Deduction for contributions of an employer to an employees’ trust or annuity plan and compensation under a deferred-payment plan
General rule
If contributions are paid by an employer to or under a stock bonus, pension, profit-sharing, or annuity plan, or if compensation is paid or accrued on account of any employee under a plan deferring the receipt of such compensation, such contributions or compensation shall not be deductible under this chapter; but, if they would otherwise be deductible, they shall be deductible under this section, subject, however, to the following limitations as to the amounts deductible in any year:
Pension trusts
In general
In the taxable year when paid, if the contributions are paid into a pension trust (other than a trust to which paragraph (3) applies), and if such taxable year ends within or with a taxable year of the trust for which the trust is exempt under section 501(a), in the case of a defined benefit plan other than a multiemployer plan, in an amount determined under subsection (o), and in the case of any other plan in an amount determined as follows:
the amount necessary to satisfy the minimum funding standard provided by section 412(a) for plan years ending within or with such taxable year (or for any prior plan year), if such amount is greater than the amount determined under clause (ii) or (iii) (whichever is applicable with respect to the plan),
the amount necessary to provide with respect to all of the employees under the trust the remaining unfunded cost of their past and current service credits distributed as a level amount, or a level percentage of compensation, over the remaining future service of each such employee, as determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, but if such remaining unfunded cost with respect to any 3 individuals is more than 50 percent of such remaining unfunded cost, the amount of such unfunded cost attributable to such individuals shall be distributed over a period of at least 5 taxable years,
an amount equal to the normal cost of the plan, as determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, plus, if past service or other supplementary pension or annuity credits are provided by the plan, an amount necessary to amortize the unfunded costs attributable to such credits in equal annual payments (until fully amortized) over 10 years, as determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
In determining the amount deductible in such year under the foregoing limitations the funding method and the actuarial assumptions used shall be those used for such year under section 431, and the maximum amount deductible for such year shall be an amount equal to the full funding limitation for such year determined under section 431.
Special rule in case of certain amendments
In the case of a multiemployer plan which the Secretary of Labor finds to be collectively bargained which makes an election under this subparagraph (in such manner and at such time as may be provided under regulations prescribed by the Secretary), if the full funding limitation determined under section 431(c)(6) for such year is zero, if as a result of any plan amendment applying to such plan year, the amount determined under section 431(c)(6)(A)(ii) exceeds the amount determined under section 431(c)(6)(A)(i), and if the funding method and the actuarial assumptions used are those used for such year under section 431, the maximum amount deductible in such year under the limitations of this paragraph shall be an amount equal to the lesser of—
the full funding limitation for such year determined by applying section 431(c)(6) but increasing the amount referred to in subparagraph (A) thereof by the decrease in the present value of all unamortized liabilities resulting from such amendment, or
the normal cost under the plan reduced by the amount necessary to amortize in equal annual installments over 10 years (until fully amortized) the decrease described in clause (i).
In the case of any election under this subparagraph, the amount deductible under the limitations of this paragraph with respect to any of the plan years following the plan year for which such election was made shall be determined as provided under such regulations as may be prescribed by the Secretary to carry out the purposes of this subparagraph.
Certain collectively-bargained plans
Amount determined on basis of unfunded current liability
In the case of a defined benefit plan which is a multiemployer plan, except as provided in regulations, the maximum amount deductible under the limitations of this paragraph shall not be less than the excess (if any) of—
140 percent of the current liability of the plan determined under section 431(c)(6)(D), over
the value of the plan’s assets determined under section 431(c)(2).
Carryover
Employees’ annuities
Stock bonus and profit-sharing trusts
Limits on deductible contributions
In general
In the taxable year when paid, if the contributions are paid into a stock bonus or profit-sharing trust, and if such taxable year ends within or with a taxable year of the trust with respect to which the trust is exempt under section 501(a), in an amount not in excess of the greater of—
25 percent of the compensation otherwise paid or accrued during the taxable year to the beneficiaries under the stock bonus or profit-sharing plan, or
the amount such employer is required to contribute to such trust under section 401(k)(11) for such year.
