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26 U.S.C. § 409A — Inclusion in gross income of deferred
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
Page 1348
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 409A
Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] (or any cor-
responding provision of prior law) made after March 29,
1975.’’
Amendment by sections 334 and 336 of Pub. L. 97–34
applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31,
1981, see section 339 of Pub. L. 97–34, set out as a note
under section 401 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1980 AMENDMENTS
Pub. L. 96–605, title II, § 224(b), Dec. 28, 1980, 94 Stat.
3529, provided that: ‘‘The amendment made by sub-
section (a) [amending this section] shall apply with re-
spect to qualified investment for taxable years begin-
ning after December 31, 1978.’’
Amendment by Pub. L. 96–222 effective, except as oth-
erwise provided, as if it had been included in the provi-
sions of the Revenue Act of 1978, Pub. L. 95–600, to
which such amendment relates, see section 201 of Pub.
L. 96–222, set out as a note under section 32 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Pub. L. 95–600, title I, § 141(g), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat.
2795, as added by Pub. L. 96–222, title I, § 101(a)(7)(B),
Apr. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 197; amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2,
Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that:
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Except as otherwise provided in
this subsection and subsection (h) [set out as an Effec-
tive Date of 1978 Amendment note under section 4975 of
this title], the amendments made by this section [en-
acting sections 409A [now 409] and 6699 of this title and
amending sections 46, 48, 56, 401, 404, 415, 805, 1504, and
4975 of this title] shall apply with respect to qualified
investment for taxable years beginning after December
31, 1978.
‘‘(2) ELECTION
TO
HAVE
AMENDMENTS
APPLY
DURING
1978.—At the election of the taxpayer, paragraph (1)
shall be applied by substituting ‘December 31, 19
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Page 1348
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 409A
Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] (or any cor-
responding provision of prior law) made after March 29,
1975.’’
Amendment by sections 334 and 336 of Pub. L. 97–34
applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31,
1981, see section 339 of Pub. L. 97–34, set out as a note
under section 401 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1980 AMENDMENTS
Pub. L. 96–605, title II, § 224(b), Dec. 28, 1980, 94 Stat.
3529, provided that: ‘‘The amendment made by sub-
section (a) [amending this section] shall apply with re-
spect to qualified investment for taxable years begin-
ning after December 31, 1978.’’
Amendment by Pub. L. 96–222 effective, except as oth-
erwise provided, as if it had been included in the provi-
sions of the Revenue Act of 1978, Pub. L. 95–600, to
which such amendment relates, see section 201 of Pub.
L. 96–222, set out as a note under section 32 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Pub. L. 95–600, title I, § 141(g), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat.
2795, as added by Pub. L. 96–222, title I, § 101(a)(7)(B),
Apr. 1, 1980, 94 Stat. 197; amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2,
Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that:
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Except as otherwise provided in
this subsection and subsection (h) [set out as an Effec-
tive Date of 1978 Amendment note under section 4975 of
this title], the amendments made by this section [en-
acting sections 409A [now 409] and 6699 of this title and
amending sections 46, 48, 56, 401, 404, 415, 805, 1504, and
4975 of this title] shall apply with respect to qualified
investment for taxable years beginning after December
31, 1978.
‘‘(2) ELECTION
TO
HAVE
AMENDMENTS
APPLY
DURING
1978.—At the election of the taxpayer, paragraph (1)
shall be applied by substituting ‘December 31, 1977’ for
‘December 31, 1978’; except that in the case of a plan in
existence before December 31, 1978, any such election
shall not affect the required allocation of employer se-
curities attributable to qualified investment for tax-
able years beginning before January 1, 1979. An election
under the preceding sentence shall be made at such
time and in such manner as the Secretary of the Treas-
ury or his delegate shall prescribe. Such an election,
once made, shall be irrevocable.
‘‘(3) VOTING RIGHT PROVISIONS.—Section 409A(e) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] (as
added by subsection (a)) [now section 409] shall apply to
plans to which section 409A of such Code applies, begin-
ning with the first day of such application.
