work Provisions.
Wellness Program.
Certificates of Coverage
Certification-eligible Individuals.
When Certificates Must Be Issued.
Penalties for Failure to Comply
HIPAA Privacy Regulations
Patient Rights.
Use and Release of Medical Records.
Safeguarding Health Information.
HHS Security Regulations.
Penalties.
Exceptions to Consent Requirement.
State Privacy Laws.
1613 FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT REQUIREMENTS
Effect on Group Health Benefits
Continuance of Coverage.
Who Must Pay the Premium?
When Does the Employer's Obligation End?
Recouping Employer-paid Premiums If Employee Does Not Return from Leave.
APPENDIX 16A: Group Medical Plan Compliance Checklist
APPENDIX 16B: Sample Summary Plan Description for a Group Medical Plan
APPENDIX 16C: Comparison of Health Accounts
APPENDIX 16D: Sample Medical Reimbursement Plan Document for Sole Proprietor
APPENDIX 16E: Model General Notice of COBRA Continuation
APPENDIX 16F: Model Notice for Electing COBRA Continuation Coverage
APPENDIX 16G: Self-employed Health Insurance Deduction Worksheet
APPENDIX 16H: 2009 HSA Monthly Contribution Worksheet
APPENDIX 16I: COBRA Notice Requirements
APPENDIX 16J: COBRA Continuation Periods
APPENDIX 16K: Citations of Sources Used in This Chapter
CHAPTER 17: DISABILITY INCOME PLANS
1700 INTRODUCTION
1701 WHAT IS A DISABILITY INCOME PLAN?
Funding a Disability Income Plan
Including a Disability Income Plan in a Cafeteria Plan
Including Disability Insurance in a 401(k) Plan
Types of Disability Income Plans
1702 REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS
Form 5500
Audit Requirement
Summary Annual Report
Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs) and Summaries of Material Modifications (SMMs)
1703 NONDISCRIMINATION REQUIREMENTS
Nondiscrimination Requirements of the IRC
Other Nondiscrimination Requirements
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA).
Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 (PDA).
1704 TAX TREATMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFIT PAYMENTS
Employer's Tax Treatment
Special Rules for Self-employed Persons
Sole Proprietors.
Partners and More-than-2% S Corporation Shareholders.
Employee's Tax Treatment
Premium Payments and Other Contributions to the Plan.
Receipt of Disability Income Benefits.
Calculating Taxable Benefits.
Both Employee and Employer Contributions Are Made to the Plan.
Plan Funded with Individual Policies.
Plan Funded with Group Policy.
Self-insured Plans.
Self-employed Individuals.
Workers' Compensation Benefits.
Dismemberment Benefits.
Medical Expense Reimbursements.
Tax Credit for the Permanently and Totally Disabled.
Payroll Tax Implications
Federal Income Tax Withholding.
FICA and FUTA Taxes.
Who Is Responsible for Paying the Payroll Taxes?
Providing Information to Third-party Payers.
Reporting Disability Payments.
1705 PLAN ADMINISTRATION
Who Is the Plan Administrator?
Choosing a Plan Administrator.
What Are the Duties of a Plan Administrator?
Fiduciary Responsibilities.
ERISA Requirements
1706 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
COBRA Requirements
HIPAA Portability Requirements
Family Medical Leave Act Requirements
APPENDIX 17A: Disability Income Plan Compliance Checklist
APPENDIX 17B: Sample Summary Plan Description for a Disability Income Plan
APPENDIX 17C: Sample Summary of Material Modifications for a Disability Income Plan
APPENDIX 17D: Sample Paid Sick Leave Policy
APPENDIX 17E: Worksheet to Calculate Taxable Disability Income Payments
APPENDIX 17F: Citations of Sources Used in This Chapter
CHAPTER 18: GROUP LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE PLANS
1800 INTRODUCTION
1801 DEFINING A GROUP LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE PLAN
Funding a Group Long-term Care Insurance Plan
Including a Group Long-term Care Insurance Plan in a Cafeteria Plan
Types of Group Long-term Care Insurance Plans
Receiving Preferential Tax Treatment for an LTC Plan
Qualified Long-term Care Insurance Contract.
Qualified Long-term Care Services.
Chronically Ill Individual.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
Licensed Health Care Practitioner.