Carryover of excess contributions
Certain retirement plans excluded
2 or more trusts treated as 1 trust
Defined contribution plans subject to the funding standards
Profit-sharing plan of affiliated group
Trusts created or organized outside the United States
Other plans
Time when contributions deemed made
Limitation on deductions where combination of defined contribution plan and defined benefit plan
In general
If amounts are deductible under the foregoing paragraphs of this subsection (other than paragraph (5)) in connection with 1 or more defined contribution plans and 1 or more defined benefit plans or in connection with trusts or plans described in 2 or more of such paragraphs, the total amount deductible in a taxable year under such plans shall not exceed the greater of—
25 percent of the compensation otherwise paid or accrued during the taxable year to the beneficiaries under such plans, or
the amount of contributions made to or under the defined benefit plans to the extent such contributions do not exceed the amount of employer contributions necessary to satisfy the minimum funding standard provided by section 412 with respect to any such defined benefit plans for the plan year which ends with or within such taxable year (or for any prior plan year).
A defined contribution plan which is a pension plan shall not be treated as failing to provide definitely determinable benefits merely by limiting employer contributions to amounts deductible under this section. In the case of a defined benefit plan which is a single employer plan, the amount necessary to satisfy the minimum funding standard provided by section 412 shall not be less than the excess (if any) of the plan’s funding target (as defined in section 430(d)(1)) over the value of the plan’s assets (as determined under section 430(g)(3)).
Carryover of contributions in excess of the deductible limit
Paragraph not to apply in certain cases
Beneficiary test
Elective deferrals
Limitation
In the case of employer contributions to 1 or more defined contribution plans—
if such contributions do not exceed 6 percent of the compensation otherwise paid or accrued during the taxable year to the beneficiaries under such plans, this paragraph shall not apply to such contributions or to employer contributions to the defined benefit plans to which this paragraph would otherwise apply by reason of contributions to the defined contribution plans, and
if such contributions exceed 6 percent of such compensation, this paragraph shall be applied by only taking into account such contributions to the extent of such excess.
For purposes of this clause, amounts carried over from preceding taxable years under subparagraph (B) shall be treated as employer contributions to 1 or more defined contributions plans to the extent attributable to employer contributions to such plans in such preceding taxable years.
Guaranteed plans
Multiemployer plans
Insurance contract plans
Self-employed individuals
In the case of a plan included in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) which provides contributions or benefits for employees some or all of whom are employees within the meaning of section 401(c)(1), for purposes of this section—
the term “employee” includes an individual who is an employee within the meaning of section 401(c)(1), and the employer of such individual is the person treated as his employer under section 401(c)(4);
the term “earned income” has the meaning assigned to it by section 401(c)(2);
the contributions to such plan on behalf of an individual who is an employee within the meaning of section 401(c)(1) shall be considered to satisfy the conditions of section 162 or 212 to the extent that such contributions do not exceed the earned income of such individual (determined without regard to the deductions allowed by this section) derived from the trade or business with respect to which such plan is established, and to the extent that such contributions are not allocable (determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary) to the purchase of life, accident, health, or other insurance; and
any reference to compensation shall, in the case of an individual who is an employee within the meaning of section 401(c)(1), be considered to be a reference to the earned income of such individual derived from the trade or business with respect to which the plan is established.
Certain contributions to employee stock ownership plans
Principal payments
Interest payment
S corporations
Qualified gratuitous transfers
Contributions by certain ministers to retirement income accounts
In the case of contributions made by a minister described in section 414(e)(5) to a retirement income account described in section 403(b)(9) and not by a person other than such minister, such contributions—
shall be treated as made to a trust which is exempt from tax under section 501(a) and which is part of a plan which is described in section 401(a), and
shall be deductible under this subsection to the extent such contributions do not exceed the limit on elective deferrals under section 402(g) or the limit on annual additions under section 415.
For purposes of this paragraph, all plans in which the minister is a participant shall be treated as one plan.
Determinations relating to deferred compensation
For purposes of determining under this section—
whether compensation of an employee is deferred compensation; and
when deferred compensation is paid,
no amount shall be treated as received by the employee, or paid, until it is actually received by the employee.
Definition of compensation
Method of contributions, etc., having the effect of a plan; certain deferred benefits
Method of contributions, etc., having the effect of a plan
If—
there is no plan, but
there is a method or arrangement of employer contributions or compensation which has the effect of a stock bonus, pension, profit-sharing, or annuity plan, or other plan deferring the receipt of compensation (including a plan described in paragraph (2)),
subsection (a) shall apply as if there were such a plan.