‘‘(4) RIGHT TO DEMAND EMPLOYER SECURITIES, ETC.—
Paragraphs (1)(A) and (2) of section 409A(h) of the Inter-
nal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by subsection (a))
[now section 409] shall apply to distributions after De-
cember 31, 1978, made by a plan to which section 409A
of such Code applies.
‘‘(5) SUBSECTION (f)(7).—The amendment made by sub-
section (f)(7) [amending section 415 of this title] shall
apply to years beginning after December 31, 1978.
‘‘(6) RETROACTIVE APPLICATION OF AMENDMENT MADE
BY SUBSECTION (d).—In determining the regular tax de-
duction under [former] section 56(c) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 for any taxable year beginning be-
fore January 1, 1979, the amount of the credit allowable
under section 38 of such Code shall be determined with-
out regard to section 46(a)(2)(B) of such Code (as in ef-
fect before the enactment of the Energy Tax Act of 1978
[Nov. 9, 1978]).’’
PLAN AMENDMENTS NOT REQUIRED UNTIL
JANUARY 1, 1989
For provisions directing that if any amendments
made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§ 1101–1147
and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§ 1800–1899A] of Pub. L.
99–514 require an amendment to any plan, such plan
amendment shall not be required to be made before the
first plan year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1989, see
section 1140 of Pub. L. 99–514, as amended, set out as a
note under section 401 of this title.
§ 409A. Inclusion in gross income of deferred
compensation under nonqualified deferred
compensation plans
(a) Rules relating to constructive receipt
(1) Plan failures
(A) Gross income inclusion
(i) In general
If at any time during a taxable year a
nonqualified deferred compensation plan—
(I) fails to meet the requirements of
paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), or
(II) is not operated in accordance with
such requirements,
all compensation deferred under the plan
for the taxable year and all preceding tax-
able years shall be includible in gross in-
come for the taxable year to the extent
not subject to a substantial risk of for-
feiture and not previously included in
gross income.
(ii) Application only to affected partici-
pants
Clause (i) shall only apply with respect
to all compensation deferred under the
plan for participants with respect to whom
the failure relates.
(B) Interest and additional tax payable with
respect to previously deferred compensa-
tion
(i) In general
If compensation is required to be in-
cluded in gross income under subparagraph
(A) for a taxable year, the tax imposed by
this chapter for the taxable year shall be
increased by the sum of—
(I) the amount of interest determined
under clause (ii), and
(II) an amount equal to 20 percent of
the compensation which is required to be
included in gross income.
(ii) Interest
For purposes of clause (i), the interest
determined under this clause for any tax-
able year is the amount of interest at the
underpayment rate plus 1 percentage point
on the underpayments that would have oc-
curred had the deferred compensation been
includible in gross income for the taxable
year in which first deferred or, if later, the
first taxable year in which such deferred
compensation is not subject to a substan-
tial risk of forfeiture.
(2) Distributions
(A) In general
The requirements of this paragraph are
met if the plan provides that compensation
deferred under the plan may not be distrib-
uted earlier than—
(i) separation from service as determined
by the Secretary (except as provided in
subparagraph (B)(i)),
(ii) the date the participant becomes dis-
abled (within the meaning of subparagraph
(C)),
(iii) death,
Page 1349
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 409A
(iv) a specified time (or pursuant to a
fixed schedule) specified under the plan at
the date of the deferral of such compensa-
tion,
(v) to the extent provided by the Sec-
retary, a change in the ownership or effec-
tive control of the corporation, or in the
ownership of a substantial portion of the
assets of the corporation, or
(vi) the occurrence of an unforeseeable
emergency.
(B) Special rules
(i) Specified employees
In the case of any specified employee,
the requirement of subparagraph (A)(i) is
met only if distributions may not be made
before the date which is 6 months after the
date of separation from service (or, if ear-
lier, the date of death of the employee).
For purposes of the preceding sentence, a
specified employee is a key employee (as
defined in section 416(i) without regard to
paragraph (5) thereof) of a corporation any
stock in which is publicly traded on an es-
tablished securities market or otherwise.
