Reporting Developments Affecting Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation
The Internal Revenue Service recently announced that it will treat contributions to single-employer defined benefit pension plans, previously extended to January 1, 2021 by the CARES Act, as timely if made no later than January 4, 2021 (which is the first business day after January 1, 2021).
Read MoreThe Internal Revenue Service announced the 2021 cost-of-living adjustments to the dollar limitations for qualified retirement plans and other benefits, and the Social Security Administration announced its own cost-of-living adjustments for 2021. Most of the dollar limits, including the elective deferral contribution limit for 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans and the dollar limit for catch-up contributions (if age 50 or older), will remain unchanged from 2020 limits.
Read MoreThe economic uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many employers to furlough or layoff a significant percentage of their workforce. These workforce reductions may inadvertently cause a “partial termination” of the employer’s qualified retirement plan triggering a requirement that all affected participants become 100% vested in their plan accounts.
Read MoreOn August 8, 2020, President Trump issued the Presidential Memorandum on Deferring Payroll Tax Obligations in Light of the Ongoing COVID-19 Disaster (the “Executive Order”). The Executive Order instructed the Treasury Department to provide guidance authorizing employers to defer the collection and deposit of employee payroll tax obligations.
Read MoreDallas Partner Stefan Smith has been elected to the SouthWest Benefits Association (SWBA) Board of Directors, a regional, non-profit association designed to foster relationships and support the educational growth of professionals in employee benefits. His three-year term was effective July 1.
Read MoreOn July 31, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Treasury Department issued Proposed Treasury Regulations (the “Proposed Regs”) providing guidance under the “carried interest” rules of Section 1061 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Please see our Quick Study “IRS Issues Carried Interest Guidance” for more detail.
Read MoreThe Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued helpful guidance to plan sponsors of safe harbor 401(k) plans that are considering reducing or suspending safe harbor employer matching contributions or safe harbor nonelective contributions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As explained below, IRS Notice 2020-52 provides temporary relief from certain requirements that would otherwise apply for making mid-year amendments to safe harbor 401(k) plans.
Read MoreThe Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury jointly released additional frequently asked questions (“FAQs”) regarding implementation of the health coverage provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”); the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), and other health coverage issues related to COVID-19.
Read MoreThe Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued Notice 2020-51 which provides much needed guidance concerning the waiver of 2020 required minimum distributions (“RMDs”) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). The Notice also includes transition relief for plan administrators regarding the change to the required beginning date for RMDs under the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (“SECURE Act”).
Read MoreLori Basilico and Phil Bush review IRS Notice 2020-50 which provides helpful guidance for plan sponsors and plan participants who wish to take advantage of the enhanced distribution and loan provisions under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
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