Plans providing certain deferred benefits
In general
Exception
Certain negotiated plans
If contributions are paid by an employer—
under a plan under which such contributions are held in trust for the purpose of paying (either from principal or income or both) for the benefit of employees and their families and dependents at least medical or hospital care, or pensions on retirement or death of employees; and
such plan was established prior to
such contributions shall not be deductible under this section nor be made nondeductible by this section, but the deductibility thereof shall be governed solely by section 162 (relating to trade or business expenses). For purposes of this chapter and subtitle B, in the case of any individual who before
such individual, if he is or was an employee within the meaning of section 401(c)(1), shall be treated (with respect to service covered by the plan) as being an employee other than an employee within the meaning of section 401(c)(1) and as being an employee of a participating employer under the plan,
earnings derived from service covered by the plan shall be treated as not being earned income within the meaning of section 401(c)(2), and
such individual shall be treated as an employee of a participating employer under the plan with respect to service before
Section 277 (relating to deductions incurred by certain membership organizations in transactions with members) does not apply to any trust described in this subsection. The first and third sentences of this subsection shall have no application with respect to amounts contributed to a trust on or after any date on which such trust is qualified for exemption from tax under section 501(a).
Deductibility of payments of deferred compensation, etc., to independent contractors
If a plan would be described in so much of subsection (a) as precedes paragraph (1) thereof (as modified by subsection (b)) but for the fact that there is no employer-employee relationship, the contributions or compensation—
shall not be deductible by the payor thereof under this chapter, but
shall (if they would be deductible under this chapter but for paragraph (1)) be deductible under this subsection for the taxable year in which an amount attributable to the contribution or compensation is includible in the gross income of the persons participating in the plan.
Contributions allocable to life insurance protection for self-employed individuals
Repealed. Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title VII, § 713(b)(3), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 957]
Certain employer liability payments considered as contributions
In general
Controlled group deductions
Timing of deduction of contributions
In general
Contributions under standard terminations
Contributions to certain trusts
References to Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
Special rules for simplified employee pensions
In general
Employer contributions to a simplified employee pension shall be treated as if they are made to a plan subject to the requirements of this section. Employer contributions to a simplified employee pension are subject to the following limitations:
Contributions made for a year are deductible—
in the case of a simplified employee pension maintained on a calendar year basis, for the taxable year with or within which the calendar year ends, or
in the case of a simplified employee pension which is maintained on the basis of the taxable year of the employer, for such taxable year.
Contributions shall be treated for purposes of this subsection as if they were made for a taxable year if such contributions are made on account of such taxable year and are made not later than the time prescribed by law for filing the return for such taxable year (including extensions thereof).
The amount deductible in a taxable year for a simplified employee pension shall not exceed 25 percent of the compensation paid to the employees during the calendar year ending with or within the taxable year (or during the taxable year in the case of a taxable year described in subparagraph (A)(ii)). The excess of the amount contributed over the amount deductible for a taxable year shall be deductible in the succeeding taxable years in order of time, subject to the 25 percent limit of the preceding sentence.
Effect on certain trusts
Coordination with subsection (a)(7)
[(i) Repealed. Pub. L. 99–514, title XI, § 1171(b)(6),
Special rules relating to application with section 415
No deduction in excess of section 415 limitation
In computing the amount of any deduction allowable under paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (7), or (9) of subsection (a) for any year—
in the case of a defined benefit plan, there shall not be taken into account any benefits for any year in excess of any limitation on such benefits under section 415 for such year, or
in the case of a defined contribution plan, the amount of any contributions otherwise taken into account shall be reduced by any annual additions in excess of the limitation under section 415 for such year.
No advance funding of cost-of-living adjustments
Deduction for dividends paid on certain employer securities
General rule
Applicable dividend
For purposes of this subsection—
In general
The term “applicable dividend” means any dividend which, in accordance with the plan provisions—
is paid in cash to the participants in the plan or their beneficiaries,
is paid to the plan and is distributed in cash to participants in the plan or their beneficiaries not later than 90 days after the close of the plan year in which paid,
is, at the election of such participants or their beneficiaries—
payable as provided in clause (i) or (ii), or
paid to the plan and reinvested in qualifying employer securities, or
is used to make payments on a loan described in subsection (a)(9) the proceeds of which were used to acquire the employer securities (whether or not allocated to participants) with respect to which the dividend is paid.
Limitation on certain dividends
Applicable employer securities
For purposes of this subsection, the term “applicable employer securities” means, with respect to any dividend, employer securities which are held on the record date for such dividend by an employee stock ownership plan which is maintained by—
the corporation paying such dividend, or
any other corporation which is a member of a controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of section 409(l)(4)) which includes such corporation.