(ii) Unforeseeable emergency
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(vi)—
(I) In general
The term ‘‘unforeseeable emergency’’
means a severe financial hardship to the
participant resulting from an illness or
accident of the participant, the partici-
pant’s spouse, or a dependent (as defined
in section 152(a)) of the participant, loss
of the participant’s property due to cas-
ualty, or other similar extraordinary and
unforeseeable circumstances arising as a
result of events beyond the control of
the participant.
(II) Limitation on distributions
The
requirement
of
subparagraph
(A)(vi) is met only if, as determined
under regulations of the Secretary, the
amounts distributed with respect to an
emergency do not exceed the amounts
necessary to satisfy such emergency plus
amounts necessary to pay taxes reason-
ably anticipated as a result of the dis-
tribution, after taking into account the
extent to which such hardship is or may
be relieved through reimbursement or
compensation by insurance or otherwise
or by liquidation of the participant’s as-
sets (to the extent the liquidation of
such assets would not itself cause severe
financial hardship).
(C) Disabled
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), a
participant shall be considered disabled if
the participant—
(i) is unable to engage in any substantial
gainful activity by reason of any medi-
cally determinable physical or mental im-
pairment which can be expected to result
in death or can be expected to last for a
continuous period of not less than 12
months, or
(ii) is, by reason of any medically deter-
minable physical or mental impairment
which can be expected to result in death or
can be expected to last for a continuous
period of not less than 12 months, receiv-
ing income replacement benefits for a pe-
riod of not less than 3 months under an ac-
cident and health plan covering employees
of the participant’s employer.
(3) Acceleration of benefits
The requirements of this paragraph are met
if the plan does not permit the acceleration of
the time or schedule of any payment under the
plan, except as provided in regulations by the
Secretary.
(4) Elections
(A) In general
The requirements of this paragraph are
met if the requirements of subparagraphs (B)
and (C) are met.
(B) Initial deferral decision
(i) In general
The requirements of this subparagraph
are met if the plan provides that com-
pensation for services performed during a
taxable year may be deferred at the par-
ticipant’s election only if the election to
defer such compensation is made not later
than the close of the preceding taxable
year or at such other time as provided in
regulations.
(ii) First year of eligibility
In the case of the first year in which a
participant becomes eligible to participate
in the plan, such election may be made
with respect to services to be performed
subsequent to the election within 30 days
after the date the participant becomes eli-
gible to participate in such plan.
(iii) Performance-based compensation
In the case of any performance-based
compensation based on services performed
over a period of at least 12 months, such
election may be made no later than 6
months before the end of the period.
(C) Changes in time and form of distribution
The requirements of this subparagraph are
met if, in the case of a plan which permits
under a subsequent election a delay in a pay-
ment or a change in the form of payment—
(i) the plan requires that such election
may not take effect until at least 12
months after the date on which the elec-
tion is made,
(ii) in the case of an election related to
a payment not described in clause (ii), (iii),
or (vi) of paragraph (2)(A), the plan re-
quires that the payment with respect to
which such election is made be deferred for
a period of not less than 5 years from the
date such payment would otherwise have
been made, and
(iii) the plan requires that any election
related to a payment described in para-
graph (2)(A)(iv) may not be made less than
12 months prior to the date of the first
scheduled payment under such paragraph.
Page 1350
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 409A
(b) Rules relating to funding
(1) Offshore property in a trust
In the case of assets set aside (directly or in-
directly) in a trust (or other arrangement de-
termined by the Secretary) for purposes of
paying deferred compensation under a non-
qualified deferred compensation plan, for pur-
poses of section 83 such assets shall be treated
as property transferred in connection with the
performance of services whether or not such
assets are available to satisfy claims of gen-
eral creditors—
(A) at the time set aside if such assets (or
such trust or other arrangement) are located
outside of the United States, or
(B) at the time transferred if such assets
(or such trust or other arrangement) are
subsequently transferred outside of the
United States.