Changes Made by the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA)
1802 REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS
Form 5500
When to File Form 5500
Audit Requirement
Summary Annual Report (SAR)
Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs) and Summaries of Material Modifications (SMMs)
1803 NONDISCRIMINATION REQUIREMENTS
Providing LTC Insurance under a Group Plan
Providing LTC Insurance to Closely Held C Corporation Shareholder-employees
Providing LTC Insurance to S Corporation Shareholder/Employees
1804 TAX TREATMENT OF PREMIUM AND BENEFIT PAYMENTS
Employer's Tax Treatment
Special Rules for Self-employed Persons
Who Is Self-employed?
Limiting the Special Nonbusiness Deduction.
Employing an Owner's Spouse.
Employee's Tax Treatment
Employer-paid Long-term Care Insurance Premiums.
Employee-paid Long-term Care Insurance Premiums.
Health Care Reimbursements of Employee-paid Long-term Care Premiums.
Long-term Care Insurance Reimbursements.
Unreimbursed Long-term Care Costs.
Limit on Exclusion If Policy Pays Per Diem Benefits.
Payroll Tax Implications
Long-term Care Insurance Premiums.
Long-term Care Benefit Payments.
1805 PLAN ADMINISTRATION
Who Is the Plan Administrator?
Choosing a Plan Administrator.
What Are the Duties of a Plan Administrator?
Fiduciary Responsibilities.
ERISA Requirements
1806 SELECTING AN LTC POLICY
Practical Considerations
Rating the Insurance Company's Financial Strength.
Level of Care.
Events That Trigger Benefits.
Costs.
Benefit Payments.
Consumer Protection.
1807 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
COBRA Requirements
HIPAA Portability Requirements
Family Medical Leave Act Requirements
APPENDIX 18A: Group Long-term Care Insurance Plan Compliance Checklist
APPENDIX 18B: Long-term Care Insurance Policy Provisions Checklist
APPENDIX 18C: Citations of Sources Used in This Chapter
CHAPTER 19: GROUP-TERM LIFE INSURANCE PLANS
1900 INTRODUCTION
1901 GROUP-TERM LIFE INSURANCE PLAN
Funding a Group-term Life Insurance Plan
Group-term Life Insurance Plan Included in a Cafeteria Plan
Types of Group-term Life Insurance Plans
Requirements for Special Tax Treatment
Policies Providing Permanent Benefits.
1902 REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS
Form 5500
Audit Requirement
Summary Annual Report (SAR)
Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs) and Summaries of Material Modifications (SMMs)
Notice of the Reduction or Termination of Benefits
1903 NONDISCRIMINATION REQUIREMENTS
Systematic Approach to Nondiscrimination Testing
Special Rules for Conducting Nondiscrimination Tests
Aggregating Policies.
Different Layers of Coverage Based on Multiples of Compensation Must Be Tested Separately.
Employee Purchases of Additional Insurance.
Separate Nondiscrimination Testing Required for Active and Former Employees.
Consequences of Failing Nondiscrimination Testing
1904 TAX TREATMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFIT PAYMENTS
Employer's Tax Treatment
Special Rules for Self-employed Persons
Sole Proprietors.
Partners, LLC Members, and More-than-2% S Corporation Shareholders.
Employee's Tax Treatment of Premium Payments
Qualified Coverage.
Nonqualified Coverage.
Coverage for Employee's Spouse or Dependents.
Coverage for Domestic Partners.
Payroll Tax Implications
Former or Retired Employees.
Spouse or Dependent Coverage.
1905 PLAN ADMINISTRATION
The Plan Administrator
Choosing a Plan Administrator.
Duties of a Plan Administrator
Fiduciary Responsibilities.
Conversion Privileges.
ERISA Requirements
1906 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
COBRA and HIPAA Portability Requirements
Family Medical Leave Act Requirements
1907 DEATH BENEFITS
Death Benefit Plans Subject to ERISA
Death Benefit Plans Subject to Nondiscrimination Requirements
Death Benefits Included in a Cafeteria Plan
COBRA, HIPAA Portability, and Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Requirements
Death Benefit Only (DBO) Plans
1908 GROUP-PERMANENT LIFE INSURANCE
Common Types of Permanent Insurance
Whole Life Insurance.
Group Universal Life Insurance.
Tax Treatment of Group-permanent Life Insurance Premium Payments
Special Rules for Self-employed Persons.
Sole Proprietors.
Partners, LLC Members, and More-than-2% S Corporation Shareholders.