Time for deduction
In general
Reinvestment dividends
Repayment of loans
Other rules
For purposes of this subsection—
Disallowance of deduction
Plan qualification
Definitions
For purposes of this subsection—
Employer securities
Employee stock ownership plan
Full vesting
Limitation on amount of annual compensation taken into account
Special rules for simple retirement accounts
In general
Timing
Deduction
Contributions after end of year
Elective deferrals not taken into account for purposes of deduction limits
Deduction limit for single-employer plans
For purposes of subsection (a)(1)(A)—
In general
In the case of a defined benefit plan to which subsection (a)(1)(A) applies (other than a multiemployer plan), the amount determined under this subsection for any taxable year shall be equal to the greater of—
the sum of the amounts determined under paragraph (2) with respect to each plan year ending with or within the taxable year, or
the sum of the minimum required contributions under section 430 for such plan years.
Determination of amount
In general
The amount determined under this paragraph for any plan year shall be equal to the excess (if any) of—
the sum of—
the funding target for the plan year,
the target normal cost for the plan year, and
the cushion amount for the plan year, over
the value (determined under section 430(g)(3)) of the assets of the plan which are held by the plan as of the valuation date for the plan year.
Special rule for certain employers
If section 430(i) does not apply to a plan for a plan year, the amount determined under subparagraph (A)(i) for the plan year shall in no event be less than the sum of—
the funding target for the plan year (determined as if section 430(i) applied to the plan), plus
the target normal cost for the plan year (as so determined).
Cushion amount
For purposes of paragraph (2)(A)(i)(III)—
In general
The cushion amount for any plan year is the sum of—
50 percent of the funding target for the plan year, and
the amount by which the funding target for the plan year would increase if the plan were to take into account—
increases in compensation which are expected to occur in succeeding plan years, or
if the plan does not base benefits for service to date on compensation, increases in benefits which are expected to occur in succeeding plan years (determined on the basis of the average annual increase in benefits over the 6 immediately preceding plan years).
Limitations
In general
Expected increases
Special rules for plans with 100 or fewer participants
In general
Rule for determining number of participants
Special rule for terminating plans
Actuarial assumptions
Definitions
Source
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 138; Pub. L. 85–866, title I, § 24,Notes
Inflation Adjusted Items for Certain Years
References in Text
Amendments
Effective Date of 2012 Amendment
In general.—
The amendments made by this section [amending this section, sections 417, 420 and 430 of this title, and sections 1021, 1055, 1083, 1306, and 1310 of Title 29, Labor, and enacting provisons set out as a note under section 1021 of Title 29] shall apply with respect to plan years beginning after
Rules with respect to elections.—
Adjusted funding target attainment percentage.—
A plan sponsor may elect not to have the amendments made by this section apply to any plan year beginning before
for all purposes for which such amendments apply, or
solely for purposes of determining the adjusted funding target attainment percentage under sections 436 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and 206(g) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [29 U.S.C. 1056(g)] for such plan year.
A plan shall not be treated as failing to meet the requirements of sections 204(g) of such Act [29 U.S.C. 1054(g)] and 411(d)(6) of such Code solely by reason of an election under this paragraph.
Opt out of existing elections.—
If, on the date of the enactment of this Act [
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 404A of this title] shall apply to years beginning after
Special rules.—
The amendments made by subsection (d) [amending this section] shall apply to years beginning after
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the amendments made by this section [amending this section, sections 412 and 415 of this title, and sections 1082 and 1306 of Title 29, Labor] shall apply to plan years beginning after
Lookback rules.—
For purposes of applying subsections (d)(9)(B)(ii) and (e)(1) of section 302 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [29 U.S.C. 1082(d)(9)(B)(ii), (e)(1)] and subsections (l)(9)(B)(ii) and (m)(1) of [former] section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to plan years beginning after
Transition rule for section 415 limitation.—
In the case of any participant or beneficiary receiving a distribution after
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Effective Date of 2001 Amendment
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
In general.—
The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years ending after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Change in method of accounting.—
In the case of any taxpayer required by the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] to change its method of accounting for its first taxable year ending after the date of the enactment of this Act [
such change shall be treated as initiated by the taxpayer,
such change shall be treated as made with the consent of the Secretary of the Treasury; and
the net amount of the adjustments required to be taken into account by the taxpayer under section 481 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be taken into account ratably over the 3-taxable year period beginning with such first taxable year.”