This paragraph shall not apply to assets lo-
cated in a foreign jurisdiction if substantially
all of the services to which the nonqualified
deferred compensation relates are performed
in such jurisdiction.
(2) Employer’s financial health
In the case of compensation deferred under a
nonqualified
deferred
compensation
plan,
there is a transfer of property within the
meaning of section 83 with respect to such
compensation as of the earlier of—
(A) the date on which the plan first pro-
vides that assets will become restricted to
the provision of benefits under the plan in
connection with a change in the employer’s
financial health, or
(B) the date on which assets are so re-
stricted,
whether or not such assets are available to
satisfy claims of general creditors.
(3) Treatment of employer’s defined benefit
plan during restricted period
(A) In general
If—
(i) during any restricted period with re-
spect to a single-employer defined benefit
plan, assets are set aside or reserved (di-
rectly or indirectly) in a trust (or other ar-
rangement as determined by the Sec-
retary) or transferred to such a trust or
other arrangement for purposes of paying
deferred compensation of an applicable
covered employee under a nonqualified de-
ferred compensation plan of the plan spon-
sor or member of a controlled group which
includes the plan sponsor, or
(ii) a nonqualified deferred compensation
plan of the plan sponsor or member of a
controlled group which includes the plan
sponsor provides that assets will become
restricted to the provision of benefits
under the plan to an applicable covered
employee in connection with such re-
stricted period (or other similar financial
measure determined by the Secretary)
with respect to the defined benefit plan, or
assets are so restricted,
such assets shall, for purposes of section 83,
be treated as property transferred in connec-
tion with the performance of services wheth-
er or not such assets are available to satisfy
claims of general creditors. Clause (i) shall
not apply with respect to any assets which
are so set aside before the restricted period
with respect to the defined benefit plan.
(B) Restricted period
For purposes of this section, the term ‘‘re-
stricted period’’ means, with respect to any
plan described in subparagraph (A)—
(i) any period during which the plan is in
at-risk status (as defined in section 430(i)),
(ii) any period the plan sponsor is a debt-
or in a case under title 11, United States
Code, or similar Federal or State law, and
(iii) the 12-month period beginning on
the date which is 6 months before the ter-
mination date of the plan if, as of the ter-
mination date, the plan is not sufficient
for benefit liabilities (within the meaning
of section 4041 of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974).
(C) Special rule for payment of taxes on de-
ferred compensation included in income
If an employer provides directly or indi-
rectly for the payment of any Federal,
State, or local income taxes with respect to
any compensation required to be included in
gross income by reason of this paragraph—
(i) interest shall be imposed under sub-
section (a)(1)(B)(i)(I) on the amount of
such payment in the same manner as if
such payment was part of the deferred
compensation to which it relates,
(ii) such payment shall be taken into ac-
count in determining the amount of the
additional
tax
under
subsection
(a)(1)(B)(i)(II) in the same manner as if
such payment was part of the deferred
compensation to which it relates, and
(iii) no deduction shall be allowed under
this title with respect to such payment.
(D) Other definitions
For purposes of this section—
(i) Applicable covered employee
The term ‘‘applicable covered employee’’
means any—
(I) covered employee of a plan sponsor,
(II) covered employee of a member of a
controlled group which includes the plan
sponsor, and
(III) former employee who was a cov-
ered employee at the time of termi-
nation of employment with the plan
sponsor or a member of a controlled
group which includes the plan sponsor.
(ii) Covered employee
The term ‘‘covered employee’’ means an
individual described in section 162(m)(3) or
an individual subject to the requirements
of section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
(4) Income inclusion for offshore trusts and
employer’s financial health
For each taxable year that assets treated as
transferred under this subsection remain set
aside in a trust or other arrangement subject
Page 1351
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 409A
to paragraph (1), (2), or (3), any increase in
value in, or earnings with respect to, such as-
sets shall be treated as an additional transfer
of property under this subsection (to the ex-
tent not previously included in income).