Tax Treatment of Death Benefits
1909 SPLIT-DOLLAR LIFE INSURANCE ARRANGEMENTS
IRS Audit Initiatives
What Is Split-dollar Insurance?
Typical Structure of Split-dollar Arrangements
S Corporation Split-dollar Arrangements.
Noncorporate Employers.
Employer's Tax Treatment
Rules for COLI Policies.
Employee's Tax Treatment
Material Modifications.
Split-dollar Arrangements Entered into before September 18, 2003
Loan Treatment.
Economic Benefit Treatment.
Payroll Tax Treatment
Policy Dividends.
Split-dollar Arrangements Entered into after September 17, 2003
Economic Benefit Regime.
Loan Regime.
Below-market Interest and OID Rules under the Loan Regime.
Applying the Section 409A Rules to Split-dollar Life Insurance Arrangements
Sarbanes-Oxley and Split-dollar Life Insurance Arrangements
Split-dollar Life Insurance Taxed under Group-term Rates
APPENDIX 19A: Group-term Life Insurance Plan Compliance Checklist
APPENDIX 19B: Checklist to Determine If Group-term Life Insurance Coverage Is Qualified
APPENDIX 19C: Taxable Amount of Group-term Life Insurance
APPENDIX 19D: Sample Summary Plan Description for a Group-term Life Insurance Plan
APPENDIX 19E: Sample Summary of Material Modifications for a Group-term Life Insurance Plan
APPENDIX 19F: P.S. 58 Rates--Uniform One-year Term Premiums for $1,000 Coverage
APPENDIX 19G: Table 2001--Table of One-year Term Premiums for $1,000 of Life Insurance Protection
APPENDIX 19H: Tax Treatment of Employer-provided Life Insurance Coverage
APPENDIX 19I: Citations of Sources Used in This Chapter
CHAPTER 20: QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS
2000 INTRODUCTION
2001 IDENTIFYING THE KEY FEATURES OF DIFFERENT PLANS
Payroll Deduction IRA (or Roth IRA)
Deemed IRAs
2002 EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS TO QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS
Section 415 Limit on Annual Additions and Benefits
Employer's Tax Deduction
Defined Benefit Plans.
Life Insurance-funded Plan [Section 412(i) Plan].
Profit-sharing, Money Purchase, and Stock Bonus Plans.
Payroll Deduction IRAs.
SEPs.
SIMPLE IRA Plans.
Combined Plans.
Income and Payroll Tax Treatment of Contributions
2003 QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLAN DISTRIBUTIONS
Minimum Distribution Rules
Income and Payroll Tax Treatment of Distributions
Withholding on Pensions and Annuities.
Eligible Rollover Distributions.
Corrective Distributions.
Periodic Payments.
Nonperiodic Payments.
Form 945.
Form 1099-R.
Taxable and Nontaxable Distributions.
Designated Roth 401(k) Account Distributions.
2004 FORM 5500 FILING REQUIREMENTS
Form 5500
When Form 5500-EZ Can Be Filed
2005 CASH OR DEFERRED ARRANGEMENTS [401(K) PLANS]
Contribution Limits
Employee Elective Deferrals
Catch-up Contributions for Participants Age 50 and Over.
Automatic Enrollment for 401(k) Plans.
Elective Deferral Limit.
Tax Treatment of 401(k) Contributions
401(k) Contributions under a Cafeteria Plan
Safe Harbor 401(k) Plans
One-person 401(k) Plans
SIMPLE 401(k) Plans
Qualified Roth Contribution Program
2006 DEALING WITH TAX-SHELTERED ANNUITY [403(B)] PLANS
Annual Additions
Employee Elective Deferrals
Catch-up Contributions.
Tax Treatment of Contributions
2007 ADOPTING A SAVINGS INCENTIVE MATCH PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES (SIMPLE IRA PLAN)
Employer Contribution Limits
Employee Elective Deferrals
Catch-up Contributions
Tax Treatment of Contributions
Depositing Contributions
Administrative Requirements
2008 TAX CREDITS FOR RETIREMENT PLANS
Credit for Contributions
Credit for New Retirement Plan Expenses
APPENDIX 20A: Key Features of Qualified Plans
APPENDIX 20B: Qualified Plan Data Sheet
APPENDIX 20C: 2009 Participant Elective Deferral Limitation Worksheet
APPENDIX 20D: Citations of Sources Used in This Chapter
Continuing Professional Education
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