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Effective Date of 1993 Amendment
Effective Date of 1992 Amendment
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
In general.—
The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to employer securities acquired after
Securities acquired with certain loans.—
The amendment made by this section shall not apply to employer securities acquired after
with the proceeds of any loan which was made pursuant to a binding written commitment in effect on
pursuant to a written binding contract (or tender offer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission) in effect on
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 412 of this title and section 1082 of Title 29, Labor] shall apply to years beginning after
Amortization of gains and losses.—
Sections 412(b)(2)(B)(iv) and 412(b)(3)(B)(ii) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and sections 302(b)(2)(B)(iv) and 302(b)(3)(B)(ii) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [29 U.S.C. 1082(b)(2)(B)(iv), (3)(B)(ii)] (as amended by paragraphs (1)(A) and (2)(A) of subsection (a)) shall apply to gains and losses established in years beginning after
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [enacting section 4972 of this title and amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after
Special rules for collective bargaining agreements.—
In the case of a plan maintained pursuant to 1 or more collective bargaining agreements between employee representatives and 1 or more employers ratified before
the date on which the last of such collective bargaining agreements terminates (determined without regard to any extension thereof after
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
In general.—
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 162 of this title] shall apply to amounts paid or incurred after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Exception for certain extended vacation pay plans.—
In the case of any extended vacation pay plan maintained pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement—
between employee representatives and 1 or more employers, and
in effect on
the amendments made by this section shall not apply before the date on which such collective bargaining agreement terminates (determined without regard to any extension thereof agreed to after
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Effective Date of 1980 Amendments
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to deductions for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1978.
Special rule for certain title insurance companies.—
In general.—In the case of a qualified title insurance company plan, the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to deductions for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1979.
Qualified title insurance company plan.—For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term ‘qualified title insurance company plan’ means a plan of a qualified title insurance company—
which defers the payment of amounts credited by such company to separate accounts for members of such company in consideration of their issuance of policies of title insurance, and
under which no part of such amounts is payable to or withdrawable by the members until after the period for the adverse possession of real property under applicable State law.
Qualified title insurance company.—For purposes of subparagraph (B), the term ‘qualified title insurance company’ means an unincorporated title insurance company organized as a business trust—
which is engaged in the business of providing title insurance coverage on interests in and liens upon real property obtained by clients of the members of such company, and
which is subject to tax under section 831 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954].”
Effective Date of 1976 Amendments
Effective Date of 1974 Amendment
Effective Date of 1969 Amendment
Effective Date of 1966 Amendment
Effective Date of 1962 Amendments
Effective Date of 1958 Amendment
Regulations
Savings Provision
Clarification of Treatment of Contributions to Multiemployer Plan
Not Considered Method of Accounting.—
For purposes of section 446 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, a determination under section 404(a)(6) of such Code regarding the taxable year with respect to which a contribution to a multiemployer pension plan is deemed made shall not be treated as a method of accounting of the taxpayer. No deduction shall be allowed for any taxable year for any contribution to a multiemployer pension plan with respect to which a deduction was previously allowed.
Regulations.—
The Secretary of the Treasury shall promulgate such regulations as necessary to clarify that a taxpayer shall not be allowed an aggregate amount of deductions for contributions to a multiemployer pension plan which exceeds the amount of such contributions made or deemed made under section 404(a)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to such plan.
Effective Date.—
Subsection (a), and any regulations promulgated under subsection (b), shall be effective for years ending after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1998
Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1994
Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989
Coordination of Repeals of Certain Sections
Deductibility of Payments to Plan by Corporation Operating Public Transportation System Acquired by State
For purposes of subsection (g) of section 404 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] (relating to certain employer liability payments considered as contributions), as amended by section 205 of this Act, any payment made to a plan covering employees of a corporation operating a public transportation system shall be treated as a payment described in paragraph (1) of such subsection if—
such payment is made to fund accrued benefits under the plan in conjunction with an acquisition by a State (or agency or instrumentality thereof) of the stock or assets of such corporation, and
such acquisition is pursuant to a State public transportation law enacted after
The provisions of this section shall apply to payments made after
Year of Deduction for Certain Employer Contributions for Severance Payments Required by Foreign Law
an employer is engaged in a trade or business in a foreign country,
such employer is required by the laws of that country to make payments, based on periods of service, to its employees or their beneficiaries after the employees’ retirement, death, or other separation from the service, and
such employer establishes a trust (whether organized within or outside the United States) for the purpose of funding the payments required by such law,
then, in determining for purposes of paragraph (5) of section 404(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] the taxable year in which any contribution to or under the plan is includible in the gross income of the nonresident alien employees of such employer, such paragraph (5) shall be treated as not requiring that separate accounts be maintained for such nonresident alien employees.”