(5) Interest on tax liability payable with re-
spect to transferred property
(A) In general
If amounts are required to be included in
gross income by reason of paragraph (1), (2),
or (3) for a taxable year, the tax imposed by
this chapter for such taxable year shall be
increased by the sum of—
(i) the amount of interest determined
under subparagraph (B), and
(ii) an amount equal to 20 percent of the
amounts required to be included in gross
income.
(B) Interest
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the in-
terest determined under this subparagraph
for any taxable year is the amount of inter-
est at the underpayment rate plus 1 percent-
age point on the underpayments that would
have occurred had the amounts so required
to be included in gross income by paragraph
(1), (2), or (3) been includible in gross income
for the taxable year in which first deferred
or, if later, the first taxable year in which
such amounts are not subject to a substan-
tial risk of forfeiture.
(c) No inference on earlier income inclusion or
requirement of later inclusion
Nothing in this section shall be construed to
prevent the inclusion of amounts in gross in-
come under any other provision of this chapter
or any other rule of law earlier than the time
provided in this section. Any amount included
in gross income under this section shall not be
required to be included in gross income under
any other provision of this chapter or any other
rule of law later than the time provided in this
section.
(d) Other definitions and special rules
For purposes of this section:
(1) Nonqualified deferred compensation plan
The term ‘‘nonqualified deferred compensa-
tion plan’’ means any plan that provides for
the deferral of compensation, other than—
(A) a qualified employer plan, and
(B) any bona fide vacation leave, sick
leave, compensatory time, disability pay, or
death benefit plan.
(2) Qualified employer plan
The term ‘‘qualified employer plan’’ means—
(A) any plan, contract, pension, account,
or trust described in subparagraph (A) or (B)
of section 219(g)(5) (without regard to sub-
paragraph (A)(iii)),
(B) any eligible deferred compensation
plan (within the meaning of section 457(b)),
and
(C) any plan described in section 415(m).
(3) Plan includes arrangements, etc.
The term ‘‘plan’’ includes any agreement or
arrangement, including an agreement or ar-
rangement that includes one person.
(4) Substantial risk of forfeiture
The rights of a person to compensation are
subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture if
such person’s rights to such compensation are
conditioned upon the future performance of
substantial services by any individual.
(5) Treatment of earnings
References to deferred compensation shall be
treated as including references to income
(whether actual or notional) attributable to
such compensation or such income.
(6) Aggregation rules
Except as provided by the Secretary, rules
similar to the rules of subsections (b) and (c)
of section 414 shall apply.
(7) Treatment of qualified stock
An arrangement under which an employee
may receive qualified stock (as defined in sec-
tion 83(i)(2)) shall not be treated as a non-
qualified deferred compensation plan with re-
spect to such employee solely because of such
employee’s election, or ability to make an
election, to defer recognition of income under
section 83(i).
(e) Regulations
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations
as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out
the purposes of this section, including regula-
tions—
(1)
providing
for
the
determination
of
amounts of deferral in the case of a non-
qualified deferred compensation plan which is
a defined benefit plan,
(2) relating to changes in the ownership and
control of a corporation or assets of a corpora-
tion for purposes of subsection (a)(2)(A)(v),
(3) exempting arrangements from the appli-
cation of subsection (b) if such arrangements
will not result in an improper deferral of
United States tax and will not result in assets
being effectively beyond the reach of credi-
tors,
(4) defining financial health for purposes of
subsection (b)(2), and
(5) disregarding a substantial risk of for-
feiture in cases where necessary to carry out
the purposes of this section.
(Added Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 885(a), Oct. 22,
2004, 118 Stat. 1634; amended Pub. L. 109–135, title
IV, § 403(hh)(2), Dec. 21, 2005, 119 Stat. 2631; Pub.
L. 109–280, title I, § 116(a), (b), Aug. 17, 2006, 120
Stat. 856, 858; Pub. L. 110–458, title I, § 101(e), Dec.
23, 2008, 122 Stat. 5100; Pub. L. 115–97, title I,
§ 13603(c)(2), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2164; Pub. L.
115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(80), Mar. 23, 2018,
132 Stat. 1187.)
Editorial Notes
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Section 4041 of the Employee Retirement Income Se-
curity Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(B)(iii), is
classified to section 1341 of Title 29, Labor.
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(D)(ii), is classified to sec-
tion 78p(a) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 409A was renumbered section 409 of
this title.
Page 1352
TITLE 26—INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
§ 409A
AMENDMENTS
2018—Subsec. (b)(3)(B)(i). Pub. L. 115–141 substituted
comma for semicolon at end.
2017—Subsec. (d)(7). Pub. L. 115–97 added par. (7).
2008—Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 110–458 inserted ‘‘to
an applicable covered employee’’ after ‘‘under the
plan’’.
2006—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 109–280, § 116(a), added par.
(3). Former par. (3) redesignated (4).
Subsec. (b)(4), (5). Pub. L. 109–280 redesignated pars.
(3) and (4) as (4) and (5), respectively, and substituted
‘‘paragraph (1), (2), or (3)’’ for ‘‘paragraph (1) or (2)’’
wherever appearing.
2005—Subsec. (a)(4)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 109–135 struck out
‘‘first’’ after ‘‘requires that the’’.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2017 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–97 applicable to stock at-
tributable to options exercised, or restricted stock
units settled, after Dec. 31, 2017, see section 13603(f)(1)
of Pub. L. 115–97, set out as a note under section 83 of
this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2008 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 110–458 effective as if included
in the provisions of Pub. L. 109–280 to which the amend-
ment relates, except as otherwise provided, see section
112 of Pub. L. 110–458, set out as a note under section 72
of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2006 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 109–280, title I, § 116(c), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat.
858, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this sec-
tion [amending this section] shall apply to transfers or
other reservation of assets after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act [Aug. 17, 2006].’’
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2005 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 109–135 effective as if included
in the provision of the American Jobs Creation Act of
2004, Pub. L. 108–357, to which such amendment relates,
see section 403(nn) of Pub. L. 109–135, set out as a note
under section 26 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, § 403(hh)(3)(A), Dec. 21, 2005,
119 Stat. 2631, provided that: ‘‘Notwithstanding section
885(d)(1) of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004
[Pub. L. 108–357, set out below], subsection (b) of sec-
tion 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall
take effect on January 1, 2005.’’
Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 885(d), Oct. 22, 2004, 118
Stat. 1640, provided that:
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by this sec-
tion [enacting this section and amending sections 3401,
6041, and 6051 of this title] shall apply to amounts de-
ferred after December 31, 2004.
‘‘(2) SPECIAL RULES.—
‘‘(A) EARNINGS.—The amendments made by this sec-
tion shall apply to earnings on deferred compensation
only to the extent that such amendments apply to
such compensation.
‘‘(B) MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS.—For purposes of this
subsection, amounts deferred in taxable years begin-
ning before January 1, 2005, shall be treated as
amounts deferred in a taxable year beginning on or
after such date if the plan under which the deferral is
made is materially modified after October 3, 2004, un-
less such modification is pursuant to the guidance
issued under subsection (f) [set out as a note below].
‘‘(3) EXCEPTION FOR NONELECTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSA-
TION.—The amendments made by this section shall not
apply to any nonelective deferred compensation to
which section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
does not apply by reason of section 457(e)(12) of such
Code, but only if such compensation is provided under
a nonqualified deferred compensation plan—
‘‘(A) which was in existence on May 1, 2004,
‘‘(B) which was providing nonelective deferred com-
pensation described in such section 457(e)(12) on such
date, and
‘‘(C) which is established or maintained by an orga-
nization incorporated on July 2, 1974.
If, after May 1, 2004, a plan described in the preceding
sentence adopts a plan amendment which provides a
material change in the classes of individuals eligible to
participate in the plan, this paragraph shall not apply
to any nonelective deferred compensation provided
under the plan on or after the date of the adoption of
the amendment.’’
APPLICABILITY OF AMENDMENTS BY SUBTITLES A AND B
OF TITLE I OF PUB. L. 109–280
For special rules on applicability of amendments by
subtitles A (§§ 101–108) and B (§§ 111–116) of title I of Pub.
L. 109–280 to certain eligible cooperative plans, PBGC
settlement plans, and eligible government contractor
plans, see sections 104, 105, and 106 of Pub. L. 109–280,
set out as notes under section 401 of this title.
GUIDANCE RELATING TO CONFORMANCE WITH FUNDING
RULES
Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, § 403(hh)(3)(B), Dec. 21, 2005,
119 Stat. 2631, provided that: ‘‘Not later than 90 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 21,
2005], the Secretary of the Treasury shall issue guid-
ance under which a nonqualified deferred compensation
plan which is in violation of the requirements of sec-
tion 409A(b) of such Code shall be treated as not having
violated such requirements if such plan comes into con-
formance with such requirements during such limited
period as the Secretary may specify in such guidance.’’
GUIDANCE RELATING TO CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP OR
CONTROL
Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 885(e), Oct. 22, 2004, 118
Stat. 1640, provided that: ‘‘Not later than 90 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 22, 2004], the
Secretary of the Treasury shall issue guidance on what
constitutes a change in ownership or effective control
for purposes of section 409A of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as added by this section.’’
GUIDANCE RELATING TO TERMINATION OF CERTAIN
EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS
Pub. L. 108–357, title VIII, § 885(f), Oct. 22, 2004, 118
Stat. 1641, as amended by Pub. L. 109–135, title IV,
§ 403(hh)(4), Dec. 21, 2005, 119 Stat. 2632, provided that:
‘‘Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act [Oct. 22, 2004], the Secretary of the Treasury
shall issue guidance providing a limited period during
which a nonqualified deferred compensation plan
adopted before January 1, 2005, may, without violating
the requirements of paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of sec-
tion 409A(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as
added by this section), be amended—
‘‘(1) to provide that a participant may terminate
participation in the plan, or cancel an outstanding
deferral election with regard to amounts deferred
after December 31, 2004, but only if amounts subject
to the termination or cancellation are includible in
income of the participant as earned (or, if later, when
no longer subject to substantial risk of forfeiture),
and
‘‘(2) to conform to the requirements of such section
409A with regard to amounts deferred after December
31, 2004.’’
SUBPART B—SPECIAL RULES
Sec.
410.
Minimum participation standards.
411.
Minimum vesting standards.
412.
Minimum funding standards.
413.
Collectively bargained plans, etc.
414.
Definitions and special rules.
Cross-references
Connections may be documented source relationships, shared citations or nearby passages. Each explains its basis; a connection alone does not establish applicability to your situation.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) Rules relating to constructive receipt**
(1) **Plan failures**
(A) *Gross income inclusion*
(i) *In general* — If at any time during a taxable year a nonqualified deferred compensation plan—
(I) fails to meet the requirements of paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), or
(II) is not operated in accordance with such requirements,
all compensation deferred under the plan for the taxable year and all preceding taxable years shall be includible in gross income for the taxable year to the extent not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture and not previously included in gross income.
(ii) *Application only to affected participants* — Clause (i) shall only apply with respect to all compensation deferred under the plan for participants with respect to whom the failure relates.
(B) *Interest and additional tax payable with respect to previously deferred compensation*
(i) *In general* — If compensation is required to be included in gross income under subparagraph (A) for a taxable year, the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year shall be increased by the sum of—
(I) the amount of interest determined under clause (ii), and
(II) an amount equal to 20 percent of the compensation which is required to be included in gross income.
(ii) *Interest* — For purposes of clause (i), the interest determined under this clause for any taxable year is the amount of interest at the underpayment rate plus 1 percentage point on the underpayments that would have occurred had the deferred compensation been includible in gross income for the taxable year in which first deferred or, if later, the first taxable year in which such deferred compensation is not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.
(2) **Distributions**
(A) *In
Source: Supplied U.S. Code snapshot — release unconfirmed · 26 U.S.C. § 409A
Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. Same stored citation; legal effect and authority still require review.